Epilogue:
1 Year Later
Painted skies.
I've seen so many that cannot compare
to your ocean eyes.
The pictures you took
that cover your room,
and it was just like the sun
but more like the moon.
A light that can reach it all.
So now I'm branded for taking the fall.
Ohh...
So when you say forever,
can't you see
you've already captured me.
Karou stood on the side of the stage, beaming with pride at her boyfriend as he finished singing the last part of the song he wrote for her. Entitled "Sun and Moon" after her heart felt confession to him in her hospital bed. It had been a year since that day and it managed to bring the two of them closer together. He was at the piano and while he always was on the guitar in concert, he said this song was special so it had to be performed special.
After that day, Karou and Kenshin's relationship was more solid than ever. Kenshin had all of Karou's things moved into his place and they had been living together since, even though lately they haven't been able to really enjoy it. Two months later, they were rehersing the new routines and songs for the country-wide tour. At the beginning they clashed over creative differences as Kenshin would try to be helpful but Karou would shut him down. Eventually, he promised to stay out of the dancing iand just focus on music; it had been smooth sailing since. Karou hired aslew of dancers for the tour including Misao who was thrilled to be close to her Aoshi and he in retrned seemed please with the arrangement as well. When not at a show, you never saw the two come out of their room.
Kenshin had been super protective of her once the press got word of their relationship and surprisingly it was well received by most of the public. Enishi was sent to a mental institution indefinitely and the two were finally at peace with their ordeal. They had now been on tour for about 5 months and it was slowly coming to a close. Karou found herself ping pong between two emotions, sadness and happiness. Happiness she and Kenshin would get to have more alone time together and a more normal life and sadness over the end of their fun. It was her best work. The dancing and choreography of the tour were being well received by critics and the three music videos they shot were constant VH1 top 20 videos. Karou was living the dream and the best part was she got to live it with Kenshin.
Karou looked around the stage to see where her new family were scattered about. She saw Misao off stretching for the finale while Aoshi pretending to be on the phone was ogling her rear. After about 2 minutes, he reached forward and gave her a hard pinch on her butt causing her to yelp and cover her mouth. Playfully fuming she jumped on his lap and began kissing him gently. They planned to move in together once the tour was over.
Looking around she spotted Sano whispering sweetly into her sister Megumi's ear. Karou still couldn't believe those two were together nor could she forget how she and everyone else found out. The day before they were leaving on tour, Karou wanted to stop by her sister's house to convince her to go out to dinner. Using the key she had they all went into the apartment to find a naked Megumi flat on her back on her kitchen counter while Sano's face was in between her legs. Stunned and embarrassed the two quickly got dressed and soon confessed that they had been secretly dating for months and were planning on tell everyone when things calmed down. Karou was happy for her sister, but she wished she could get the image out of her brain permanently. Megumi was a frequent visitor on the tour, Sano flying her out to whatever location they were in once she had a day off or two. She could only assume that it cost Sano a fortune doing that so many times and Megumi did offer to buy her own flight or drive, but Sano wouldn't hear of it saying that seeing her whenever he wanted was worth it.
Karou turned her attention back to stage. Kenshin had hit the last note and the crowd went wild.
"Thank you everyone! You've been a great audience tonight. That song was called Sun and Moon which I worte a year ago for the love of my life. Now usually this is the time of the show where we play the last song and head home." Karou laughed when she heard boos. Same thing every night, she thought.
"However, if you'll indulge me a little, tonight I want to do something special." Karou was confused and looked over at Aoshi and Sano, who both gave her a sheepish shrug and mouthing "I don't know" but Karou wasn't buying it.
"Karou?" she heard Kenshin say on stage. She looked back to see him calling her out on stage. This was absolutely not a part of the set list. Karou was nervous.
Walking out on stage, the crowd went crazy. She waved, a little embarrassed to be in her finale costume of a show tight leather dress and hot pink leather jacket with hot pink heels to match.
Crushing her into a hug, Kenshin leaned into whisper to her, "Don't worry you'll be happy after this." He winked at her and turned to address the audience.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this gorgeous woman is the love of my life, Karou." The audience roared with applause and Kenshin continued, "This woman is the reason why I write beautiful music and if you'll allow me I have a special song I'd like to play for her tonight. She's never heard it before. So I'd like to debate this new song for both her and you tonight. Would that be ok?"
The audience erupted with applause once more and Karou stood blushing. "I wrote this for you koishi. I want you to be here as I play it." Karou nodded tentatively and nervously as Kenshin placed her in a stool that sat beside his where his guitar was.
"Ladies and gentle and Karou, I present to you, "Who Needs Air" With that guitar began to strum and sang her new song to her.
I long to taste adventure like the nature of the sea, And I stand alone before the night. I'm drowning, but I don't care, My addiction to danger like the rush of the sea, I'm drowning, but I don't care, So take me down to the river like a little child, I'm drowning, but I don't care, I'm drowning, but I don't care, I'm drowning, but I don't care, I don't need air
Always moving, always hiding all the creatures from beneath.
Singing silent songs of sadness my heart waits for its chance,
To dance upon the ashes of my burned up little plans.
My nakedness is so clear in the glow of the moonlight.
Life is old but so short.
We are young, we want more.
'Cause when you got what I got, what I got
Who needs air?
I don't need air.
Like a wave on the rocks the lessons crash down on me.
I don't need to prove the world to you only to myself.
So step back and look away as I dive into the swell.
'Cause when you got what I got, what I got
Who needs air?
And take my hand and tell me it's okay to be wild.
I never knew the world until I saw through your eyes,
I never knew myself until I ripped off my disguise
(I ripped off my disguise).
'Cause when you got what I got, what I got
Who needs air?
'Cause when you got what I got, what I got
Who needs air?
(I have come to the realization that life is more than what I have accomplished.
And life is more then the realization that we have accomplished nothing at all.)
'Cause when you got what I got, what I got
I don't need air
(True success is so selfless so drown in the lyrics
of your life and give up the air that you breathe.
You don't need anything. You don't need anything.)
Tears rolled down Karou's cheeks as she closed her eyes and listened to Kenshin speak to her through his music. She was so in love with him and she would love to spend the rest of her life with him. She knew she would love him forever.
When Kenshin finished the crowd went wild. Karou opened her eyes to see KEnshin, not sitting on his stool, but bent down on one knee with a gorgeous pink diamond ring in his hands. Karou gasped and covered her mouth with her hands; unable to stop the tears. Kenshin brought the mic to his lips.
"Karou, like the song says, I don't need air. I don't need water. I don't need anything but you in my life. I love you more than anything on this earth. I would have nothing if I didn't have you. Will you please keep me a happy man and marry me Karou." Karou couldn't speak as she was in shock. Kenshin smiled at her warmly as the audience started chanting "Say Yes, Say Yes, Say Yes."
Karous finally gained her composure and smiled at Kenshin and loked off stage at her family. They were all beaming and waiting impatiently for her to give an answer.
Looking back at Kenshin's warm eyes, his beautiful smile and his handsome face, she knew there could be only one answer. "Yes Kenshin."
Everyone went wild as Kenshin slipped on her ring and pulled her into a passionate kiss.
"I love you so much koishi, thank you." He said to her.
She shook her head, "no Kenshin. Thank you for everything you gave me and continue to give me."
When they kissed again everyone screamed, but the two of them were lost in their own world. As they two hearts merged and began to make music that could only be heard just for them.
****Disclaimer: I do not own any of the music used in this chapter.
The first song is called: "Sun and Moon" by Mae
The last song is called "Who Needs Air" by The Classic Crime.***