Hi everyone! This chapter will finish of the plot, though there is one more after it, a revised version that I originally wrote to be posted on the website of one of my readers. I hope you enjoy both of them, and be sure to let me know what you think!

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Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its characters! And I also disclaim any knowledge of how this story got started! I must have been abducted by anime aliens and they were the ones who planted it in my mind.

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The Morning After

Chapter 18

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(Kyoto – Aoshi & Misao)

"You're going to wear THAT when we get married?"

"Ah."

"That's not fair! If I have to wear something traditional, so do you!"

"This is traditional."

"Yeah, for YOU! You wear that thing so much I'm surprised it hasn't rotted off!"

Aoshi looked slightly offended at the insult.

"If you wear that, I swear I'm going to go naked!"

Aoshi smiled for once. "Good. Then I can return the Kimono and save some money."

Misao sweat dropped.

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(Tokyo – Sano & Megumi)

"I don't understand it! I just don't understand!"

Sano grinned at Megumi's baffled expression. "I told you it wouldn't work!"

"But I tried so hard!"

"Well, I guess it wasn't hard enough!"

Megumi contemplated her dilemma. "Well, if a bath didn't work, perhaps…"

Sano froze as her voice trailed off.

Fox ears appeared. "Oh hohoho! I think you need a hair cut!"

"NO!"

"Yes! I'm going to get that hair to look normal if it's the last thing I do!"

Sano glared at her. "It probably will be!"

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(Tokyo – Kenshin & Kaoru)

A large figure approached the dojo gate. He held something in his hands, and the look on his face reminded you of someone being sent to the executioner. He gulped loudly and paused just outside. With a shaking hand, he entered. Who could this mysterious guest be?

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Kaoru's stomach was churning. The plan had seemed like such a good idea the night before, but now…she wanted to be sick! The thought of flirting with someone like him just didn't set well at all! She watched him as he sat on the porch and took a drink of sake. "Kenshin, you had better be worth this!" she muttered darkly. Making a face and steeling her resolve, she marched forward.

"Oh Hiko!" She called in an unnaturally high-pitched voice. She could feel the acid in her stomach reaching higher levels than nature ever intended. "Do you mind if I have a drink with you?" She could feel Kenshin watching her from his place by the tub, and the knowledge pushed her forward.

"HAHAHA! No one can resist the great Hiko, ne?" He grinned at her and put an arm around her shoulders. She flinched but quickly recovered and smiled at him. "Of course not!" She then did her Megumi imitation laugh.

Kenshin glared at them. This wasn't normal behavior for Kaoru. He KNEW she was up to something, but what? He watched them a few more moments when he suddenly heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Rising from his place on the ground, he watched as the guest came around the corner. "Toramaru!"

(If you are wondering, he was the Sumo wrestler from one episode.) The poor man looked so nervous, and he carried a bunch of flowers in one hand. He ignored the two men present and headed for Kaoru. With an almost panicked voice, he declared his reason for visiting.

"Please Kaoru-san, marry me!" Everyone was shocked into silence. He scrunched up his face and continued, as if he had memorized his speech. "I love your cooking and…and…you were so kind when you helped me out! I will never forget what you did! Oh, and I love the way you pinched my butt, too! No one else can do it quite like my mother!" As this was being said, he kept glancing nervously at Kenshin, as if expecting him to pounce at any moment. Kenshin looked ready to!

"I…I…I don't know what to say!" Kaoru stuttered. She tried to think of a way to turn him down politely, when she suddenly remembered. {I'm suppose to be making Kenshin jealous, and what better way is there than this? It saves me from flirting with Hiko anyway!}

Shocking everyone present, she suddenly smiled. "What a sweet offer, but I really can't make such a fast decision! Why don't you stay a while and have some tea?" She took his arm. He looked ready to bolt, but instead followed her inside. Kenshin's eyes narrowed.

"HAHAHAHA! What are you going to do now baka deshi?" Hiko was looking very amused by the sudden turn of events. I guess he's one of those people that would like watching soap operas if he lived in modern times.

Kenshin didn't take his eyes off the pair inside the dojo, or make any move to answer Hiko. This is a first! The day he can ignore a jab by Hiko is probably a sign the worlds coming to an end! And the battousai will probably be the one to finish it off, too!

Kenshin finally moved from his place and toward the dojo, and the look on his face was one most people would fear. But not Kaoru! She watched him defiantly. Toramaru looked like he dearly wished he were somewhere else! Not exactly the way a suitor should act, is it? I wonder why...

Kenshin stopped when he was standing right in front of Kaoru. The couple glared at each other for several moments, and the tension in the room was so thick, you could cut it with a sakabatou! Toramaru started to edge out the door as quietly as he could, and Kenshin whipped around to glare at him.

Poor Toramaru! He let out a yell of terror and ran for his life! That made Kenshin and Kaoru snap out of their moods, and they watched him leave with baffled expressions.

"Is it just me, or did he act like he really didn't want to be here de gozaru ka?" Kaoru nodded wordlessly as she watched her hope run out the gate with the terrified sumo wrestler. All she could think was now she had to flirt with Hiko again! With a wail she broke down.

"What's wrong Kaoru!" Kenshin asked. He looked worried, afraid she really DID want to marry Toramaru! Between sobs, she gasped out "I…do…don't wa…nt to flirt wi…with HIKO!" Kenshin face faulted. That was the last thing he was expecting!

"I heard that!" Hiko yelled from outside. He sounded very offended.

Kenshin knelt down in front of Kaoru. "Why would you do that de gozaru?" Kaoru sniffled. "To make you jealous so you would marry me!" She started to wail again. Kenshin…started laughing!

She looked up quickly and glared at him. "What's so funny!" He stopped laughing. "Is that all? I can fix that de gozaru yo! Kaoru, will you marry me?"

Kaoru looked like she was going to melt. The moment was promising to be so romantic. But of course, Hiko's around, remember?

Loud laughter drifted into the room from outside. "I'm starting to feel left out baka deshi! Can't you share your evil girlfriend?" He yelled. Kaoru stomped outside, dragging Kenshin behind her.

"WE are going to have a romantic moment, and if you DARE try to interfere I will cut that stupid cape of your into teeny tiny pieces and stuff them down your throat!"

With this declaration, she walked off toward the bathroom, dragging Kenshin behind her. Hiko sat on the porch, clutching his precious cape with a look of fear! Kaoru truly can scare everyone, can't she?

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An unseen observer watched the couple from a distance. Kaoru looked so angry, and Kenshin looked so hen pecked! It was wonderful! A slow smile spread across his face. "My revenge is finally complete. Maybe the Battousai will live, maybe he won't. After eating her cooking, I should know."

Enishi moved from his hiding place and went on his way, satisfied with the outcome. Life truly is just…

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What about Toramaru? There had to be a reason behind such a visit…

"Here are the rice animals I promised you for your service. You did well."

Toramaru happily took the payment. "Arigato! These look so good! You say Kaoru cooked them?"

The mysterious man nodded.

Toramaru thanked him again profusely and went on his way.

The man sighed. Or shall we say boy?

"Well, that's taken care of! I love Kaoru-chan, but this is for the best. Now I can meet lots of girls like the author promised me!"

Soujirou walked off smiling and rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

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Well, sadly, that is the end. Leave me your feedback, pretty please?