Thanks for the great reviews keep em coming! Good or bad, I read them all. My hubby and I have a new favorite "In the mood" song. It's "If You're Not The One" by Daniel Beddingfield. Check it out. If that doesn't get you in the mood for romance, nothing will! I wanted to continue this with Yahiko and Sanosuke, but I don't think I can top Sano seeing his beloved Captain Saguro (was I the only one who cried during that scene?) and I just don't have any ideas for Yahiko. After all, I've never been a boy, so I have no clue what a boy's heart's desire would be. Anyway, this is my last shot at this. Maybe someone else out there would like to continue it.
Twice Upon A Dream
"Kaoru, wake up, that's the fifth time you've played the wrong card!" Yahiko said sharply, glaring at her in exasperation. They had just finished lunch and were passing the time by playing cards. "What's wrong with you today?"
"I'm sorry, Yahiko. I'm worried about Kenshin. I hope he's all right. I wonder what he's doing right now?"
"Aw, don't worry about Kenshin, he'll be fine. He's probably nearly to Kyoto by now."
Yahiko said this confidently, though truth to tell he was just as worried. They were dealing with the most ruthless assassins in Japan. He had felt someone watching them in Tokyo and still had the feeling they were being watched. But Sanosuke had entrusted him with Kaoru's well being and he didn't want to add to her fears.
Kaoru stood up abruptly, unable to sit still anymore.
"I'm going up on deck for some fresh air. I'll be back soon, Yahiko." She announced as she headed for the door.
"I should go with you. I'm supposed to be watching out for you, you know." Yahiko reminded her.
"I'll be fine, Yahiko. After all, I am the assistant master of the Kamiya Kashin style. I can take care of myself just fine, thank you!" She headed out the door without waiting for a reply.
She walked down the companionway and climbed the stairs to the deck. There were few passengers in sight. Most were having lunch or taking a nap. She passed one of the crew scrubbing the deck and he nodded at her courteously. She smiled back and made her way over to the rail. She sat on some crates next to the bulkhead and rested her elbows on the rail propping her chin in her hands. Try as hard as she could, she just couldn't seem to get that dream out of her mind. It had left her feeling restless and edgy. Maybe some time up here would clear her head.
She could hear the sound of the ropes creaking and the sails snapping and popping in the breeze. Otherwise it was quiet, peaceful quiet that lulled the senses and soothed the soul. The sea was calm and gray, the sunlight sparkling like diamonds on the water. It reminded her of the river by her house, she thought drowsily. She and Kenshin had often sat by the river in the evening, just the two of them, talking....
***
Kaoru was sitting by the river watching the moonlight shimmer and dance across the water when she heard the sound of someone approaching. She could smell the cherry blossoms in the air as the floated to the ground to land at her feet. As she turned to look Kenshin stepped out of the trees and came over to sit beside her on the opposite side of the fallen tree she was sitting on. He touched her cheek with his fingers, his eyes gentle and understanding. Laying her hands on his lapels, Kaoru gathered the material in her hands and leaned over, resting her cheek on his chest where the fabric parted on his jacket. The scent and warmth of his skin filled her senses. Though she had promised herself she wouldn't cry anymore, hot tears fell from her eyes onto him. He put his arms around her and rested his head on top of hers. She felt safe, cherished and protected. His hands stroked her back soothingly. After a minute she lifted her head and looked into his eyes. He took her hand in his and placed it over his heart, clasping it against his chest. She could feel his heart beating faster beneath her hand and her eyes filled with wonder.
'For me?' her eyes questioned silently. He smiled and nodded. She spread her fingers over it, her eyes shining. Kenshin's eyes darkened and his hand slid around the curve of her neck to draw her face to his, his lips descending on hers. There was nothing hesitant about it this time, it was full of passion and promise, the kind of kiss she had always dreamed about. Kaoru put her arms around his neck and loosened the ribbon in his hair. She combed her fingers through it, spreading it out to fan across his shoulders like a red flame. Suddenly he broke off the kiss to bury his face in her hair, then he kissed her neck softly.
Aisuru.' He whispered against her, his breath warm on her neck. My heart, my life.'
Kaoru's hands fisted in his hair as she held his head to her, unable to speak, she could only feel. He trailed kisses up her neck to her chin, then took her mouth again in a searing kiss that left her weak and breathless.
'Please, Buddha, if this is a dream, may I never wake up. Pleaseā¦'
***
"KAORU!"
Kaoru opened her eyes and blinked at the bright light. Yahiko was standing over her shaking her by the shoulder.
"Are you all right? I've been looking all over for you! I got worried when you didn't come back. Didn't you hear me calling you?"
Kaoru blinked slowly and looked at Yahiko, confused and disturbed. It had happened again. The dream had been so real. It was as if someone was taking her most secret fantasies and bringing them to life. What was going on? It was just a dream, wasn't it?
She rose to her feet and shook out the folds of her kimono, straightening out the creases. She wasn't sure why, but on impulse she had worn the one with the purple flowers. Kenshin had often admired it.
"Let's go back to the cabin, Yahiko. We have to pack. Tomorrow we arrive in Kyoto." Somehow they would find Kenshin, no matter how long it took. She headed for the stairs that led below deck, walking briskly. Yahiko started to follow then noticed something on the deck. He picked it up and examined it, puzzled. It was a cherry blossom. Now how had that gotten there? He shrugged and tossed it away. The breeze caught it and it blew away, disappearing into the sky.
***
"HIMURA! WAKE UP!"
Kenshin woke suddenly to find he was lying facedown in the dirt, Misao standing over him.
"What's the matter, Himura? You always take a nap after lunch or didn't get enough sleep last night? By the way, did you know you talk in your sleep? Who's Kaoru?"
She's lucky I recognized her voice or she'd be dead right now. Though she does hit pretty hard for someone her size.' he thought to himself, preferring to ignore her question in a way that never ceased to annoy her. She shrugged and walked off. She knew from experience that if he didn't want to answer, nothing would get him to.
Kenshin rose to his feet and dusted himself off. What had happened? One minute he was looking out at the forest, then he was in the middle of another incredible dream. Just then something fluttered out of his clothes and landed on the ground at his feet. He bent over and picked it up, then froze. It was a pink cherry blossom, looking as fresh as if it were just picked. As far as he knew, there were none around here. So where had it come from? Perhaps he had carried it with him from Tokyo. Then why did it look so fresh? His mind flashed back to the dream and the smell of cherry blossoms. He was still staring at it in his palm when a gust of wind picked it up and carried it up to the sky. He watched until it disappeared from sight.
"Himura, quit daydreaming! We have to get going!" Kenshin blinked, then turned and started after her, walking swiftly. The journey was almost at an end. Tomorrow would determine his fate and the fate of everyone in Japan. Tomorrow they would be in Kyoto.
