Author's Note: Almost the end, kids! It's REALLY high time I worked on my other writing commitments. I've been so bad…whatever.

It's also about time I give Kenshin a rest. I don't want to wear him out with the awful things I've done to him. I'd rather wear him out giving him lots of Kaoru booty in a lemon fic.

Standard disclaimers will apply, forever and ever.

Heart of the Woman

Part VI: Phase Two

As Kamiya-sama instructed, I had my advanced-party note sent out first thing in the morning. I sent it by express post, guaranteed to deliver within the day. I hope I get a response soon. The faster this little adventure is done, the better. I don't know how much more I can take of Kaoru's father.

I'm sure he would have been better mannered under normal circumstances, but I suppose "paranormal" circumstances can do things to a person. Him and I both.

Before Kaoru could wake up, I cleaned the mess in the dojo, and I have to say that I had a difficult time of it. Somehow, it didn't feel right to get the broom and sweep up the remains like dirt. With painstaking solemnity, I looked for a respectable jar in the storage room and scooped Kieko-dono's ashes into it with those pieces of paper that one can find stuck all over the place when Tanabata, Festival of the Weaver, comes around, the ones with the haiku on them. I tried my best to get all the particles. The ashes I couldn't capture I wiped with a rag, then I threw the rag into the fire. Disposing of it in the trash did not seem right at all.

The pottery pieces I discarded without ceremony. I'm not too keen on giving it burial rites. It caused me so much suffering that I think it only deserved as much.

"Good riddance!" I believe were the words I used when I dumped it in the trash basket.

The letter was tucked safely in my trunk, awaiting its use. I have a feeling it won't be too long.

Soon, everyone in the dojo was awake, and as was my usual fare, I hurriedly finished my laundry to watch Kaoru and Yahiko training.

Actually, I was just watching Kaoru, but Yahiko was a convenient prop.

Oro! It's just terrible that Yahiko has been reduced to a prop! Bad Hitokiri!

"Five Hundred downward swings!" Kaoru yelled at Yahiko after a particularly nasty slight at her femininity.

He said something along the lines of, "Wide-hipped man in a dress."

That boy doesn't know what the hell he's talking about.

I can think of a million ways to prove to Kaoru how wrong the idiot-pupil is.

"One…two…three…" Yahiko counted with a frown of intense concentration in his eyes.

"Honestly!" Kaoru muttered, watching him.

She walked to my side, keeping her eyes on Yahiko as she spoke to me. "Kenshin, will you ever tell me why you went to Omiya?" She asked.

I suppressed a sigh. Instead, I kissed her temple and smoothed my hand on her pony-tailed head. "Maybe, maybe not. I don't know if I could, Kaoru. But please believe me when I say it has nothing to do with my bloody past. I'm not even sure what I'm doing, but I'm certainly doing it for you."

Kaoru turned to me with a pout on her face. "Well then, why can't you tell me?"

"Because somebody is afraid you'll hate him," I replied.

Her frown deepened. "Kenshin, you idiot! I will never hate you!"

I chuckled. She misunderstood in the sweetest way possible. "I'm not talking about me, dearest. It's some other person. I can't tell you who it is either. Even if I could, you would never believe me."

"Eh? Now I'm really curious! Oooooh!" She said, getting a petulant look on her face.

I draped an arm over her shoulder and grinned. "I'm sorry, Kaoru, but I'm bound by an oath of silence. But I promise you, there will be no fighting, no one's going to get killed, no one's going to get hurt, and it certainly doesn't have anything to do with Battousai. I think it's an affair of the heart."

Kaoru arched an eyebrow. "Are you playing bridge for some couple?"

This got me to laugh. "I don't think this unworthy one is playing bridge."

"Mou! I'd resort to threats but that isn't honorable!" She exclaimed. "However…" she continued, her voice turning to a whisper, tiptoeing to put her lips to my ear. "I can resort to more tender persuasions…"

Oh my…

That's enough to get me to thank Kami-sama my entire life.

He has given me a very roguish angel.

"This unworthy one will need a lot of persuading, that he does…" I whispered back, grazing her cheek with my finger.

She giggled intimately.

"Are you guys talking about sex?" Yahiko suddenly asked, well into his two hundredth swing.

Oro! The little brat!

"What!" Kaoru exclaimed, scowling. "Focus on your training!" She ordered.

"Ugly, why don't you put Kenshin out of his misery and give him a go?" Yahiko said most scandalously.

That's…too much even for me to handle.

Kaoru, however, knew exactly what to do. She stalked over to Yahiko, pummeled him with her bokken and told him, "Five Hundred more!"

That fixed Yahiko real fast.

Kaoru walked into the kitchen just when I was stuffing a jar with another one of my pickle concoctions. She had an astonished look on her face and I just knew she was formulating something in her mind.

"Kenshin, this came for you just now," Kaoru said, presenting a folded parchment to me. "The…the coachman said it came from Akira Banshio…did I hear it right?"

Well, that was fast. It was only a bit past lunch. "Yes, Kaoru. You heard right," I replied.

Wiping my hands on my apron, I took the note from Kaoru and broke the seal to read its contents.

Greetings Battousai,

First let me congratulate you. For you to deserve the approval of Kamiya Tetsuro, you must be an extraordinary man indeed.

Alright, everyone seems convinced that Kamiya-sama thinks me worthy of Kaoru except me. Well, what the heck am I supposed to think when my girlfriend's father keeps calling me horny-monkey to my face? I read on.

On more important matters, it would please me to have my carriage bring you to my estate as soon as your schedule permits you. My coachman will be willing to wait for you the entire day until you are free to meet with me. I shall be in my home, hoping for your arrival.

Have a good day.

Akira Banshio

Tucking the note into my sleeve, I hurried out of the kitchen and towards the Kamiya front gate.

"Kenshin? Is there something wrong?" Kaoru asked, following me.

I was too distracted to reply at once. I opened the gate and sure enough, the carriage was there. The coachman gave me a friendly salute upon seeing me.

For a moment, I did nothing but stare. Unable to return his smile amidst my astonishment, I nodded in acknowledgment and closed the gate.

"Kenshin?" Kaoru asked again, her eyebrows knotting in worry.

"N-Nothing's wrong," I said hastily, caressing her face as I turned to get a move on. "Nothing to worry about, Kaoru. This is just something this unworthy one has to do."

I made my way to across the yard, removing my apron as I walked.

Kaoru would not be so easily appeased. "Does this have something to do with that Omiya thing?"

"Yes, it does," I replied, going into my room and digging through my trunk.

Kaoru sighed. "Then I suppose I shouldn't expect an explanation. Kenshin, I'm not really surprised Japan's number one tycoon is corresponding with you. You do, after all, have a tendency to be acquainted with men in high places, but this secrecy is killing me!"

I chuckled, finding Kamiya-sama's letter and slipping it into the sleeve of my gi. "Dearest, I only know a few men with that kind of stature."

"Don't change the subject!" She responded, her fists going to her hips.

I swear she's cute when she gets this way.

Standing up, I headed for my door as I secured my sakabatou in my sash. I gave her a quick kiss on the lips and headed my way. "I'll be back before dinner, Kaoru."

"Kenshin!" She exclaimed in annoyance. "Y-You can't do this!"

"Everything will be fine. Do not worry," I said as I strode to the gate.

"Mou!!!! I hate you!"

I chuckled. As if.

I stopped in my tracks and looked at her with an amused grin. "Now do you really mean that?"

Kaoru stamped her foot and frowned. "Of course I don't! Kenshin--"

"I thought so," I responded with an even wider grin, hastily making my way outside the gate.

I heard her give another loud "Mou!!!!" as I closed myself out.

I SO love to tease her sometimes. No one can throw a fit as adorably as Kaoru can.

Rushing to the coachman, I gave him my best rurouni smile just in case he knew I was Battousai. He seemed affable enough not to be affected by that fact, though.

The coachman nodded in congeniality, preparing himself on his seat.

I hopped into the carriage and settled inside, tapping the roof when I was secured.

With a "Kiyah!" we were off.

The carriage rode straight into Akira Banshio's gates. The ride was smooth and comfortable in spite of the speed of our travel. I distinctly remembered the time I had to ride a coach driven by Sano…I'd rather not go into that.

When the carriage came to a stop, I was mildly surprised by someone opening the door for me, ready to usher me out. I knew Akira Banshio was expecting me, but I didn't think he'd have me welcomed like this.

I stepped out of the coach and into the yard, greeted by a man dressed rather formally.

"Akira-sama has been expecting you, Hitokiri-sama," he said without a flinch.

Hitokiri-sama? Well, that sounds surreal. Manslayer-master.

Ugh! That sounds horrible. "I go by the name of Himura Kenshin now, if you please," I said politely, executing a respectful bow.

"Very well, Himura-sama," he said without batting an eyelash, returning the bow.

I must say. He's very discrete.

It seems to me this man is a butler, the way Westerners have butlers. How terribly elite.

I turned to thank my coachman but discovered that he had already rode off, most probably to the stables.

"This way, Himura-sama," he intoned, motioning for me to follow.

As we entered the house, I let my eyes rove on the surroundings.

I've never seen such a luxurious home. It was filled with Western furniture and finery, yet it exuded the homey quality of Japan. Akira Banshio has good taste, in my humble opinion, of course.

I was brought to a living room that made me feel like I was three inches tall. It was huge. Everything about it was gigantic. I had to crane my neck just to get some sort of view of the ceiling, which was, to say the least, opulent in its carvings.

"Please be seated, Himura-sama," said the butler. "Might I get you something to drink? Some wine? Sake?"

"Thank you, but I'm fine," I replied, going to one of the cushioned chairs.

"Very well," He responded, bowing and leaving the room.

I took a seat and was just glad that my feet touched the ground. Sometimes my size can be a real pain in the ass. I'm taller than Kaoru, though, and that's all that should matter.

Talk about defensive…

After waiting a few minutes, a distinguished looking man walked in, finely attired in luxurious house-clothes. I recognized him by the embroidered seal on the left of his obviously expensive gi.

I looked at my ratty clothes and shrugged. Oh well.

I got to my feet and bowed. "Good afternoon, Akira-dono. My name is Himura Kenshin. You know me as Hitokiri Battousai." I wrinkled my nose at my own words.

Akira said nothing, and I began to wonder whether I was actually welcome.

I raised my eyes and saw that his face registered surprise.

"Umm…" I began uneasily.

He blinked and then returned my bow. "Forgive me, Himura-san. I just…didn't expect…"

It took all of my willpower not to frown. I gave him my clueless smile. "The Hitokiri Battousai to be so small?" I finished for him.

"Er…yes," he replied.

"I get that a lot," I said, hoping I didn't sound as sarcastic as I felt.

Whatever happened to that guy who said, "Size doesn't matter?"

Must have gotten stepped on, or something.

"Please," he intoned, gesturing to the chairs.

I took my seat and decided to get down to business. Men like Akira, he didn't have too much spare time. It's quite an honor for him to give me the time of day.

"Kamiya-sama told me to give you this," I said, presenting the sealed letter to him.

"Ah yes. Let's see what he has to say," Akira said, slipping on a pair of reading glasses. "He told me he'd have some words for me if and when this day came. I've always been curious…"

He broke the seal, read the letter then gave out a loud guffaw that practically got him rolling off his chair.

I was dying to ask what was so funny but that wouldn't be polite.

"I knew it! I knew it! Yes, you will most certainly have it back!" Akira said to me.

Eh? What is he talking about?

Are all of Kamiya-sama's friends so mysterious?

Hello! Can someone please explain to the idiot-ex-rurouni what in Kami-sama's name is going on?

The perplexity must have shown clearly on my face because Akira gave me an amused smile amidst his laughter. "Oh, you don't know, do you? Well, Himura-san, I wish you all the best in this endeavor. You will take care of Kaoru-san, won't you?"

"Always," I replied solemnly.

He nodded, grinning. "You better, or I will give my son the go signal."

"Pardon me…go signal?"

Akira chuckled. "To demand his betrothal rights of course."

"Betrothal…?" This is sounding too much like piss-off material.

Akira laughed again. "Tetsuro and I made a bet, once upon a time…I believe Kaoru-san was only six at the time, that she would marry before she reached the age of twenty-one. He was so afraid that his boyish little princess would not be marriageable that he demanded that she be promised to my son. I have this thing against arranged marriages…I think they suck! So I said, fine. If Kaoru-san does not find a man to marry past twenty-one, my son will make sure she accepts his proposal. But Kaoru-san has done well, as I predicted."

"Oro!" I cried, aghast beyond belief.

Kamiya-sama actually thought Kaoru was not marriageable! Why…that jerk! And to have her promised to some stranger! Well, an extremely rich stranger…but still! Kaoru will not hate her father…much, but she will certainly have a heck of a lot to say! Oh I can see it now. The cursing…the fuming…when her face turns red and she gets this adorable flush on her cheeks…come to think of it, I'm rather looking forward to it.

Oro!

"As for this letter…" he continued. "Tetsuro and I had our differences, and it never got in the way of our friendship, but one day, he came to me to sell something because he needed money badly. Pawned something, actually. I didn't want to accept it. It's something that must never be exchanged for anything of material value. I'm a real romantic, you see. We had a big fight…the stubborn fool. I ended up taking his pledge and giving him the value of it in money, but I told him that nothing short of his admission of his being wrong will get me to give it back to him. It seems he has done what I demanded of him."

Akira showed me the letter.

I read it in a daze.

There were the words, plain enough to see:

You win. I admit it. I was wrong. Go ahead, laugh. Now please, just give it to the guy who's gonna marry my little princess.

Kamiya Tetsuro

Oro…

Kamiya-sama, for the nth time…what the heck is going on?

To be continued…

Author's Note: Almost done. Stay with me for the final stretch.