A kiss.
One moment taken by surprise.
One moment given over to passion.
One moment where her months of longing, of desire, were fulfilled.
It was just how she pictured it. Not after some grandiose event. If it happened then, she would always wonder if it were his attempt to offer her comfort. She would always doubt whether he felt the same or was simply doing what he always did, making her feel better. She remembered her father suddenly. There was so much of her father in Kenshin. They both took great pains to protect the innocent. They both valued swordsmanship above their own lives. They both…God, she hoped this was true…they both shared a love for her.
The realization dawned upon her that she was in love with a man just like her father. The image of her kissing her father's lips entered her mind and she almost became sick. Fortunately she was able to hold her dinner down. Thank God Kenshin wasn't kissing her too hard. She might have vomited on his hakama. Knowing the rurouni, he'd take that as a sign of her feelings and steadfastly refuse to even touch her again. That was a funny thought. Regurgitated sukiyaki could end her relationship. She had to stop herself from laughing.
Her father's death had left a hole in her life. She refused to think about that. Instead she focused on the man who had filled that hole, the man whose lips were pressed gently against hers right now. She longed to place her hands on his chest, to clutch his hakama and pull him closer. But she dare not. She would do nothing to jeopardize the moment.
It was a cool spring night when they were returning from the Akaebo. A few seconds ago she'd noticed him staring at her. She'd licked her lips, hoping against hope that he would do something, anything. Kenshin had stopped, placed his hand on her shoulder, and when she turned to meet his gaze, leaned in and kissed her.
When he pulled away, she was shocked. She wasn't sure whether this shock was due to his abruptness or that he had actually kissed her. He looked so vulnerable, like a little puppy unsure if he'd be scratched behind the ears or be whacked by a newspaper. Kaoru realized with some chagrin that in her case it was an apt analogy. Since they'd met, she'd probably put more bumps and bruises on his head that Saitou and Aoshi combined. She couldn't help but smile, if only to re assure him of her kind intentions.
Kaoru closed her eyes, pulled one of his strong arms around her and rested her head on his chest.
Amid the chirping of the crickets and the chatter of their friends ahead, the couple walked home silently. No words were necessary.
~THE END~
One moment taken by surprise.
One moment given over to passion.
One moment where her months of longing, of desire, were fulfilled.
It was just how she pictured it. Not after some grandiose event. If it happened then, she would always wonder if it were his attempt to offer her comfort. She would always doubt whether he felt the same or was simply doing what he always did, making her feel better. She remembered her father suddenly. There was so much of her father in Kenshin. They both took great pains to protect the innocent. They both valued swordsmanship above their own lives. They both…God, she hoped this was true…they both shared a love for her.
The realization dawned upon her that she was in love with a man just like her father. The image of her kissing her father's lips entered her mind and she almost became sick. Fortunately she was able to hold her dinner down. Thank God Kenshin wasn't kissing her too hard. She might have vomited on his hakama. Knowing the rurouni, he'd take that as a sign of her feelings and steadfastly refuse to even touch her again. That was a funny thought. Regurgitated sukiyaki could end her relationship. She had to stop herself from laughing.
Her father's death had left a hole in her life. She refused to think about that. Instead she focused on the man who had filled that hole, the man whose lips were pressed gently against hers right now. She longed to place her hands on his chest, to clutch his hakama and pull him closer. But she dare not. She would do nothing to jeopardize the moment.
It was a cool spring night when they were returning from the Akaebo. A few seconds ago she'd noticed him staring at her. She'd licked her lips, hoping against hope that he would do something, anything. Kenshin had stopped, placed his hand on her shoulder, and when she turned to meet his gaze, leaned in and kissed her.
When he pulled away, she was shocked. She wasn't sure whether this shock was due to his abruptness or that he had actually kissed her. He looked so vulnerable, like a little puppy unsure if he'd be scratched behind the ears or be whacked by a newspaper. Kaoru realized with some chagrin that in her case it was an apt analogy. Since they'd met, she'd probably put more bumps and bruises on his head that Saitou and Aoshi combined. She couldn't help but smile, if only to re assure him of her kind intentions.
Kaoru closed her eyes, pulled one of his strong arms around her and rested her head on his chest.
Amid the chirping of the crickets and the chatter of their friends ahead, the couple walked home silently. No words were necessary.
~THE END~