Hi everyone! In case you are confused, this is also to be considered chapter 18, the final chapter of the story. It is a Revised Version, originally written for Gypsy-chan's site! I personally like it better, though I suppose it is probably just a matter of opinion. But hey, if you read both and review, be sure and tell me which one you liked better! I'd love to hear some opinions!

I hope you enjoy!

.

.

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

Author's notes are in ( )

Thoughts are in {}

.

.

The Morning After

Chapter 18

"Happily Ever After"

.

.

(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.

.

.


.

.

(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!"

.

.


.

.

(Tokyo – Kenshin & Kaoru)

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

.

.


.

.

Kaoru's stomach was churning, a sea of acid. 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 her target carefully 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-sama!" She called in an unnaturally high-pitched voice. She could feel the acid in her stomach slowly reaching higher levels than nature ever intended it to go. "Do you mind if I have a drink with you?" She smiled at him, and could feel Kenshin watching her from his place by the tub. That knowledge was the only thing that pushed her forward at this point!

"HAHAHA! No one can resist the great Hiko, ne?" He grinned 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. Hiko laughed as well and offered her some of his sake. Out of the bottle he had been drinking from no less!

Kenshin glared at them. This wasn't normal behavior for Kaoru. His gut instincts and everything he knew about Kaoru shouted warning signals in his head. He was sure she was up to something, but what? Watching them a few more moments with an angry glare, he suddenly heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Rising from his place on the ground, he observed quietly as the guest came around the corner. It was Toramaru, the sumo wrestler they had helped out once! Or at least Kaoru had helped him out by training him.

The poor man looked more nervous than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs, and he carried a bunch of slightly wilted pink, blue, and white flowers in one hand. He paused without saying a word to Kenshin, and looked around till he spotted Kaoru. He turned a bit pale when he saw Hiko, but the fact that he had an audience didn't deter him. It almost did, but not quite! He approached Kaoru, his hands shaking so much that petals were raining from the flowers in his hand.

He shoved the flowers in Kaoru's face and she took them automatically. "Th-thank you Toramaru, they are very nice, but why?" She smiled at the nervous man and at the same time shoved her elbow in Hiko's ribs when he began to laugh. Hiko gave a grunt and was quiet again.

Toramaru scrunched up his face with a look of concentration and began to recite. "I have always admired you Kaoru-san. You are the most wonderful woman I have ever met. You cook wonderfully..." Hiko snorted, and got another broken rib courtesy of Kaoru. "...and helped me out and believed in me when no one else would. You are also...ummm..." He had to stop and think for a moment. "...you are also a very beautiful lady and deserve the best."

Kenshin stood the whole time listening to this with his mouth hanging open. But now he snapped it shut and growled menacingly at the larger man. Toramaru jumped at the sound, realizing he'd better hurry and finish while he had the chance! Preferably with all his arms and legs intact!

"So that's why I am here, Kaoru-san!" Kenshin took a step closer, his hand on his sakabatou. "I know you deserve the best, but the best isn't want you want." Another step closer. "You should have what you want, and I know what it is!" Another step, and Toramaru could feel the hairs standing up on the back of his head.

Kenshin's eyes began to glint a golden color, and it took every ounce of Toramaru's will power to keep from running away, screaming at the top of his lungs! He couldn't back down now. Not when he was sooo close...

One of Toramaru's knees buckled suddenly, but whether he meant for it to or if it was because he was so scared we will probably never know. He was now kneeling in front of Kaoru, and she had shock written all over her face, along with a good amount of confusion.

Hiko was sitting beside Kaoru, looking like he was at the circus. All he needed with a bag of popcorn and a balloon, and he'd be all set! He was almost drooling over the drama before him!

"Please Kaoru-san...it would be such an honor if..." Kenshin's eyes were burning holes through the back of Toramaru's head. "...if you would...honor such an unworthy one with you're hand in marriage!" He suddenly looked relieved to have that off his chest! He waited for an answer from the stunned Kaoru.

"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 in front of him, 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, with the mood he's in!

Kenshin glared, his eyes a full gold now, and the look on his face was one most people would fear. He finally moved to speak, and Toramaru looked like he dearly wished he were somewhere else! "Kaoru, you can't marry him! He...he...all he wants is someone to pinch his butt!"

Kaoru's mouth dropped open and Hiko fell off the porch, laughing his head off! Toramaru looked distressed. "Oh dear, I don't think that came out right at all! What was I supposed to say again? Oh, right! When I said unworthy one, I meant THAT unworthy one!" He pointed to Kenshin, looking sheepish.

That stopped Kenshin in his tracks, and all he could do was stare at the other man, along with Kaoru and Hiko, who had managed to climb back onto the porch. Toramaru looked relieved. "Everyone knows if left to yourself, you would never get around to asking! So Kaoru, will you PLEASE marry Kenshin?"

The dojo was so quiet. Well, it would have been if it hadn't been for Hiko's laughing!

Kaoru suddenly gathered her wits and jumped up. "Of course I will!" She shouted happily! Diving towards Toramaru, she gave him quite a passionate kiss! "Ooppss!" She giggled, pulling back suddenly. "Wrong one!" She let go of the very red Toramaru and ran for Kenshin instead. Toramaru passed out. Kaoru even downed a Sumo wrestler? Just another victory to add to her long list under her title as the strongest!

Meanwhile, Kenshin was standing with a very dumbfounded look on his face. "Oro? What just happened here? Did sessha miss something?" Kaoru reached him and threw her arms around him in a very exuberant embrace. "Oh, shut up and kiss me!"

Kenshin suddenly shrugged his shoulders and grinned. Who was he to look a gift horse in the mouth? The moment was looking to be pretty steamy and romantic, but...Hiko's around, remember? Sorry to burst your bubble!

Loud laughter drifted over from the porch where Hiko was still perched, barely able to keep his balance after all the sake and laughing. "I'm starting to feel left out baka deshi! Can't you share your evil girlfriend? She kissed that other guy, it's my turn!" He yelled.

Steam started to rise from Kaoru's head. Steamy was right, but not in a romantic sense! Kaoru stomped over to Hiko, dragging Kenshin behind her. She paused in Hiko's face and almost shoved a finger up his nose! The man looked SCARED! (Evil laugh!)

"Kenshin and I 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 in a place where the sun don't shine! And with the place I have in mind, you'll never be able sit down again!"

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 terror! Kaoru truly can scare everyone, can't she?

.

.


.

.

An unseen observer watched the couple from a distance. Kaoru looked so angry, and Kenshin looked so hen pecked as she dragged him across the yard! 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 having to eat her cooking, I of all people should know better than anyone."

Enishi moved from his hiding place in Saitou's tree, and went on his way, satisfied with the outcome. He waved goodbye to Saitou, also perched in his beloved tree, and Saitou stuck out his tongue at Enishi and then went back to chewing on some more bark. Enishi sighed happily. Life truly is just...

.

.


.

.

What about Toramaru? There had to be a reason behind such a visit...someone must have put him up to it!

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

Toramaru happily took the payment, relieved to have the ordeal over with. "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?

"A happy ending after all. Well, at least it's finally taken care of! I love Kaoru-chan, but this is for the best. Think of all the girls who will fawn over me now that I succeeded in pairing up the most wonderful anime couple of all time for them! I can't wait!"

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

.

.

.

.

Well, sadly, that is the end. Thank you so much to every single person who has bothered to read this story, it's my first major fanfiction ever! I hope no one will hesitate to write me and tell me what they think of it, or better yet, leave me a review! I'm sad that it's over, but I hope I can write many more good ones!