A Picture of Summer
by: Venusskies
email: venus_skies@excite.com
Standard disclaimers apply.
Author's Notes:
If you noticed, I cut the previous chapter. The beginning of this chapter belonged to chapter 1 in the old draft. And here, you'll notice some of the major changes I'll be making in this story. I hope you'll still like it anyhow. Minor spoilers lie ahead, as well as some WAFF. This is 6 pages in my Word document.
I hope you like it. Please rate and review! (
Chapter 2: Before I Say Goodbye
We bought fifteen dresses, one gown, two pairs of gloves, one overcoat, one cloak, one bonnet , 6 pairs of shoes (including 2 pairs of boots, 1 pair of sandals and the rest slippers) and three handkerchiefs. She seemed to have been on a shopping spree at that time, that every dress she saw she said, "Look Kaoru-chan, this'll look good on you. It'll be perfect…" I was overwhelmed with the huge wardrobe she bought me, and so was Misao. We both began to wonder how in the world I was going to carry everything to Europe.
Misao was really excited to see me in the dresses we bought, that the instant we arrived home she started dressing me up like a doll to see how I looked. We were in my room while the two girls made me model my stuff in front of them, giggling and applauding 'their great taste in fashion'. Blech.
A few days passed and then a telegram arrived for Chiharu, saying that her parents would be arriving in a few more days, and then we leave. Our papers had already been fixed, so were the accommodations and the tickets for the ship. Everything was okay. We were set to leave.
I suddenly began having second thoughts on leaving, as I confided to Misao.
"I really don't know if I should go," I murmured to her one night. We were sitting on the porch beside each other, our feet dangling a little off the ground. The moon was full and it was high above us, lighting the starless sky.
"How come? I remember you telling me before that no one could convince you not to leave, that you've already made up your mind," Misao replied in a volume close to mine. It was already late at night and everyone was asleep. We just sneaked out since we didn't want Chiharu waking up because of us.
"I don't know why," I replied. "It's just… I don't know… You tell me."
"You're having second thoughts because of Himura," she said.
"What?" I hissed at her.
"You're having second thoughts because of Himura. You don't want to leave until you've told him how you feel or better yet, until you know how he feels for you. You're thinking that since you'll be gone for a long time, something might happen in your absence, and when you come back, things won't be as they were. Something might happen…"
I stared at her and blinked. I then sighed, admitting defeat.
"You got the words right out of my mouth Misao," I admitted. "Demo, how did you know?"
"I just know," she replied. Then, she shifted her position into something more comfortable and resumed talking. "So I think you should talk to him before you leave. Tell him how you feel, or if you can, ask him how you feel. I don't care how you do it, just settle the matter before you leave. That'll put you at rest."
I grinned.
"Since when have you become Dr. Love?"
"Since time immemorial," she responded jokingly. She laughed. "I don't know. I just thought it was the right thing to do."
"Arigato," I smiled.
"You're welcome."
We sat in companionable silence for a few minutes until I heard Misao yawn. She stretched her limbs saying, "I think I'd sleep now. It's getting late. I'm tired."
"Alright, go ahead. I'll stay here a little longer," I replied.
"You sure? Want me to stay with you?" she asked. I saw her try her best to stifle another yawn.
"No thanks," I shook my head in refusal. "You don't have to. I'll be fine."
"Okay. That's what you said. Oyasumi nasai," she smiled.
"Oyasumi," I returned, smiling. "Sweet dreams."
She then walked away, leaving me alone to my thoughts.
I pondered at her statement.
Talk to him before you leave. Tell him how you feel, or if you can, ask him how you feel. I don't care how you do it, just settle the matter before you leave. That'll put you at rest.
Will it?
I guess it's worth a try. I should probably take her advice and tell her, or if you can, ask him how you feel. Demo, I don't think I'll really be able to ask him, so I guess I'll just tell him. At least the burden in my heart will be lessened, even if I don't know how he feels about me. Just as long as he doesn't reject me.
Iya! I shouldn't think of things like that. I shouldn't. I should look at things positively, that everything will turn out okay. I should…
My heart beat. I felt something. I felt… ki… It was close… Someone was close by… Someone was behind me. I turned briskly, peering through the shadows, trying to see through the dark. Unconsciously my eyes narrowed as I squinted through the darkness, then, my gaze softened. I knew who was there.
"Why are you here?" I asked softly, looking down at the floor. "It's late. You should be in bed."
It took a while before I got a response.
"I came from the kitchen." What a lame excuse.
"But the kitchen's the other way," I replied, grinning. "You're here for another reason."
"… Aa… You're right," he replied.
I turned around to my original position.
"You can sit here beside me and tell me why you're here," I said, patting the space beside me. "I could use some company since Misao's already asleep. Did you hear our conversation?"
"Iya de gozaru," Kenshin answered as he emerged from the shadows and sat beside me. "Actually, not all… Demo, that's not why I'm here. I mean, my reason for coming here wasn't to eavesdrop."
"Then what is it?" I asked.
"I… wanted to tell you something."
"Oh? What is it?"
He took a deep breath, and then reached forward to touch my hand. My heart beat a little faster. What was he going to tell me?
"Since you're going to leave soon, sessha just wanted to wish you a safe and happy trip, that you do whatever you want to do," he said, looking at me. I just stared at our hands, quite unaware of his gaze. "Sessha assures you that when you come back, no matter how long you'll be gone, I'll still be here, and that I'll keep my promise to stay as long as you want me to."
Is that it? Is that all he's going to tell me? I was about to say something of my own when he continued.
"And, sessha also wanted to tell you…"
"Tell me what?" I breathed.
"Aishiteru, Kaoru," he replied softly, taking my hand in his and bringing it to his lips. I stared at shocked when he kissed it tenderly, and then gently, let go. He said my name, no honorific… just… plain Kaoru. My heart beat fast, a surge of heat tingling in my veins. He loves me… He just said 'Aishiteru'…
"Sessha wanted you to know," he breathed. "Before you leave. Sessha…" I pressed a finger to his lips, stopping his speech.
"Shhh," I said. "No more 'sessha', okay? You shouldn't belittle yourself. Don't think yourself as unworthy. You aren't. You're so kind and helpful, generous and caring. You're not as low as you think you are Kenshin. Don't think you are."
He gazed at me lovingly and stroked my cheek tenderly before saying, "Arigato Kaoru. Demo, I'm too stained, too guilty of the lives of so many people. I couldn't possibly be worthy of you…"
I interrupted him once more, shaking my head violently.
"No Kenshin, no," I spoke, my eyes shimmering with tears. I blinked to stop them from falling. "It doesn't matter to me. Not at all. I don't care about the past. All I care for is now. What matters is that it's you, and only you. So don't think yourself unworthy. In fact, you're more than enough for me Kenshin. I love you too."
He paused awhile before asking, "How could you love someone like me?"
"Because someone like you is the most wonderful person I've ever met," I replied, my voice quite shaky. A tear unconsciously slid down my cheek. "You're the kindest and the most considerate person I've ever known. You've always rescued me whenever I'd get into trouble, and you've always taken care of me."
"You get into trouble because of me," he gently chided.
"It doesn't matter," I replied. "I love you for who you are. I love you and the Battousai. I accept him Kenshin, because he's a part of you, and he'll always be. I've finally come to understand that after Enishi's Jinchuu."
I saw his eyes sparkling in the moonlight, his gaze soft, tender, warm and loving. He loved me, and I loved him, and that was all that mattered. I leaned closer to him and he welcomed me into his embrace. I snuggled closer, happy and content, breathing in his scent. He was so close…
He kissed the top of my head and I looked up, smiling. He grinned back at me. Then, he lowered his face and brushed his lips against mine. At first, it was a shy first contact, the both of us still unsure. But when I felt him let go I put my arms around him and pulled him back, this time, deepening the kiss. He responded quickly, the kiss becoming passionate and heady. We finally pulled back for air, my face flushed and my lips quite swollen. I smiled.
"It makes me want to stay all the more," I whispered, snuggling again into him.
"Demo, you can't turn back now, not after everything," he replied wrapping his arms around me tightly.
"Aa, that's true," I nodded. Mou…
"Nevertheless, sessha…"
"No more 'sessha' remember?"
"Hai hai, koishii, I forgot that," he chuckled.
"Koishii… I like that," I breathed.
"Then I'll call you koishii all the time," he replied.
"Too bad I won't hear it for the next two years," I sighed. Just when I'm beginning to be happy…
"I'll write it in my letters."
"Demo it's not the same…"
"Aa, it won't be, but the thought's still there, ne Kaoru-koishii?"
"Hai. It will be."
Aunt Mikako and Uncle John arrived the next day quite sooner than expected. Since there was no more space in the dojo, they were to stay in a hotel. I apologized for it, but Uncle John said that they really had a booking and they weren't going to stay anyway.
The instant Aunt Mikako saw me and Kenshin holding hands that day, she wasted no time in interrogating me on the 'gorgeous young man' . The others did too, with Misao, Megumi and Chiharu pestering me with questions on 'what happened' and 'how it happened' while Sanosuke harassed Kenshin to death trying to 'extract' from him the details. Of course, I came to Kenshin's rescue and quickly dealt with him before he could harass my love further. The nerve of him! He ought to have more respect.
Pretty soon, it was time for us to leave. Aunt Mikako and Uncle John had gone to the hotel to fetch their things while a carriage waited for me and Chiharu to bring us to the docks. It was early morning and everyone woke up extra early to see me off. I was already dressed in a white traveling dress, holding the sun-hat in my hand. Chiharu went to instruct the footman on the baggage, giving me time to say goodbye.
I saw Yahiko crying.
"Yahiko, what are those tears for? Aren't you happy busu-sama would be leaving you for a while?" I teased. I was expecting a haughty reply, but certainly not a tight hug and him sobbing onto my dress. "Y-Yahiko?"
"You're leaving," came his muffled voice. "You'll be gone for a long time…"
"I'll be missing you," I replied, hugging him tightly. "I'll miss scolding you and you calling me 'busu'."
He smiled through the tears.
"Hehe. I'll call you busu-sama when you come back," he grinned.
"I'll be expecting that."
"Sayonara, busu-sama."
"Not now, okay? I'm still quite touchy with the name…"
"I'll take care of the dojo, don't you worry. I'll be teaching the students what they need to know," Yahiko said.
"I taught you the succession technique so you should be fine," I said.
"Aa. I'll be fine." I smiled.
"I have a lot of confidence in my number one student."
"I won't let my sensei down." My eyes watered at his words. It was a rare occasion when he called me sensei, and this was one of those rare occasions.
I saw Sano, but before I could say goodbye he shooed me off, saying that he didn't want to get all mushy and stuff. I smiled and gave him a warm hug, and then went off to say goodbye to the others. Then, I came to Kenshin.
"Well," I began uneasily, unsure of what to say. "So I guess it's goodbye…"
He shook his head and took my hands in his.
"It isn't. It won't be. There'll be no goodbye for the two of us koishii," he whispered for only me to hear.
I smiled at his words.
"Yes. There won't be," I repeated. "You'll write often won't you?"
"As long as you do too," he replied.
"Of course I will," I said. "And you won't call yourself 'sessha'. Remember that."
"Aa. I will."
Then he kissed me, a slow, lingering kiss. It would be the only one I'll have in a long time, I thought bitterly. All the more I wanted to stay…
"Aishiteru," he whispered.
"Aishiteru," I answered. "And I always will."
Reluctantly, we let go, and slowly I walked to the gate. I looked back and saw them all smiling at me, especially Kenshin, encouraging me to go, to see new places, learn new things and meet new people, to do whatever I want to do, to be who I really want to be.
And I will.
To be continued…
by: Venusskies
email: venus_skies@excite.com
Standard disclaimers apply.
Author's Notes:
If you noticed, I cut the previous chapter. The beginning of this chapter belonged to chapter 1 in the old draft. And here, you'll notice some of the major changes I'll be making in this story. I hope you'll still like it anyhow. Minor spoilers lie ahead, as well as some WAFF. This is 6 pages in my Word document.
I hope you like it. Please rate and review! (
Chapter 2: Before I Say Goodbye
We bought fifteen dresses, one gown, two pairs of gloves, one overcoat, one cloak, one bonnet , 6 pairs of shoes (including 2 pairs of boots, 1 pair of sandals and the rest slippers) and three handkerchiefs. She seemed to have been on a shopping spree at that time, that every dress she saw she said, "Look Kaoru-chan, this'll look good on you. It'll be perfect…" I was overwhelmed with the huge wardrobe she bought me, and so was Misao. We both began to wonder how in the world I was going to carry everything to Europe.
Misao was really excited to see me in the dresses we bought, that the instant we arrived home she started dressing me up like a doll to see how I looked. We were in my room while the two girls made me model my stuff in front of them, giggling and applauding 'their great taste in fashion'. Blech.
A few days passed and then a telegram arrived for Chiharu, saying that her parents would be arriving in a few more days, and then we leave. Our papers had already been fixed, so were the accommodations and the tickets for the ship. Everything was okay. We were set to leave.
I suddenly began having second thoughts on leaving, as I confided to Misao.
"I really don't know if I should go," I murmured to her one night. We were sitting on the porch beside each other, our feet dangling a little off the ground. The moon was full and it was high above us, lighting the starless sky.
"How come? I remember you telling me before that no one could convince you not to leave, that you've already made up your mind," Misao replied in a volume close to mine. It was already late at night and everyone was asleep. We just sneaked out since we didn't want Chiharu waking up because of us.
"I don't know why," I replied. "It's just… I don't know… You tell me."
"You're having second thoughts because of Himura," she said.
"What?" I hissed at her.
"You're having second thoughts because of Himura. You don't want to leave until you've told him how you feel or better yet, until you know how he feels for you. You're thinking that since you'll be gone for a long time, something might happen in your absence, and when you come back, things won't be as they were. Something might happen…"
I stared at her and blinked. I then sighed, admitting defeat.
"You got the words right out of my mouth Misao," I admitted. "Demo, how did you know?"
"I just know," she replied. Then, she shifted her position into something more comfortable and resumed talking. "So I think you should talk to him before you leave. Tell him how you feel, or if you can, ask him how you feel. I don't care how you do it, just settle the matter before you leave. That'll put you at rest."
I grinned.
"Since when have you become Dr. Love?"
"Since time immemorial," she responded jokingly. She laughed. "I don't know. I just thought it was the right thing to do."
"Arigato," I smiled.
"You're welcome."
We sat in companionable silence for a few minutes until I heard Misao yawn. She stretched her limbs saying, "I think I'd sleep now. It's getting late. I'm tired."
"Alright, go ahead. I'll stay here a little longer," I replied.
"You sure? Want me to stay with you?" she asked. I saw her try her best to stifle another yawn.
"No thanks," I shook my head in refusal. "You don't have to. I'll be fine."
"Okay. That's what you said. Oyasumi nasai," she smiled.
"Oyasumi," I returned, smiling. "Sweet dreams."
She then walked away, leaving me alone to my thoughts.
I pondered at her statement.
Talk to him before you leave. Tell him how you feel, or if you can, ask him how you feel. I don't care how you do it, just settle the matter before you leave. That'll put you at rest.
Will it?
I guess it's worth a try. I should probably take her advice and tell her, or if you can, ask him how you feel. Demo, I don't think I'll really be able to ask him, so I guess I'll just tell him. At least the burden in my heart will be lessened, even if I don't know how he feels about me. Just as long as he doesn't reject me.
Iya! I shouldn't think of things like that. I shouldn't. I should look at things positively, that everything will turn out okay. I should…
My heart beat. I felt something. I felt… ki… It was close… Someone was close by… Someone was behind me. I turned briskly, peering through the shadows, trying to see through the dark. Unconsciously my eyes narrowed as I squinted through the darkness, then, my gaze softened. I knew who was there.
"Why are you here?" I asked softly, looking down at the floor. "It's late. You should be in bed."
It took a while before I got a response.
"I came from the kitchen." What a lame excuse.
"But the kitchen's the other way," I replied, grinning. "You're here for another reason."
"… Aa… You're right," he replied.
I turned around to my original position.
"You can sit here beside me and tell me why you're here," I said, patting the space beside me. "I could use some company since Misao's already asleep. Did you hear our conversation?"
"Iya de gozaru," Kenshin answered as he emerged from the shadows and sat beside me. "Actually, not all… Demo, that's not why I'm here. I mean, my reason for coming here wasn't to eavesdrop."
"Then what is it?" I asked.
"I… wanted to tell you something."
"Oh? What is it?"
He took a deep breath, and then reached forward to touch my hand. My heart beat a little faster. What was he going to tell me?
"Since you're going to leave soon, sessha just wanted to wish you a safe and happy trip, that you do whatever you want to do," he said, looking at me. I just stared at our hands, quite unaware of his gaze. "Sessha assures you that when you come back, no matter how long you'll be gone, I'll still be here, and that I'll keep my promise to stay as long as you want me to."
Is that it? Is that all he's going to tell me? I was about to say something of my own when he continued.
"And, sessha also wanted to tell you…"
"Tell me what?" I breathed.
"Aishiteru, Kaoru," he replied softly, taking my hand in his and bringing it to his lips. I stared at shocked when he kissed it tenderly, and then gently, let go. He said my name, no honorific… just… plain Kaoru. My heart beat fast, a surge of heat tingling in my veins. He loves me… He just said 'Aishiteru'…
"Sessha wanted you to know," he breathed. "Before you leave. Sessha…" I pressed a finger to his lips, stopping his speech.
"Shhh," I said. "No more 'sessha', okay? You shouldn't belittle yourself. Don't think yourself as unworthy. You aren't. You're so kind and helpful, generous and caring. You're not as low as you think you are Kenshin. Don't think you are."
He gazed at me lovingly and stroked my cheek tenderly before saying, "Arigato Kaoru. Demo, I'm too stained, too guilty of the lives of so many people. I couldn't possibly be worthy of you…"
I interrupted him once more, shaking my head violently.
"No Kenshin, no," I spoke, my eyes shimmering with tears. I blinked to stop them from falling. "It doesn't matter to me. Not at all. I don't care about the past. All I care for is now. What matters is that it's you, and only you. So don't think yourself unworthy. In fact, you're more than enough for me Kenshin. I love you too."
He paused awhile before asking, "How could you love someone like me?"
"Because someone like you is the most wonderful person I've ever met," I replied, my voice quite shaky. A tear unconsciously slid down my cheek. "You're the kindest and the most considerate person I've ever known. You've always rescued me whenever I'd get into trouble, and you've always taken care of me."
"You get into trouble because of me," he gently chided.
"It doesn't matter," I replied. "I love you for who you are. I love you and the Battousai. I accept him Kenshin, because he's a part of you, and he'll always be. I've finally come to understand that after Enishi's Jinchuu."
I saw his eyes sparkling in the moonlight, his gaze soft, tender, warm and loving. He loved me, and I loved him, and that was all that mattered. I leaned closer to him and he welcomed me into his embrace. I snuggled closer, happy and content, breathing in his scent. He was so close…
He kissed the top of my head and I looked up, smiling. He grinned back at me. Then, he lowered his face and brushed his lips against mine. At first, it was a shy first contact, the both of us still unsure. But when I felt him let go I put my arms around him and pulled him back, this time, deepening the kiss. He responded quickly, the kiss becoming passionate and heady. We finally pulled back for air, my face flushed and my lips quite swollen. I smiled.
"It makes me want to stay all the more," I whispered, snuggling again into him.
"Demo, you can't turn back now, not after everything," he replied wrapping his arms around me tightly.
"Aa, that's true," I nodded. Mou…
"Nevertheless, sessha…"
"No more 'sessha' remember?"
"Hai hai, koishii, I forgot that," he chuckled.
"Koishii… I like that," I breathed.
"Then I'll call you koishii all the time," he replied.
"Too bad I won't hear it for the next two years," I sighed. Just when I'm beginning to be happy…
"I'll write it in my letters."
"Demo it's not the same…"
"Aa, it won't be, but the thought's still there, ne Kaoru-koishii?"
"Hai. It will be."
Aunt Mikako and Uncle John arrived the next day quite sooner than expected. Since there was no more space in the dojo, they were to stay in a hotel. I apologized for it, but Uncle John said that they really had a booking and they weren't going to stay anyway.
The instant Aunt Mikako saw me and Kenshin holding hands that day, she wasted no time in interrogating me on the 'gorgeous young man' . The others did too, with Misao, Megumi and Chiharu pestering me with questions on 'what happened' and 'how it happened' while Sanosuke harassed Kenshin to death trying to 'extract' from him the details. Of course, I came to Kenshin's rescue and quickly dealt with him before he could harass my love further. The nerve of him! He ought to have more respect.
Pretty soon, it was time for us to leave. Aunt Mikako and Uncle John had gone to the hotel to fetch their things while a carriage waited for me and Chiharu to bring us to the docks. It was early morning and everyone woke up extra early to see me off. I was already dressed in a white traveling dress, holding the sun-hat in my hand. Chiharu went to instruct the footman on the baggage, giving me time to say goodbye.
I saw Yahiko crying.
"Yahiko, what are those tears for? Aren't you happy busu-sama would be leaving you for a while?" I teased. I was expecting a haughty reply, but certainly not a tight hug and him sobbing onto my dress. "Y-Yahiko?"
"You're leaving," came his muffled voice. "You'll be gone for a long time…"
"I'll be missing you," I replied, hugging him tightly. "I'll miss scolding you and you calling me 'busu'."
He smiled through the tears.
"Hehe. I'll call you busu-sama when you come back," he grinned.
"I'll be expecting that."
"Sayonara, busu-sama."
"Not now, okay? I'm still quite touchy with the name…"
"I'll take care of the dojo, don't you worry. I'll be teaching the students what they need to know," Yahiko said.
"I taught you the succession technique so you should be fine," I said.
"Aa. I'll be fine." I smiled.
"I have a lot of confidence in my number one student."
"I won't let my sensei down." My eyes watered at his words. It was a rare occasion when he called me sensei, and this was one of those rare occasions.
I saw Sano, but before I could say goodbye he shooed me off, saying that he didn't want to get all mushy and stuff. I smiled and gave him a warm hug, and then went off to say goodbye to the others. Then, I came to Kenshin.
"Well," I began uneasily, unsure of what to say. "So I guess it's goodbye…"
He shook his head and took my hands in his.
"It isn't. It won't be. There'll be no goodbye for the two of us koishii," he whispered for only me to hear.
I smiled at his words.
"Yes. There won't be," I repeated. "You'll write often won't you?"
"As long as you do too," he replied.
"Of course I will," I said. "And you won't call yourself 'sessha'. Remember that."
"Aa. I will."
Then he kissed me, a slow, lingering kiss. It would be the only one I'll have in a long time, I thought bitterly. All the more I wanted to stay…
"Aishiteru," he whispered.
"Aishiteru," I answered. "And I always will."
Reluctantly, we let go, and slowly I walked to the gate. I looked back and saw them all smiling at me, especially Kenshin, encouraging me to go, to see new places, learn new things and meet new people, to do whatever I want to do, to be who I really want to be.
And I will.
To be continued…