Chapter 5. (Finale) The End of a Day
The Kenshin-gumi arrived at the Kamiya-dojo an hour before lunch. Obviously, they were really and I mean really hungry. Kenshin, after removing his suit, proceeded to cook lunch. Sano remained in the corridor while watching Kaoru, now in her training gi and hakama amazingly practicing with an equally hungry Yahiko.
"C'mon bosu! You know I can't fight this way." Dodging an attack.
"Sou da ne?" Kaoru's sly voice returned still attacking him with her shinai.
"I," blocking from above. "Didn't even eat breakfast!" stepping back, panting.
"If you intend to be the "greatest samurai" you're bragging about, it would take more than not eating your breakfast to put you down, understand?" Kaoru said pointing her shinai at the sore boy and gesturing him to come and attack.
"Hai!" That was the only warning Yahiko gave and proceeded to attack Kaoru running as fast as his limbs could. Kaoru's reflexes worked instantly. Quickly and gracefully dodging the attack of her deshi sending Yahiko tumbling down gasping for air.
"Motto?" her voice teasing while her brow arched up.
Yahiko was about to answer but was cut off by Kenshin's."Later." He was standing at the kitchen's door with no sign of exhaustion now in his hakama and gi.
"Yatta! Lunch's ready right?" Sano exclaimed standing from where he was sitting. Kenshin looked at him and nodded.
"It's about time!" Yahiko chimed leaping as he said so. "Just wait till lunch's finished! I'll get you bosu!" his voice was fierce and somewhat serious or was he aware of what he said?
"Try if you can!" Kaoru returned her eyes narrowing while her lips grinned.
Kenshin looked at her and nodded with a smile.
* * *
"This" Yahiko sipping the miso soup. "is" then proceeding to put the whole tofu in his mouth. "delicious!" finishing by gulping the rice in the bowl.
"Your manners Yahiko!." Kaoru snapped looking at the boy with glaring eyes. This boy wasn't only her student. He was more than that. More than to teach him how to defend and fight with the sword. He was almost her son. A son to take care of. "How are you supposed to beat me when your tummy's full?"
"E?! Ara." Yahiko finally realized the horror of reality. Just then that he remembered what he said a while ago. "I, I was just joking! B-besides, I'm going to, to the. Akabeko. Yeah! That's it I'm going to the Akabeko!"
"What?! I thought I heard you say, you're going to beat me?" she said in disappointment.
"W-well, m-maybe I was just really hungry. Sometimes, I say things I don't mean to when I'm hungry." He reasoned and gave out a watery laugh.
"Chicken!" Sano teased looking at the spiky head below his eyes.
"No I'm not! Look who's talking! You're the one whose chicken! Boy, did ya freak out in that bed at Andrew's house which you called a what? A monster! Ahahaha!!!" he replied laughing.
"Yamero!" Sano shook him.
Andrew.Kenshin thought.
Himura-san.A voice called out to Kenshin. You promised to stay with Kaoru and promised to tell her what happened, remember? The voice rang again.
"Oro~!?!" Kenshin exclaimed. That word he said stopped the argument between the two. All eyes; Kaoru's blue, Yahiko's black and Sano's brown stared at him.
"Kenshin, are you all right?" Kaoru asked her forehead crumpled.
"Hai. I am all right." He assured at them smiling. I hope I am.
* * * Lunch ended and all of them proceeded to their usual routines. Yahiko went to the Akabeko secretly leaving a furious Kaoru training by herself. Sano went to his usual doings--- gambling and drinking sake. And our rurouni with the chores.
Finishing the dishes, he collected the dirty clothes which mostly comprised of the wedding suit he wore and the kimono which Kaoru wore. He smiled at the memory and blushed when he remembered how he kissed her accidentally and unconsciously.
Outside, he proceeded washing them enjoying the quiet afternoon. With both Yahiko and Sano out, the dojo remained still and quiet with only the sounds of nature filling in the gaps.
Kenshin sighed looking at the kimono he was hanging on the laundry line to dry. He remembered how Kaoru wore it back then. She was immaculate. Kaoru's an angel . She was indeed one. Not only on the outside but also on the inside. She accepted me even though I was someone who should never be accepted by any one else. She gave me a place which I could call my home. People whom I can call as friends. A family. Things, I never had. And, all of those, she never wanted anything in exchange. I can never think of anything on how to repay her.
You can repay her! That voice was familiar. That was the voice he heard this lunch that was.
Andrew-san?. He thought.
You can repay her Himura-san! It came again.
Kenshin was confused. He found himself sitting on a prairie. The sun was shining, the sky was blue. The grass and trees forever lush.
You love her don't you? The voice became clearer as a tall figure came walking towards him. What his thoughts were telling him were true. It was Andrew.
Answer me, you love her, ne? He asked again his eyes sparkling.
Kenshin sighed. Yes. I do love her. Very much. But I don't know if she feels the same for me. And even if she did, I do not deserve her. He admitted bitterly.
Doushite? Because of your past? Look, Himura-san, I have no rights to tell you about.
About what? No answer just Andrew's devilish but angelic smile. The smile remained as Andrew began to faint into the background. He was going transparent, then nothing.
About what.About what Andrew-san.???
A gust of wind blew making his hair whip his face bringing him back to reality. His hand holding the gown which was the only garment left not hanged was suspended in the air after that confusing and riddling talk with Andrew. Recognizing it was near afternoon, he hung the gown and arranged the place where he washed and went inside to take some rest.
Walking through the polished corridor, he stopped to find Kaoru sitting on the dojo's entrance hall enjoying the afternoon breeze making her ink-black hair ruffle over her face. She was wearing the same training gi she wore when he accused him of being the Hitokiri-Battousai in the streets of Tokyo almost a year ago. Kirei. He thought smiling at the pleasant picture she presented casting a spell on him.
"Kenshin!" she called out sweetly.
"Oro~!!"
She silently chuckled. "Do you need anything?"
"Nothing, Kaoru-dono." Moving his head left and right. "I was just thinking about something."
"Something? About what?" she asked.
"Nothing much.Nothing. Never mind Kaoru-dono." he plainly answered.
She shook his head. "If you say so. Don't you want to take a sit?" she patted the space next to her invitingly.
"Aa." He nodded and walked to her seating himself next to her. She smiled in return and then returned to stare back at crystal clear sky.
They remained like that for some time both didn't knew how long. Just enjoying the companionship and the soothing atmosphere the afternoon brought.
Suddenly, both remembered something.
"Kaoru, about what Andrew-san said." Kenshin spoke as Kaoru said the same lines too, "Kenshin, about what Andrew-san said."
Both came to a stop looking at each other. Both giggled at the incident.
"You see." another phrase which they said equally.
"You go first, Kenshin." Kaoru smiled.
"Nah. You go first Kaoru-dono." he returned.
"No. I won't if you don't go first, deal?" she said her other brow raised up.
He gave out a heavy sigh accepting his defeat. And then looked at her with those gentle violet eyes. "Well, to tell the truth.about that k-kiss."
She looked at him with those eyes encouraging him to continue.
"Umm, you were possessed by Sakura-dono's spirit and me by Matthew-dono's. I really didn't mean to be so rude. Sumanu Kaoru-dono." he confessed.
"Daijobou." She smiled getting to her feet walking a step or two. "Is that what Andrew told you to tell me this morning?" she stopped and turned to look at him with laughing blue eyes.
"Actually, that's not about it." Came the answer swift and hesitant.
"Huh?!?" she asked. Kenshin quickly got up to his feet and wrapped his arms tightly around her. He was so fast that Kaoru didn't even saw him move. The only thing she felt was Kenshin's heat washing and drowning her.
"Kaoru." He said. No honorific. Just Kaoru. The name which means fragrant. She felt her name sound so special because it came from Kenshin's lips. "Did you." he gulped trying to sort out his words to explain his actions. "Do you, do you love me even by the slightest chance?" he finally said moving her closer to him.
"What, what do you mean?" she asked in a low tone her cheeks blushing terribly.
"Do you love me like, like someone you wanted? Someone you want to be with forever?" his voice had signs of him wanting to cry.
"Kenshin." he felt the same way Kaoru did when she heard him say Kaoru. Heart of Sword. That's what Kenshin means. Now, it sounded very endearing and masculine because . I hear you say it.He whispered to himself.
"Kenshin, how could you not know? Ai shiteru." She returned. Her answer a balm to all of Kenshin's torn emotions. She loved him! Loved him! And he even thought he was unworthy.
"For real? After all I've done? After slaying people mercilessly? After you and the others getting hurt because of my past? And even, of you almost getting-"
Kenshin didn't finish. He was cut off by Kaoru's fingers draped over his lips. Looking at her, those blue eyes lovingly staring at him. Reaching deep into his soul.
"After bringing peace to Japan, changing your life and atoning for your sins? Promising never to kill again to honor those you have killed? After protecting and saving not only me but also other people when we need help? Kenshin, can you not see you're different now?" her voice was stern and serious.
I'm different now.Andrew-san said so. I didn't believe it though. But Kaoru said it herself. Why am I making myself to believe I'm not? I love her. She loves me.
"But, Kaoru."
"But nothing. Your now Himura Kenshin and not Himura Battousai, am I correct?" she answered confidently.
"You really think so?" he asked impossibly.
She chuckled. "Hai! Zettai ni."
"Andrew-san was right then." he whispered silently.
"About wha---" she didn't had the chance to continue. By then, Kenshin's lips were already sweeping over hers. Kissing her possessively and sweetly. She clung to him giving her self up to him. All of her. Her soul, her strengths, weaknesses. Her life. All of her. And he gave himself in return.
Both remained in that "activity" for some time. But of course, needed to gasp for air. They looked at each others eye feeling a sense of completion. They were. For the last piece of their lives were finally completed. Being together.forever.
"You know, the time and effort to wash those clothes cost me this morning will finally pay off." Kenshin said chuckling releasing Kaoru slowly.
"Huh?!?" Kaoru asked.
"They will have a good use after all!" he returned enveloping her fragile hands in his.
Kaoru giggled. "How?" she asked as if not knowing what Kenshin was getting into.
"You'll see. Come, Kaoru, help me get them inside." His garnet eyes slyly looking at her.
"Hai, Kenshin, anata." Kaoru returned.
"Aa." He squeezed Kaoru's hand urging her to walk. Happy at her response. Together walking to the yard, a gust of gentle wind passed the couple. This was the end of Kenshin's journey. His search for happiness and joy were now in hand. This was now the beginning of his life. His new life with his beloved.
~Owari~
Mariel Raizza G. Argonza
June 23, 2001, 7:44 PM
Revised April 14, 2002
Nikki_Himura@Yahoo.com
* * *
Author's note:
Kawaranai ai ga aru naro is finally finished!!! My thanks to Pinky-chan for listening to me in the first place and again urging me to finish it. Sumanu for giving you goose bumps then. Izel-chan arigatou! (For the Questor) Anyway, I'm planning another fan fic. One which Kaoru gets an amnesia. I can't figure a way how to do it yet. But I'm hoping to.
Arigatou again to Kami-sama. You're the source of everything. And again to my computer and lampshade. You guys are the greatest!!!
What else? Sorry to anyone offended in this fic. It was just needed and not intentional.
The Kenshin-gumi arrived at the Kamiya-dojo an hour before lunch. Obviously, they were really and I mean really hungry. Kenshin, after removing his suit, proceeded to cook lunch. Sano remained in the corridor while watching Kaoru, now in her training gi and hakama amazingly practicing with an equally hungry Yahiko.
"C'mon bosu! You know I can't fight this way." Dodging an attack.
"Sou da ne?" Kaoru's sly voice returned still attacking him with her shinai.
"I," blocking from above. "Didn't even eat breakfast!" stepping back, panting.
"If you intend to be the "greatest samurai" you're bragging about, it would take more than not eating your breakfast to put you down, understand?" Kaoru said pointing her shinai at the sore boy and gesturing him to come and attack.
"Hai!" That was the only warning Yahiko gave and proceeded to attack Kaoru running as fast as his limbs could. Kaoru's reflexes worked instantly. Quickly and gracefully dodging the attack of her deshi sending Yahiko tumbling down gasping for air.
"Motto?" her voice teasing while her brow arched up.
Yahiko was about to answer but was cut off by Kenshin's."Later." He was standing at the kitchen's door with no sign of exhaustion now in his hakama and gi.
"Yatta! Lunch's ready right?" Sano exclaimed standing from where he was sitting. Kenshin looked at him and nodded.
"It's about time!" Yahiko chimed leaping as he said so. "Just wait till lunch's finished! I'll get you bosu!" his voice was fierce and somewhat serious or was he aware of what he said?
"Try if you can!" Kaoru returned her eyes narrowing while her lips grinned.
Kenshin looked at her and nodded with a smile.
* * *
"This" Yahiko sipping the miso soup. "is" then proceeding to put the whole tofu in his mouth. "delicious!" finishing by gulping the rice in the bowl.
"Your manners Yahiko!." Kaoru snapped looking at the boy with glaring eyes. This boy wasn't only her student. He was more than that. More than to teach him how to defend and fight with the sword. He was almost her son. A son to take care of. "How are you supposed to beat me when your tummy's full?"
"E?! Ara." Yahiko finally realized the horror of reality. Just then that he remembered what he said a while ago. "I, I was just joking! B-besides, I'm going to, to the. Akabeko. Yeah! That's it I'm going to the Akabeko!"
"What?! I thought I heard you say, you're going to beat me?" she said in disappointment.
"W-well, m-maybe I was just really hungry. Sometimes, I say things I don't mean to when I'm hungry." He reasoned and gave out a watery laugh.
"Chicken!" Sano teased looking at the spiky head below his eyes.
"No I'm not! Look who's talking! You're the one whose chicken! Boy, did ya freak out in that bed at Andrew's house which you called a what? A monster! Ahahaha!!!" he replied laughing.
"Yamero!" Sano shook him.
Andrew.Kenshin thought.
Himura-san.A voice called out to Kenshin. You promised to stay with Kaoru and promised to tell her what happened, remember? The voice rang again.
"Oro~!?!" Kenshin exclaimed. That word he said stopped the argument between the two. All eyes; Kaoru's blue, Yahiko's black and Sano's brown stared at him.
"Kenshin, are you all right?" Kaoru asked her forehead crumpled.
"Hai. I am all right." He assured at them smiling. I hope I am.
* * * Lunch ended and all of them proceeded to their usual routines. Yahiko went to the Akabeko secretly leaving a furious Kaoru training by herself. Sano went to his usual doings--- gambling and drinking sake. And our rurouni with the chores.
Finishing the dishes, he collected the dirty clothes which mostly comprised of the wedding suit he wore and the kimono which Kaoru wore. He smiled at the memory and blushed when he remembered how he kissed her accidentally and unconsciously.
Outside, he proceeded washing them enjoying the quiet afternoon. With both Yahiko and Sano out, the dojo remained still and quiet with only the sounds of nature filling in the gaps.
Kenshin sighed looking at the kimono he was hanging on the laundry line to dry. He remembered how Kaoru wore it back then. She was immaculate. Kaoru's an angel . She was indeed one. Not only on the outside but also on the inside. She accepted me even though I was someone who should never be accepted by any one else. She gave me a place which I could call my home. People whom I can call as friends. A family. Things, I never had. And, all of those, she never wanted anything in exchange. I can never think of anything on how to repay her.
You can repay her! That voice was familiar. That was the voice he heard this lunch that was.
Andrew-san?. He thought.
You can repay her Himura-san! It came again.
Kenshin was confused. He found himself sitting on a prairie. The sun was shining, the sky was blue. The grass and trees forever lush.
You love her don't you? The voice became clearer as a tall figure came walking towards him. What his thoughts were telling him were true. It was Andrew.
Answer me, you love her, ne? He asked again his eyes sparkling.
Kenshin sighed. Yes. I do love her. Very much. But I don't know if she feels the same for me. And even if she did, I do not deserve her. He admitted bitterly.
Doushite? Because of your past? Look, Himura-san, I have no rights to tell you about.
About what? No answer just Andrew's devilish but angelic smile. The smile remained as Andrew began to faint into the background. He was going transparent, then nothing.
About what.About what Andrew-san.???
A gust of wind blew making his hair whip his face bringing him back to reality. His hand holding the gown which was the only garment left not hanged was suspended in the air after that confusing and riddling talk with Andrew. Recognizing it was near afternoon, he hung the gown and arranged the place where he washed and went inside to take some rest.
Walking through the polished corridor, he stopped to find Kaoru sitting on the dojo's entrance hall enjoying the afternoon breeze making her ink-black hair ruffle over her face. She was wearing the same training gi she wore when he accused him of being the Hitokiri-Battousai in the streets of Tokyo almost a year ago. Kirei. He thought smiling at the pleasant picture she presented casting a spell on him.
"Kenshin!" she called out sweetly.
"Oro~!!"
She silently chuckled. "Do you need anything?"
"Nothing, Kaoru-dono." Moving his head left and right. "I was just thinking about something."
"Something? About what?" she asked.
"Nothing much.Nothing. Never mind Kaoru-dono." he plainly answered.
She shook his head. "If you say so. Don't you want to take a sit?" she patted the space next to her invitingly.
"Aa." He nodded and walked to her seating himself next to her. She smiled in return and then returned to stare back at crystal clear sky.
They remained like that for some time both didn't knew how long. Just enjoying the companionship and the soothing atmosphere the afternoon brought.
Suddenly, both remembered something.
"Kaoru, about what Andrew-san said." Kenshin spoke as Kaoru said the same lines too, "Kenshin, about what Andrew-san said."
Both came to a stop looking at each other. Both giggled at the incident.
"You see." another phrase which they said equally.
"You go first, Kenshin." Kaoru smiled.
"Nah. You go first Kaoru-dono." he returned.
"No. I won't if you don't go first, deal?" she said her other brow raised up.
He gave out a heavy sigh accepting his defeat. And then looked at her with those gentle violet eyes. "Well, to tell the truth.about that k-kiss."
She looked at him with those eyes encouraging him to continue.
"Umm, you were possessed by Sakura-dono's spirit and me by Matthew-dono's. I really didn't mean to be so rude. Sumanu Kaoru-dono." he confessed.
"Daijobou." She smiled getting to her feet walking a step or two. "Is that what Andrew told you to tell me this morning?" she stopped and turned to look at him with laughing blue eyes.
"Actually, that's not about it." Came the answer swift and hesitant.
"Huh?!?" she asked. Kenshin quickly got up to his feet and wrapped his arms tightly around her. He was so fast that Kaoru didn't even saw him move. The only thing she felt was Kenshin's heat washing and drowning her.
"Kaoru." He said. No honorific. Just Kaoru. The name which means fragrant. She felt her name sound so special because it came from Kenshin's lips. "Did you." he gulped trying to sort out his words to explain his actions. "Do you, do you love me even by the slightest chance?" he finally said moving her closer to him.
"What, what do you mean?" she asked in a low tone her cheeks blushing terribly.
"Do you love me like, like someone you wanted? Someone you want to be with forever?" his voice had signs of him wanting to cry.
"Kenshin." he felt the same way Kaoru did when she heard him say Kaoru. Heart of Sword. That's what Kenshin means. Now, it sounded very endearing and masculine because . I hear you say it.He whispered to himself.
"Kenshin, how could you not know? Ai shiteru." She returned. Her answer a balm to all of Kenshin's torn emotions. She loved him! Loved him! And he even thought he was unworthy.
"For real? After all I've done? After slaying people mercilessly? After you and the others getting hurt because of my past? And even, of you almost getting-"
Kenshin didn't finish. He was cut off by Kaoru's fingers draped over his lips. Looking at her, those blue eyes lovingly staring at him. Reaching deep into his soul.
"After bringing peace to Japan, changing your life and atoning for your sins? Promising never to kill again to honor those you have killed? After protecting and saving not only me but also other people when we need help? Kenshin, can you not see you're different now?" her voice was stern and serious.
I'm different now.Andrew-san said so. I didn't believe it though. But Kaoru said it herself. Why am I making myself to believe I'm not? I love her. She loves me.
"But, Kaoru."
"But nothing. Your now Himura Kenshin and not Himura Battousai, am I correct?" she answered confidently.
"You really think so?" he asked impossibly.
She chuckled. "Hai! Zettai ni."
"Andrew-san was right then." he whispered silently.
"About wha---" she didn't had the chance to continue. By then, Kenshin's lips were already sweeping over hers. Kissing her possessively and sweetly. She clung to him giving her self up to him. All of her. Her soul, her strengths, weaknesses. Her life. All of her. And he gave himself in return.
Both remained in that "activity" for some time. But of course, needed to gasp for air. They looked at each others eye feeling a sense of completion. They were. For the last piece of their lives were finally completed. Being together.forever.
"You know, the time and effort to wash those clothes cost me this morning will finally pay off." Kenshin said chuckling releasing Kaoru slowly.
"Huh?!?" Kaoru asked.
"They will have a good use after all!" he returned enveloping her fragile hands in his.
Kaoru giggled. "How?" she asked as if not knowing what Kenshin was getting into.
"You'll see. Come, Kaoru, help me get them inside." His garnet eyes slyly looking at her.
"Hai, Kenshin, anata." Kaoru returned.
"Aa." He squeezed Kaoru's hand urging her to walk. Happy at her response. Together walking to the yard, a gust of gentle wind passed the couple. This was the end of Kenshin's journey. His search for happiness and joy were now in hand. This was now the beginning of his life. His new life with his beloved.
~Owari~
Mariel Raizza G. Argonza
June 23, 2001, 7:44 PM
Revised April 14, 2002
Nikki_Himura@Yahoo.com
* * *
Author's note:
Kawaranai ai ga aru naro is finally finished!!! My thanks to Pinky-chan for listening to me in the first place and again urging me to finish it. Sumanu for giving you goose bumps then. Izel-chan arigatou! (For the Questor) Anyway, I'm planning another fan fic. One which Kaoru gets an amnesia. I can't figure a way how to do it yet. But I'm hoping to.
Arigatou again to Kami-sama. You're the source of everything. And again to my computer and lampshade. You guys are the greatest!!!
What else? Sorry to anyone offended in this fic. It was just needed and not intentional.
