Standard Disclaimers Apply. The rights to Rurouni Kenshin are exclusively owned by Watsuki Nobuhiro, Sony Entertainment, Shueisha, Jump Comics and other associated groups. Do not sue!!! I am writing this to satiate my urge to write.

Lie to Me

Chapter Eight: Happy Ending?

~~~~~

[Kenshin]

I could not believe my eyes… it was her.

Kaoru.

She stared at me wide eyes filled with surprise, confusion and hurt.

I was expecting that she would turn around and walk away or even slap me on my face, but she didn't. She just stood there, waiting for me to make the next move. At that time, I wanted to run to her and apologize but I didn't have the guts to do so. What I did to her was unjustifiable and I didn't expect to be forgiven.

I wanted to walk away but this time, I couldn't. My heart was screaming for her and I just could not ignore it anymore.

So, mustering up my courage, I approached her. I bowed down my head in shame and said, "I'm sorry."

~~~~~

[Kaoru]

I knew I should have been mad. I knew I should just walk away like he did. Ignore him even… but my heart couldn't stay mad at him for long. I tilted up his downcast head to look at his eyes, held his hand and said, "I forgive you. For whatever reason you had for leaving, I forgive you."

He looked back at me, shocked at my words. He smiled as he caressed my hand with his thumb. "Do you know that you are too good to be true?"

Hey! That's my line!

But of course, I couldn't say that. I didn't want to ruin the mood just like what he did so I settled to, "My sentiments exactly."

I allowed him to lead me around the carnival hand in hand as we observed the shows, lights, games and rides. My mind kept telling me that this happiness I was feeling was ephemeral. That I was just giving myself a taste of something that I couldn't have, but I couldn't.

I couldn't let go.

I didn't care if he would be gone tomorrow.

At least, I had this night to relish. So that in the next lonely and empty nights, I would have this memory to fill me.

We spent the rest of the evening talking and getting to know each other. I felt so comfortable with him that I felt as if we were childhood friends. We shared our secrets and laughed at our embarrassing moments.

Just then, our laughter was cut short when Kenshin, tugged my hand and pointed at the sky. He exclaimed, "Look Kaoru! The fireworks are starting!"

I nodded gleefully as I gazed up at the wonderful display of lights. "It's beautiful!"

"Come, let's take a closer look!" he said as he led me to the ferry's wheel.

"Alright!" I didn't know if it was because of the running that made my heart beat so rapidly or because we are going to alone in a ferry's wheel, under the stars, by the light of fireworks.

~~~~~

[Kenshin]

I shifted nervously on my seat, as I gazed at her illumined face. "Are you having a good time?"

"Yes."

There was a long stretch of silence as we both watched the fireworks. Our lack of conversation didn't really bother me but there was something that I want to tell her. I whispered, "Kaoru…"

"Hmmm…" she replied, facing me.

"I'm sorry for leaving."

The beautiful princess in front of me smiled and caressed my cheek, "I already told you I forgive you, right?"

"Yes, but…" At her single touch, I felt my heart stop. How was it that this woman seemed to control the impulses of my body.

"What?" she asked curiously.

Looking away, I replied, "Nothing."

"Kenshin…"

No… I can't chicken out this time!

"…Why did you leave?" she asked, looking directly into my eyes, penetrating my soul, filling my heart. "I was expecting that we would have the chance to…"

I stared at her in shock as I silently prayed, Oh please! I hope she doesn't bring up the kiss!

"… talk."

Thank you!

"… but then you left without saying goodbye. Why?"

I looked back at her hurt-filled eyes and answered, "For all honesty, I was scared…"

"Sacred of what? Did I do something wrong?"

Baka Kenshin! Now you've made her feel bad! I shook my head violently and said, "No, you did everything perfectly, that is why I am scared…"

She looked at my quizzically making me smile. I gathered her hands on mine and whispered as I pressed my forehead against hers, "… that I am starting to fall in love with you."

Kaoru's eyes widened but she did not pull back. 

I continued, "I don't know why, but I do… From the minute I saw you in the lake, you had captured me." Scared that I might had said to much, I apologized, "I'm sorry, do you think that I am too mushy? That everything is happening too fast?"

"Not really. It's just that… I feel the exact same way," she said, cupping my cheeks. She pressed her nose against mine until our shallow breaths mingled. "I never thought that love would come to me this way," she smiled contentedly.

I smiled back and asked teasingly, "Do you wish that it would have been better?"

"No… everything happened perfectly."

I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her closer to me as I lowered my lips to capture hers. Just like how I hoped it would be, it was a slow and sweet kiss and we were looking at each other's fervent eyes during our lip-lock.

She wrapped her arms around me and pulled me closer. Then she did the most unexpected thing, she parted her lips, thrusting her tongue inside my mouth.

It's not that I didn't want too nor did I assume that she didn't know how to kiss. It's just that I thought she would wait for me to deepen the kiss. No, her gesture is not unwelcome. In fact, I am happy to know that her feelings for me is true.

And I am glad she took the initiative.

Minutes later, the carriage stopped on the ground, so we pulled back, still staring at each other's eyes, panting. The couple next in line were staring at us but I didn't care, neither did she.

I helped her step out of the carriage as I pressed another kiss on her swollen lips. I asked, "When can I see you again?"

She burst out of happiness, throwing her arms around me and exclaimed, "I thought that after tonight, we'll never see each other again!"

"Of course not! I will never let you go after waiting for you for so long!" I whispered to her ear as I hugged her back tightly.

We melted in our sweet embrace as the last set of fireworks faded in the dark sky.

~~~~~

[Misao]

"You look absolutely radiant."

"Thank you," I replied, bowing my head to hide the deep flush that had formed on my cheeks.

Breathe, Misao. Breathe. You can do this.

"Shall we go in?" he asked as he offered his hand to escort me inside.

I looked up at him, biting my lower lip in nervousness and said shakily, "Wait."

"Is there anything wrong?" he asked as he raised up his hand to caress my cheek.

I stirred away from his touch, tears starting to form in my eyes, "Aoshi, I'm sorry. Please don't."

"Why?"

I led him out of the entrance of the restaurant to the garden. I took a deep breath and began almost uncertainly, "Ano… I haven't been completely honest with you."

"I…"

I raised my finger to his lips to silence him and continued, "Please let me finish first, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lie to you. I'm not Kaoru Kamiya. I am her sister. I took her place during that book signing because she wasn't feeling well. I'm sorry. I know that after this, you wouldn't want to see me again… So there… I just want to sincerely apologize," I glanced up at him with apologetic eyes and then I turned to leave.

This was it! If only I hadn't lied then, maybe. Just maybe…

"Wait Misao!" he called out, grabbing my arm.

Blood drained from my face as I turned to face him. "Ho… How did you know my name?"

"Because I knew who you were all along."

My eyes widened. He knew?

"Have you noticed that I had never ever called you Kaoru?" he asked smiling at me, obviously amused.

"When did you find out?" I spat out.

I knew it was inappropriate to ask him when did he find out that I was lying but I had to know. Truth be told, my heart is pounding furiously at the thought that he asked me as me. Not as Kaoru.

"After the date," he replied. "You interested me, intrigued me even, so I researched things about you…"

"And?" I asked, a huge smile starting to form on my face.

"…and that's when I learned that you are not you. I mean the you that you have introduced to me."

"Then, why did you still ask me out?"

I know… I am pushing it. But I have to know if this man in front of me really likes me. Okay, so I am already fishing for compliments. But I can't help it!

"I am honestly interested in you." He cupped my cheeks and continued, "Not Kaoru. Not the book. Besides, don't you think I would notice the difference between the color of your eyes?"

"Oh." Why haven't I thought of that before?

He pulled my closer to him, wrapped his arms around me and whispered, "Everything you told me inside the restaurant struck a chord. You're right. I do need something to flame my passion… and you know what? I want it to be you."

I pulled back and looked at him with my tear-filled eyes as I tiptoed to capture his lips on my own.

The truth does set you free.

Author's Notes:

I am so sorry for not updating in a LONG time!!! Real life can really harass a person, ne? Anywayz, I hope this waffy chapter makes up for it! Tell me what you think, okay? Also, I would be able to update regularly again in a couple of weeks. Much thanks to all those who emailed me to update this, Liv, Claria and to all of my reviewers and visitors of my webby. I appreciate them all! Sorry for not leaving individual notes as of now… but know that I really appreciate everything.

Important Announcement:

Sad to say, I had been a victim of plagiarism. One author, Alannah claimed to have written my fic "A Beautiful Spring Day". I had written this fic last June 13, 2002 and I had posted it on my site Indulgence. It was so shocking to see that not only did she not even change the author's notes I had written, she had also destroyed its essence when she altered its form. To top it all off, she claimed that it was her 2nd fic.

Thanks to gypsy-chan, I was informed of this. Also, thanks to chibi-rinoa and marstanuki who defended my name. I guess, you guys know me well enough to know that I do not plagiarize and I do not tolerate others who do. Authors out there, I suggest you check out the fics listed under her name because it might be yours. We can never be too sure.

This thing is so disheartening because it's like seeing all your hard work stolen. Minna, thanks for all your support and I hope that this thing wouldn't continue.

Dementedchris, you're right… P.I.!

Leave me a review. ^__^