In his eyes

I see a gentle glow

And that's where I'll be safe

I know

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Chapter 11 - In His Eyes

Hiko decided that he didn't want us to leave when we had planned. We were standing outside, packing our things in the carriage, when he came out through the front doors.

"Where do you think you're going, baka-deshi? The holidays are just two weeks away. What's the point of leaving if you're just going to come right back?"

"But shishou, I wanted to spend that time at home," Kenshin responded.

"Nonsense! We're family, and you have to be here. I don't want to have to explain to all the nobles why you weren't attending the major galas, including our own. They'll just make up some rumor that you and your chit eloped, which would not look good on our family name. Which reminds me, have you set a date yet?"

"We just got engaged, Hiko-san. We haven't really thought about it much," I intervened, seeing that Kenshin was getting frustrated with Hiko.

"Well, you should figure it out soon. We have to make all the necessary arrangements and I need to know how much time we have."

His statement made me think that he was going to take over the whole shebang. That was alright with me. It gave me less things to worry about. Although, I do hope I get to choose my own dress. I don't think I would trust an outfit picked by Hiko.

"We'll discuss it and get back to you," I replied.

"Good. The first ball is at the Jones estate next Tuesday. The last one is here on Christmas Eve. I expect you to have a date chosen by then." Hiko then turned and began to walk back towards the mansion.

"Shishou! We never agreed to stay!" Kenshin practically yelled.

Hiko stopped, and turned his head to look back at him, a glint in his eye. "Oh, but I think you will."

"And why is that?"

"Because if you don't, I'll just have to fill in Kaoru about your childhood, beginning with the time you tried to escape afternoon tea with the duchess of Kent's daughter and ended up losing your pants in a tree when you..."

"We'll stay!" Kenshin grabbed my hand and raced us back inside the house.

And that is how we ended up staying for another two weeks.

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There were four balls to attend total, and the first three went off without a hitch, aside from Enishi constantly harassing me when Kenshin was not present. The last of the formal parties was at Hiko's estate on Christmas Eve. His entire staff had been decorating the entire mansion for the past week, and they did a magnificent job. There were eight decorated trees in the ballroom, two were in the foyer, and one in the sitting room. All the banisters to the staircases had boughs of holly swirling around them, which were tied together by big, red bows. The candles that were lit in the halls were changed from white wax to alternating red and green, and every door in the house had a wreath.

I was standing next to my bed, where I had two dresses laid out, trying to decide which one to wear, when there was a knock on my door. "Come in," I called absent mindedly.

"You know, one of these times you're going to allow some strange man inside your room because you won't come and open the door first," Kenshin said as he entered. He kept one hand behind his back.

"I'll answer it next time, and then I won't allow you in. You're the strangest person I've ever met. I don't think it's normal to have someone else living inside you," I said playfully.

He chuckled at my response. "Indeed. What are you up to?" he asked, glancing at the bed.

"I'm trying to figure out which one to wear. I like the midnight blue one, but the green one is nice too."

"Why don't you wear the red one?" he asked.

"i don't have a red one," I replied puzzled.

"Are you sure?" he said teasingly. He then produced a box from behind his back and handed it to me. I opened it, revealing a beautiful red and pale gold silk dress.

"Oh, Kenshin," I breathed. "It's lovely."

"It will look even more lovely on you. Go try it on," he said.

I pulled the dress out of the box and went into my private bathroom to change. I thought I heard my bedroom door open and close, but then I still felt Kenshin's presence, so I knew he hadn't left. I shrugged it off and continued to dress. I emerged from the bathroom five minutes later, and twirled around for Kenshin. He laughed at my childish antics. He came towards me and embraced me. "You look absolutely stunning," he whispered in my ear. I blushed at that.

The dress had long sleeves that rested on my shoulders and hugged my arms, but stilled allowed movement. The top cut across my chest, just below my collarbone, and had a wide pale gold ribbon that wrapped around just below my bust and tied in a small bow in the back. It hugged all my curves in front, but the back had a slit that started from my waist, which opened into a train of pale gold fabric with little red poinsettias decorating the outline.

"Thank you, Kenshin," I said smiling.

"You're welcome, Kaoru," he replied, returning my smile. "I best be going. I need to get ready myself! I'll return in a half an hour to escort you." He then gave a light kiss, and left.

I returned to my vanity and was about to fix my hair, when I noticed two boxes on the desk in front of me. One was long and thin, the other, small and square. I opened the long one first, and gasped at the pearl necklace inside. It was more of a choker, and had little x's between two strings of pearls. Each x was made of small pearls and a diamond in the center. I placed that box down and opened the other. This one cantained teardrop shaped pearl earrings that dangled from diamond studs.

I looked at the clock and realized that twenty minutes had past, meaning Kenshin would be here in ten! I hurriedly put my hair into a simple bun, put on a light bit of make-up, and then donned the jewelry. I then noticed that I hadn't picked out a pair of shoes, so I began to rummage through my closet. I heard a knock on my door, and gave Kenshin a harried, "Come in!" When he entered, I was on my hands and knees, the upper part of my body in the closet and the lower half out in the room.

"Although the view is wonderful, may I ask what it is you are doing?" Kenshin inquired amused.

I sat back on my knees and huffed out, "I'm looking for a suitable pair of shoes, you hentai!"

Kenshin just chuckled. "I already picked out some. Didn't you notice the white box on the side of your vanity?"

"I looked in the direction he pointed, and saw a white box leaning against my desk. I went over and opened it, revealing a pair of pale gold slippers. I put them on, and sighed in contentment. They were very comfortable, and I knew I wasn't going to have any problems with sore feet tonight. Remembering my ordeal from a few minutes ago, I glared at Kenshin and said, "Why didn't you tell me earlier?!"

"And miss the opportunity to see you so frazzled? I think not!" he replied with a smirk. I stuck my tongue out at him and he just laughed at my behavior. "We'll have time to play that game later," he said.

"Kenshin!" I gaped at him.

"What?" he asked, seemingly innocent. "We should get going. We don't want to be too late."

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The evening was very pleasant. I spoke all of our guests, informing them that Kenshin and I had chosen our wedding date, May fourteenth. I spent most of my time with Emma Jones. She was like me, not a true noble, but she married one. It was love at first sight for them, and he did everything he could to get his family to approve of her. It was such a romantic story, and I am so happy for both of them. Just by looking at the way they stole glances at each other, I knew that they adored one another. They have been married for eight years now, and yet, they still act like newlyweds. I hope Kenshin and I are like that later down the road.

It was about eleven o'clock when Enishi decided to ruin my night. Once again, he made sure Kenshin wasn't anywhere in sight, and he began to rant once again, about how Kenshin could do better.

"You know, this is getting really old, don't you have anything else to say?" I drawled.

"I just don't see how one of the wealthiest men in all of England can throw everything away for some street trash!"

"You know, it seems to me that you are jealous. Are you in love with Kenshin, perhaps?" I said, my voice dripping in sarcasm. That made him irate.

"I am not interested in men, least of all Kenshin! Why would he choose an ugly duckling when he can have a swan like my sister!"

Ah, I get it now. I've heard from the other nobles that the Yukishiro's fortune had been wiped out. They only remain as nobles due to their heritage. They had to fire all of their servants and sell most of their belongings. It seems Enishi wanted his sister to marry Kenshin so she would be financially stable. I can understand that, but that doesn't give him the right to disparage me!

"I'm leaving,"Enishi said, and quickly vacated the room.

I sighed and gazed at the wine in the glass I was holding. At least I didn't have to deal with him for the rest of the night, but his words made me think. Was I really worthy of Kenshin? He could have any woman he wanted, someone graceful, intelligent, and refined. Yet, he chose me. Why?

"Penny for your thoughts?" Kenshin's voice broke my musings.

"Sorry, they're worth more than that," I replied, raising my head.

"I see. Perhaps a short walk outside will suffice as payment?" he said, smiling.

"That sounds lovely, but we still have guests."

"They are all leaving. It is rather late, almost midnight in fact, so they want to get home before it's officially Christmas morning."

"Ah, I see. Then let's take that walk."

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We were walking in the gardens, even though all the plants were dead, aside from the evergreen brushes. My hand was in its usual spot, in the crook of Kenshin's arm, with his free hand on top of it.

"May I inquire as to what is troubling you?" he asked.

"It's nothing really. I'm just feeling a bit insecure I guess."

We had reached the center of the garden where the four tiered fountain was. Kenshin took his free hand, took hold of my chin, and turned my face toward him.

"Why?" he asked softly.

"That's what I want to ask you. Why me? You could have any beautiful, refined, graceful woman, and yet you picked me. It just doesn't make any sense!" My eyes were beginning to well with tears. Kenshin leaned forward and kissed away some of the salty rain and brushed away the rest.

"I don't want those qualities in a woman. I want someone who is able to stand up for themselves. I want someone who is not afraid to hit me, or tell me I am wrong. I want someone who accepts me for all that I am, good and bad. I want you, Kaoru," he whispered. I could see the truth behind his words in his eyes. I couldn't help but cry even more, which caused him to wrap his arms around me in a tight embrace. The clock struck midnight, signalling it was Christmas morning. Kenshin pulled back slightly and grabbed something from his inside coat pocket.

"I think it's about time I gave you this," he said with a smile. He handed me the small velvet box. I opened it and gasped. Inside was a beautiful diamond ring. The center had a white diamond and there were two small sapphires on either side. It looked worn, but still very appealing to the eye.

"It was my mother's ring," he said while putting it on my finger.

"It's beautiful. Thank you for trusting me with it," I said in awe.

"Thank you for accepting it," he replied. He then bent down and kissed me. He pulled back and placed his cheek next to mine, then whispered in my ear,"I love you."

"I love you too," I whispered back.

"Merry Christmas, my sweet Kaoru."

"Merry Christmas, my darling Kenshin."

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A/N I know, it's out of season, but hey, thinking about the cold cools me off, and I need it with this heat!