Kaoru, Misao, Megumi & Tae: Through A Song I Will Win Your Heart
Chapter 6- I'll Be
Disclaimers: Standard RK disclaimers apply. The following characters are NOT mine, I'm merely borrowing them for a few pages. The song 'I'll Be' isn't mine either, please don't sue. I'm a good kid.
Author's Notes: The guys are singing! Gosh, the sky must be falling! Kenshin and Aoshi sing, knowing that words are not enough to cover the depths of their emotions. Minna, thank you so much for the comments and compliments, I found great friends writing this fic, I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I loved writing it. To end this fic, I hand over one of my favorite songs, "I'll Be" by Edwin Mcain. Please R&R. Ja matta ne!
~* Jo-chan
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Sano sighed blissfully as Megumi fed him grapes from where he was resting his head on her lap. Megumi rolled her eyes at his sigh and nudged him to get his attention.
"Sanosuke, I believe it's going to rain," she stated, drawing out Sano's full name to catch his attention. She peered out the window again and started when she saw the two couples looking at each other as if nothing else existed. "Things are changing," whispered Megumi before lovingly smoothing Sano's spiky hair from his forehead.
Curiously, Sano opened one eye and peered at the look of delight on Megumi's face. "What's up kitsune?" he asked before reluctantly getting up to take a look at what Megumi was seeing. He drew back the curtains from his side and froze when he saw the picture.
"Kuso," he cursed before scratching his head.
Concerned, Megumi asked, "Doushita no Sano?"
"Iie, just a little bet with that do ahou Mibu wolf," he muttered before the woebegone expression on his face melted into amusement. He took another glimpse at the couples captured so perfectly against the new blue-gray sky and grinned.
"Yare, yare. It sure took them long enough," said Sano before he turned and gave Megumi a happy kiss. Better not think about the future or the past. What's important is living today and not taking anybody for granted.
***********
The wind blew Misao's hair forward, concealing her face partly but even if Aoshi closed his eyes, an image of Misao burned brightly in his mind. He loves her ocean-blue eyes, the darkness of her raven hair and in short, he just plain loves her.
Her eyes were questioning, as if asking why Aoshi remained so silent in that world-changing moment. Everything had changed so rapidly in that fast instant, Aoshi was suddenly aware of so many things that his heart ached for a moment. His hand trembled as he tucked the stray strand of hair behind Misao's ears.
Aoshi: (taking a deep breath) The strands in your eyes
that color them wonderful
stop me and steal my breath
and emeralds from mountains
thrust towards the sky
never revealing their depth
Misao looked startled before her eyes began to fill with tears. After all this time, Aoshi seemed to share the same intensity of her feelings. His voice was low (sounding remarkably like Edwin Mcain's voice) and slightly rough, as if still unsure.
*********
Kenshin released Kaoru's hands and allowed the sands to fall beneath her fingers. It was a golden rain, almost as beautiful as Kaoru. Kaoru looked so hesitant, as if dreading his answer. In reply, Kenshin took her hand and pressed her palm to his lips. He breathed his answer softly before he answered in the only way he can.
Kenshin: (sounds like Mark Mcgrath) Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated
I'll hang from your lips
instead of the gallows of heartache
that hang from above
A tear slipped from Kaoru's eye. Her heart ached so much, but it wasn't pain that made it ache, it was from the sweet pain of true love. Looking into her eyes, his violet eyes also as vulnerable as hers, Kenshin allowed the shields to drop.
*************
The scenes happen separately, one side features Kenshin and Kaoru, sitting on the sand shore, Kaoru sitting sideways while Kenshin knelt before her, holding her hand pressed against the cross-scar on his cheek.
On the other side, Aoshi and Misao stand knee-deep into the water, facing each other with Aoshi holding Misao's face cradled between his hands.
Kenshin: (releases Kaoru's hand and holds her tight suddenly)
I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be loves suicide
Aoshi: (leans down and presses his forehead against Misao's forehead)
And I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
Misao cries out suddenly and puts her arms around Aoshi. She stands on tiptoe to whisper "Aishiteru" in Aoshi's ear.
Still shocked by the feel of Kenshin's arms around her, despite the tears flowing down her cheeks, Kaoru smiles and rests her cheek against Kenshin's shoulder, allowing Kenshin to hold her in his arms so closely that she can feel his heartbeat.
The sky began to darken, from the blue-gray color of early morning to a gray overcast. A slight drizzle began as it slowly grew stronger. Surprised at the abrupt change of the weather, Misao looked up and laughed, blinking the raindrops away from her eyes. Aoshi smiled upon hearing Misao's laughter. He pulled Misao's arms from around his neck and took her hand, leading her out of the water to seek shelter. "I don't want you to get wet," explained Aoshi when Misao looked at him quizzically. Laughing, Misao looked at her dress that was already soaked even before the rain began. "Whatever you say Aoshi-sama," she said demurely which made Aoshi grin at her.
Kenshin and Kaoru were sheltered beneath a tiny stable near the hotel. Kaoru grinned as she shook her wet hair, shivering slightly from her damp clothes. Smiling solemnly, Kenshin led her to a pile of hay. Sitting down, Kaoru lay upon the soft hay, relaxing for the first time since her pre-dawn painting. Kenshin immediately joined her in the hay, pulling her into his arms, stilling the shivers that raced through her spine. Safe and warm in his arms, Kaoru sighed softly as Kenshin continued to serenade her.
Kenshin: (softly kissing Kaoru's ear)
Rain falls angry on the tin roof
as we lie awake in my bed
and you're my survival,
you're my living proof
my love is alive and not dead
Standing beneath a palm tree, Aoshi and Misao watched the rain dancing over the wet sands. Misao was in front of Aoshi, held securely in his arms as she leaned against him for support. His arms were wrapped around Misao's waist and his head rested against her hair. He sang softly, whispering the words in her ear.
Aoshi: Tell me that we belong together
dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated
I'll hang from your lips
instead of the gallows of heartache
that hangs from above
Misao turns around, waiting for Aoshi to say 'aishiteru' but there was something in his eyes that made words seem unnecessary. His song was indeed enough to prove how much he loved her. Secretly, Misao was surprised at Aoshi's mellow voice, she never knew that he could sing!
Aoshi: (brushing his lips softly against Misao's as he sang)
I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be love's suicide
From the stables, a snug Kaoru listened intently to Kenshin's song. Every now and then, Kenshin would kiss her ear, singing softly but with so much emotion she was captivated. His voice was so soulful that even though Kaoru wanted to sing with him, words wouldn't come to her mouth.
Kenshin: And I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
At his words, Kaoru turns on her back to face him. She strokes a gentle hand on his lips while Kenshin continues to sing.
Kenshin: Well I've dropped down, burned out
Hauled my way back from the dead
Aoshi after kissing Misao, looks at her with all the emotions he felt, from the apology he has never given her when he sent her away after attacking Jiya to the gratitude in the way she stood by him even after all the crimes he committed.
Aoshi: I'm tuned in, but still don't
remember the things that you said
He held the last note in a long time, his voice strong and stirring. A strange silence pervaded, even the rain has ceased. Taking Misao's hand, he leads her out towards the beach again, letting the cool air envelop them.
Kenshin smiles, hearing the rain cease its assault against the tin roof. He pulled Kaoru up from their cozy bed in the hay. "I want to show you something de gozaru," he said as he began pulling Kaoru towards the beach. Smiling sleepily, Kaoru allowed him to lead her towards the still dark beach. The sand was wet beneath their feet, the air cool and sweet.
On the opposite sides of the beach, Kaoru and Kenshin stand while Aoshi and Misao on the other side. The sun began to break over the thick gray clouds as Aoshi and Kenshin committed themselves to two remarkable women.
Kenshin & Aoshi: (simultaneously pulling out a ring)
And I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be love's suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your...
With startled expressions on their faces, Kaoru and Misao stared at Kenshin and Aoshi. Their surprise turned to joyful looks before both of them shrieked at the same time, "YES!"
They kissed Kenshin and Aoshi as the sun broke over the horizon bathing, them in a golden light, Kaoru and Misao began to return the words given to them in a song. Making a similar pledge in the same way and smiling at the look of surprise in Kenshin and Aoshi's faces to began to sing the same words as well.
Kaoru & Misao: I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be... love's suicide
I'll be... better when I'm older
I'll be... the greatest fan of your life
Smiling tenderly at the solemn looks on Kaoru and Misao's faces, Kenshin slipped the ring on Kaoru's finger while Aoshi kissed Misao as he slipped the ring on her finger. Aoshi presented Misao with a diamond ring while Kenshin gave Kaoru a sapphire ring.
Hugging Kaoru and Misao tenderly, they pledged the words once more in a song.
Aoshi & Kenshin: The greatest fan of your life...
*************
Saitou watched the couples discreetly from the window of his hotel room. His wife Tokio who sat primly on the bed, mending one of Saitou's shirts which got caught in a nail from the stables. Looking like the cat who ate the canary, Saitou strolled over to his wife who looked up at him.
"What's that smile for?" asked Tokio wryly before setting aside the shirt and facing her smirking husband.
"I knew I was a better adviser than that stupid rooster-head Sagara," he said smirking as he thought of Sanosuke who even placed a wager that Kenshin and Aoshi wouldn't follow his advice.
"Oh? You mean they actually sang 'our song'?" asked Tokio carefully as she stood up and walked over to Saitou.
"Aa, I knew those girls won't be able to resist it! You fell for it the same way! Why, those lyrics were created by such a talented guy.." boasted Saitou before Tokio threw his shirt at him.
"Grow up!" she yelled before recovering her composure. She cleared her throat and focused on more important matters. "So Anata, does this mean there would be two weddings coming soon?" asked Tokio, blushing slightly.
Winking at his wife, Saitou smiled, "We can probably count on it..."
~* END
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Author's Notes:
Wow! I finally finished it! I loved writing this fic, mainly because I loved sharing the songs I've learned to love as well. This probably isn't over yet, I have an epilogue coming up about the events that happened after this chapter. It's sweet and waffy, a little crazy even. So should I post the EPILOGUE? R&R's are definitely appreciated! Ja matta ne!
