Author's Note: This is the last chapter and there will be loads of WAFF!
Read on and make sure to make suggestions for the epilogue, and whether I
need one!
Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin has not belonged to me during this entire story, I don't see how it could now, but that can change, right?
The Love of Life
Chapter 14: New Beginnings
By CrismHeart
October 12, 2003
Apparently Sano had known that Kenshin was going to tell Kaoru how he felt about her. He was more than pleased to offer Kenshin his expertise on the topic of girls. Kaoru was like a little sister to him and he knew that his best friend would never hurt her. Sano also could see how much the two of them loved each other. It was a love that ran deeper than any river could, one that connected them heart and soul. Besides, Kaoru was an extremely impatient person and it was evident that she was not a girl who enjoyed waiting.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kenshin really wanted to do something nice for Kaoru. She truly did deserve happiness for all that she had done for him. His greatest wish was always to see her laughing, the way she had looked so innocent and carefree when he had first seen her.
Sano had assured Kenshin that he knew everything about girls. It was the one subject he prided himself in. After all, as Sano boasted, he had captured Megumi's heart. Kenshin still held many doubts. He remembered that Sano had told him to buy Kaoru flowers, candy, or jewelry- "typical girl stuff," but Kenshin knew that Kaoru was different. She was special. Instead of delighting in materialistic possessions, she could still be content with the simplest things. Sano told Kenshin to "turn on the charm" as well, whatever that meant... Kenshin thought that it would be better if Kaoru felt the same way towards him for who he was.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaoru, Tae, Megumi, and Misao were all at the Makimachi house getting ready for the party.
It had been a difficult struggle, but she had beaten her adversary and came out of the battle victorious and with fruitful results. Kaoru had finished tying the white obi around her waist. Tae then helped her put her hair up in a bun, securing it with silver combs. Tae took a step back to admire her work.
"Kaoru-chan! You look great!" Misao chirped.
Even Megumi had to admit that her cousin was not a tanuki anymore.
"Thank you!" Kaoru was quite satisfied, but she wanted to know what Kenshin thought.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kenshin turned when he heard Kaoru's footsteps approach him from behind.
"Kenshin, how do I look?" Kaoru asked as she fidgeted nervously with her hands. She gave him a small smile. Although Kaoru normally did not worry over her appearance, it was an issue when Kenshin was concerned. Because he did not reply right away, Kenshin only succeeded in reinforcing Kaoru's uncertainties and her spirits began to sink.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
There was only one word that Kenshin could have used to describe Kaoru- perfection. All at once, Kenshin understood how easily it had been for him to mistake Kaoru for an angel that day he met her. She was his savior, the one who had given him a second chance at life and had taught him to let others into his heart, the way she had made a home in his.
Noticing that his friend's jaw was dropping, Sano jabbed Kenshin in the ribs to wake him from his stupor, "Wow, Jou-chan, lookin' good. I didn't think you could look like a girl, eh Kenshin?"
Sano would have gone on, but he was stuck speechless by Megumi's air of elegance and sophistication as she made her way down the stairs. The Fox lady never did cease to amaze him.
"Baka tori-atama! Men are such pigs! I can practically see you drooling!" Megumi snapped as she caught him gaping at her. However, her callous words could not conceal the faint blush that was creeping onto her cheeks.
It was a good thing for Sano that he had stopped talking when he did for he would have seen an extremely teed off Kaoru raising her fists.
Luckily, some of Kenshin's initial awe wore off and he addressed the source of his adoration, "Kaoru, you are beautiful."
Kaoru immediately donned a more pleasant expression on her face. "Really?" she asked with a tinge of hope in her voice.
Kenshin's was embarrassed for forgetting the honorific that should have been attached to her name. As his face reddened, Kenshin attempted to nod slightly while avoiding looking at her at the same time.
Hiko, however, had a different idea in mind. He decided to have a little fun with the situation. "Kenshin, we haven't had any time to bond since you've gotten here."
Kenshin turned towards the sound of his shishou's voice. It was entirely uncharacteristic of Hiko to want to spend time with him unless it was to train him, but as Hiko continued on, Kenshin caught on.
"I can't stop thinking about our past. Remember that time you wet your bed?"
"SHISHOU!" Kenshin glared at Hiko, shaking with fury. How could his shishou choose a time like this to humiliate him and in front of Kaoru?!
Kaoru put a hand over her mouth to suppress her giggles. She had never seen Kenshin upset before, but he was undeniably cute when he was mad.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Aoshi-sama! Where are you?" Misao called as she searched for him throughout the house. She knew that she had caught sight of him a couple of minutes ago. "Aoshi-sama is really good at playing hard to get," Misao observed aloud.
"Yes! She hasn't seen me!" Aoshi thought to himself. He was currently standing as still as possible behind a closet door, not something hard for him to do. Unfortunately for Aoshi, Misao did not leave any furniture upright, any door unopened, or walls intact.
Misao threw open the last door she had not checked yet and discovered Aoshi's clever hiding place. Without delay, Misao had wrapped her arms around him, "Aoshi-sama! I've finally found you!"
Even in his unease, however, Aoshi did not fail to notice that Misao looked different than she usually did. Her jade kimono brought out the emerald green of her eyes and her smile was suddenly more enchanting. She was not the same annoying little girl who chased after him. The corners of his mouth faintly twitched upwards in a smile to match hers.
Misao could hardly believe her eyes. Was her Aoshi-sama smiling? She knew that others would find his smile unsettling, but she would treasure it always. Her question was entirely disregarded when she felt his arms return her embrace.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The actual party was full of good food, sake, and cheer. Kenshin was glad that everyone was occupied with something or other so that he and Kaoru could escape from the ongoing celebrations. Well, it was more like Kaoru had decided to "get some fresh air" when Sano and Megumi had been busy stringing along a bunch of pet names for each other and Kenshin had followed.
What they did not know was that when Kenshin and Kaoru left the party, the party left with them.
Kaoru stared intently at the night sky, watching the stars sparkle like millions of tiny jewels against the dark backdrop. She sighed, "I used to feel that I was so alone in this world."
Kenshin looked at her, taken aback at what she had just said. Sensing Kenshin's surprise, she glanced at him, "But I don't any longer because I- I know what love is now. Kenshin, I love you and even if you don't feel the same way, I just wanted you to know that."
Before Kaoru had a chance to explain further, Kenshin drew Kaoru into a passionate kiss that revealed his feelings for her. It was always better to express in actions what he could not in words.
"I love you."
Those three simple words that have been exchanged by lovers since the beginning of time had never sounded sweeter. Perhaps the two of them would create their own beginnings together at last.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cheering and applause could be heard in the background from the spies hidden behind the bushes.
Hiko turned to Tae who seemed to be the most overjoyed, "Now that you've gotten the two of them together, what about you?"
________________________________________________________________________
Author's Note: You see, I absolutely adore fairy tale endings! (Mine had a kind of strange twist here and there, but you don't mind, right?) They might not be realistic, but they're the best kind! *sighs dreamily, oblivious to the rest of the world* Oh right, sorry I drifted off for a second. I hope I didn't leave anything out by accident. So tell me what you think and what should be in the epilogue please! The faster you do, the faster the epilogue will come out! And how soon after this event should the epilogue be?
ME^_^: I suppose there are similarities, but it had not been my intention. I remembered that I had Kaoru's father give her a present she would cherish and that her mother had not done so until that last chapter, so it shows just how much losing her parents affected her. And it proves that Kaoru isn't just some naïve girl who doesn't know what it's like to be hurt. Was that a bad thing?
Kitsune KeNsHiN: Thank you so much! You really helped me more than you know because I want my new story to be absolutely perfect! (Well, as close as I can manage it.)
sano650: Thanks, I try my best! Plus, it's so cool having a new reviewer!
Miroku's-Best-Lover: lol. You and Pauline are cracking me up! Apparently you have competition with "Steph." And if you can own the Jets, why can't I own Kenshin?! *pouts*
"Paulette": Are you really implying that I'm not serious? You're making me upset right now! Maybe it's not the disclaimers that make me that way. I can't believe you won't read "For Honor!" Anyways, make sure to read my response to Miroku's-Best-Lover.
Cahadras Youkia: No, no, please don't kill me! *squeaks in fright* (although I'm sure you'll find it a bit of a challenge to do so. I might not have a sword, but I do have magical powers! *takes out millennium paintbrush* That and multiple other weapons, for defense of course.) I still have my whole fan fiction career ahead of me! I'm so sorry I didn't update sooner. Please forgive me!
Mika: Wow, thank you so much! No one has ever complimented like that before. It's usually me telling other writers that in a review. I'm not that great of a writer, but I'm sure you're not as bad as you think. And, don't worry about the exclamation marks, I do that too!
Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin has not belonged to me during this entire story, I don't see how it could now, but that can change, right?
The Love of Life
Chapter 14: New Beginnings
By CrismHeart
October 12, 2003
Apparently Sano had known that Kenshin was going to tell Kaoru how he felt about her. He was more than pleased to offer Kenshin his expertise on the topic of girls. Kaoru was like a little sister to him and he knew that his best friend would never hurt her. Sano also could see how much the two of them loved each other. It was a love that ran deeper than any river could, one that connected them heart and soul. Besides, Kaoru was an extremely impatient person and it was evident that she was not a girl who enjoyed waiting.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kenshin really wanted to do something nice for Kaoru. She truly did deserve happiness for all that she had done for him. His greatest wish was always to see her laughing, the way she had looked so innocent and carefree when he had first seen her.
Sano had assured Kenshin that he knew everything about girls. It was the one subject he prided himself in. After all, as Sano boasted, he had captured Megumi's heart. Kenshin still held many doubts. He remembered that Sano had told him to buy Kaoru flowers, candy, or jewelry- "typical girl stuff," but Kenshin knew that Kaoru was different. She was special. Instead of delighting in materialistic possessions, she could still be content with the simplest things. Sano told Kenshin to "turn on the charm" as well, whatever that meant... Kenshin thought that it would be better if Kaoru felt the same way towards him for who he was.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaoru, Tae, Megumi, and Misao were all at the Makimachi house getting ready for the party.
It had been a difficult struggle, but she had beaten her adversary and came out of the battle victorious and with fruitful results. Kaoru had finished tying the white obi around her waist. Tae then helped her put her hair up in a bun, securing it with silver combs. Tae took a step back to admire her work.
"Kaoru-chan! You look great!" Misao chirped.
Even Megumi had to admit that her cousin was not a tanuki anymore.
"Thank you!" Kaoru was quite satisfied, but she wanted to know what Kenshin thought.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kenshin turned when he heard Kaoru's footsteps approach him from behind.
"Kenshin, how do I look?" Kaoru asked as she fidgeted nervously with her hands. She gave him a small smile. Although Kaoru normally did not worry over her appearance, it was an issue when Kenshin was concerned. Because he did not reply right away, Kenshin only succeeded in reinforcing Kaoru's uncertainties and her spirits began to sink.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
There was only one word that Kenshin could have used to describe Kaoru- perfection. All at once, Kenshin understood how easily it had been for him to mistake Kaoru for an angel that day he met her. She was his savior, the one who had given him a second chance at life and had taught him to let others into his heart, the way she had made a home in his.
Noticing that his friend's jaw was dropping, Sano jabbed Kenshin in the ribs to wake him from his stupor, "Wow, Jou-chan, lookin' good. I didn't think you could look like a girl, eh Kenshin?"
Sano would have gone on, but he was stuck speechless by Megumi's air of elegance and sophistication as she made her way down the stairs. The Fox lady never did cease to amaze him.
"Baka tori-atama! Men are such pigs! I can practically see you drooling!" Megumi snapped as she caught him gaping at her. However, her callous words could not conceal the faint blush that was creeping onto her cheeks.
It was a good thing for Sano that he had stopped talking when he did for he would have seen an extremely teed off Kaoru raising her fists.
Luckily, some of Kenshin's initial awe wore off and he addressed the source of his adoration, "Kaoru, you are beautiful."
Kaoru immediately donned a more pleasant expression on her face. "Really?" she asked with a tinge of hope in her voice.
Kenshin's was embarrassed for forgetting the honorific that should have been attached to her name. As his face reddened, Kenshin attempted to nod slightly while avoiding looking at her at the same time.
Hiko, however, had a different idea in mind. He decided to have a little fun with the situation. "Kenshin, we haven't had any time to bond since you've gotten here."
Kenshin turned towards the sound of his shishou's voice. It was entirely uncharacteristic of Hiko to want to spend time with him unless it was to train him, but as Hiko continued on, Kenshin caught on.
"I can't stop thinking about our past. Remember that time you wet your bed?"
"SHISHOU!" Kenshin glared at Hiko, shaking with fury. How could his shishou choose a time like this to humiliate him and in front of Kaoru?!
Kaoru put a hand over her mouth to suppress her giggles. She had never seen Kenshin upset before, but he was undeniably cute when he was mad.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Aoshi-sama! Where are you?" Misao called as she searched for him throughout the house. She knew that she had caught sight of him a couple of minutes ago. "Aoshi-sama is really good at playing hard to get," Misao observed aloud.
"Yes! She hasn't seen me!" Aoshi thought to himself. He was currently standing as still as possible behind a closet door, not something hard for him to do. Unfortunately for Aoshi, Misao did not leave any furniture upright, any door unopened, or walls intact.
Misao threw open the last door she had not checked yet and discovered Aoshi's clever hiding place. Without delay, Misao had wrapped her arms around him, "Aoshi-sama! I've finally found you!"
Even in his unease, however, Aoshi did not fail to notice that Misao looked different than she usually did. Her jade kimono brought out the emerald green of her eyes and her smile was suddenly more enchanting. She was not the same annoying little girl who chased after him. The corners of his mouth faintly twitched upwards in a smile to match hers.
Misao could hardly believe her eyes. Was her Aoshi-sama smiling? She knew that others would find his smile unsettling, but she would treasure it always. Her question was entirely disregarded when she felt his arms return her embrace.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The actual party was full of good food, sake, and cheer. Kenshin was glad that everyone was occupied with something or other so that he and Kaoru could escape from the ongoing celebrations. Well, it was more like Kaoru had decided to "get some fresh air" when Sano and Megumi had been busy stringing along a bunch of pet names for each other and Kenshin had followed.
What they did not know was that when Kenshin and Kaoru left the party, the party left with them.
Kaoru stared intently at the night sky, watching the stars sparkle like millions of tiny jewels against the dark backdrop. She sighed, "I used to feel that I was so alone in this world."
Kenshin looked at her, taken aback at what she had just said. Sensing Kenshin's surprise, she glanced at him, "But I don't any longer because I- I know what love is now. Kenshin, I love you and even if you don't feel the same way, I just wanted you to know that."
Before Kaoru had a chance to explain further, Kenshin drew Kaoru into a passionate kiss that revealed his feelings for her. It was always better to express in actions what he could not in words.
"I love you."
Those three simple words that have been exchanged by lovers since the beginning of time had never sounded sweeter. Perhaps the two of them would create their own beginnings together at last.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cheering and applause could be heard in the background from the spies hidden behind the bushes.
Hiko turned to Tae who seemed to be the most overjoyed, "Now that you've gotten the two of them together, what about you?"
________________________________________________________________________
Author's Note: You see, I absolutely adore fairy tale endings! (Mine had a kind of strange twist here and there, but you don't mind, right?) They might not be realistic, but they're the best kind! *sighs dreamily, oblivious to the rest of the world* Oh right, sorry I drifted off for a second. I hope I didn't leave anything out by accident. So tell me what you think and what should be in the epilogue please! The faster you do, the faster the epilogue will come out! And how soon after this event should the epilogue be?
ME^_^: I suppose there are similarities, but it had not been my intention. I remembered that I had Kaoru's father give her a present she would cherish and that her mother had not done so until that last chapter, so it shows just how much losing her parents affected her. And it proves that Kaoru isn't just some naïve girl who doesn't know what it's like to be hurt. Was that a bad thing?
Kitsune KeNsHiN: Thank you so much! You really helped me more than you know because I want my new story to be absolutely perfect! (Well, as close as I can manage it.)
sano650: Thanks, I try my best! Plus, it's so cool having a new reviewer!
Miroku's-Best-Lover: lol. You and Pauline are cracking me up! Apparently you have competition with "Steph." And if you can own the Jets, why can't I own Kenshin?! *pouts*
"Paulette": Are you really implying that I'm not serious? You're making me upset right now! Maybe it's not the disclaimers that make me that way. I can't believe you won't read "For Honor!" Anyways, make sure to read my response to Miroku's-Best-Lover.
Cahadras Youkia: No, no, please don't kill me! *squeaks in fright* (although I'm sure you'll find it a bit of a challenge to do so. I might not have a sword, but I do have magical powers! *takes out millennium paintbrush* That and multiple other weapons, for defense of course.) I still have my whole fan fiction career ahead of me! I'm so sorry I didn't update sooner. Please forgive me!
Mika: Wow, thank you so much! No one has ever complimented like that before. It's usually me telling other writers that in a review. I'm not that great of a writer, but I'm sure you're not as bad as you think. And, don't worry about the exclamation marks, I do that too!