A/N: This is it! Final chapter. So sorry this took so long. But anyway, here it is :)


Your Smile in August

Epilogue


She still had her junihitoe on from the dance, but she had already washed off the ridiculous amounts of white make-up when he met her by the river, a paper lantern in hand.

"Okaeri," she smiled,

"Tadaima." He answered.

He looked beyond the laughing crowd to the toro nagashi. In a little bit the event would come to a conclusion. It was nearing midnight, and they would close off the river area to conclude the event.

"Since when did you arrive?" Her gaze shifted back to the candle-lit waters, her eyes reflecting the pinpoint flame's glow.

"Three hours ago."

"Oh, so you saw my little presentation? How did I do?" She gave him a sidelong glance.

"Of course," he settled close beside her, "You were amazing."

She huffed proudly. They stood there in companionable silence for a while, staring at the hundred floating lanterns.

"How was New York? It looked like you had been busy, so I didn't bother you. I heard you quit your job and sold your property... what's up with that?"

Kenshin smiled. "I'm relocating."

"Where?"

"Here."

"In Tokyo?"

Kenshin nodded his head.

From beside him, Kaoru whistled. "That's a big move. Why the sudden decision? Did you hate the weather? Did it become too crowded for you?" She turned to him, "Did you meet someone...?" She laughed, "In the meantime, do you need a place to stay?"

"No, I've planned this move deliberately. I have all my ducks in a row. Don't worry about me."

"Tch, you just have to be Mister Perfect all the time, don't you?" she teased, bringing her gaze back to the river, unaware of the intense stare from the redhead beside her.

"How about you? How have you been, Kaoru?" He remained perfectly still, holding his secret gaze: Her pretty smile, her blushing cheeks, how strands of her hair swayed beautifully as she moved...

"Busy," she hummed, "Our hotels switched caterers two weeks ago. It was a recommendation from Ue-sama."

"Oh?" he leaned closer, a silent cue for her to continue.

"It's a significant change, but we thought it would be for the better. I'm excited, though. They're a five- star business, family-owned, and they've been in the international market for quite a while.

I'm actually meeting their CEO tomorrow. It's my first time seeing him, but you might know him pretty well.

He's Mr. Yukishiro... Tomoe's younger brother."

She sighed in feigned exhaustion. It was a good thing she didn't turn to look at her companion, because she might have seen the very noticeable change in Kenshin's cool temperament.

"I don't really know why Ue-sama is so adamant that I meet this man. He's been so weird, always trying to point out the fact that this person is an "eligible bachelor". He even arranged for Mr. Yukishiro to stay in the main house so I could closely "accommodate" him..."

Kenshin chuckled. So Makoto finally brings out his second candidate...

"Hit me with your best shot, Makoto," Kenshin murmured, a grin forming on his lips. "No way I'm losing her again."

"Uh, what did you say?" Kaoru turned to him.

"Hmmm?" He smiled brightly.

"I thought I heard you say something..." she waited, but was only rewarded with silence. She shrugged it off. "Hey, we almost forgot about this. Did you bring yours?"

Kenshin tore his gaze off her, and he looked at the lantern in her hands, "I'm afraid I didn't."

"Come," she stepped closer, taking his hand, "We can share."

They held the paper lantern in their hands, and she closed her eyes solemnly. Kaoru held his hand tight, and she started her prayer.

"For those who are watching us from above,

Thank you for granting us the privilege to be surrounded by the most awesome people. Each and every one of them, for those who stayed, and even the ones who left, will be forever imprinted in our hearts.

Thank you for holding our hand as we learn the most important lessons in life.

Please continue to watch over us, in all the hardships that is to come.

And please, do not worry for us here,

We're okay.

Because of you we will continue to be okay.

Life will never be perfect, but it is bearable because of you,

and the strength that we have found from you.

Rest easy,

We will do our best to make you proud."

She opened her blue eyes, and gently she leaned over, setting the lantern on the water.

They watched in silence as it drifted away.

And it was a considerable while that passed, before Kaoru shot her companion a sidelong glare.

"What are you smiling about?"

"Nothing," he shook his head.

"Are you mocking the Amazing Kaoru again?" She huffed haughtily, eliciting a suppressed laughter from the man. "Seriously, Kenshin, you have to set yourself straight if you're planning to win this mysterious woman's affections—" she paused, "Speaking of which," she turned fully to him, her grin wide and her eyes sparkling in curiosity, "Who is she?"

He never took his eyes off her.

"This woman I like,

She's the strongest person I've known. But she's incredibly dense,"

He watched her endearing expressions,

settling on her face,

"And back then, I was young, and stupid.

And I hurt her, without me knowing.

So might take a long while...

until I prove to her that I'm not the jerk I was back then."

"Ah," she smiled, "You shouldn't have to worry." She shifted her gaze away and stared at the distant stars, "No matter what others may say, you were always an incredible person back then. I can personally vie for that. If she doesn't forgive you for whatever you did in the past," she struck her fist on her palm, "I'll sock her in the face."

The redhead softly laughed.

"Kenshin," She looked back at him, her eyes feverish under the moonlight, her smile was infectious and bright, "I'm confident that one day, your girl will see your efforts."

Suddenly his gaze turned deep, and without any warning he reached out, and he tucked a strand of hair that strayed on her face, gently behind her ear.

She looked at him, and suddenly, the blue in her eyes deepened, finally realizing his intentions.

A blush exploded on her cheeks, as the flustered woman pulled away.

"W-what is it suddenly with you?" She cleared her throat and swatted his shoulder, "Tch, you're acting weird again."

She climbed the elevation, and looking down, she offered her hand to him. "Shall we get going? They're waiting for us at the inn, and I also have that meeting with Mr. Yukishiro tomorrow,"

"Of course," he smiled as he took her hand.

They headed back to the inn to regroup with the others.

"It's been such a long time since then..." the redhead cast his gaze down, "She doesn't love me anymore."

The memory of his conversation with Makoto, just last month when he left for New York, drifted into his thoughts.

"Himura, let me tell you something. And you need to listen, alright?

Tch, I can't believe I'm dishing out dumb advice to a grown man.

It's true, she doesn't love you the same anymore.

But she doesn't hate you either.

Friendship...

that should be a good place to start.

As it should have been, ten years ago."

Kenshin held Kaoru's warm hand tight.


End