Disclaimer: I don't own "Ice" by Sara McLachlan nor do I own any of the Rurouni Kenshin characters as much as I wish I did.

Ice

Part I

By: Reverie, the Dream Angel

"Kenshin?" the angel asked, dark eyelashes woven with the lace that fell around them.

Kenshin blinked his eyes, focusing them back into violet reality. The angel before him had a name that he knew as well as his own.

"Gomen ne, Kaoru-dono." He bowed. "Sessha was out walking and heard your sword calls, that I did. Sessha just wanted to be assured everything was alright, that I did."

"Arigato. Hai, everything is fine. Sometimes I come out here to be alone and practice. This grove is where my father began to teach me his style."

A smile teased her lips as her eyes glazed over with the memories of her father. This made Kenshin smile as well.

He hated to interrupt her thoughts, but he said, "Well, Sessha should leave you alone, that I should, so that you can return to your practicing."

Kenshin turned to go.

"Matte." She halted his steps with a word. His eyes remained fixed on the scene before him, waiting to hear what she had to say, hopefully.

"You don't have to go." She paused, as he turned around to face her. "I would rather you stay. I don't mind your company while I practice," she offered hesitantly, her eyes unable to meet his. They glanced around unsure, almost nervously until she could finally bring them up to briefly meet his. A slight blush graced her cheeks.

Most becoming, he thought.

"Arigato gozaimasu, Kaoru-dono. Sessha would be happy to stay, if that is your wish." He smiled warmly, genuinely.

"Aa," she breathed, blushing further.

They seemed to remain frozen for several moments, forever, minute upon minute, just looking back at each other.

At last their gaze was broken at the sound of the rurouni's scraping, shuffling steps. She watched Kenshin through lash-shaded eyes as he moved to lean against a skeleton tree.

Again he smiled at her, as if to reassure her of his happiness to stay and watch.

She closed her eyes, focusing attention on taking deep breaths. Calming herself down was essential to restarting her routine.

Her observer was polite, silent, but still his presence was distracting. Unaccustomed to having eyes on her practice, let alone those of swordsmen of Kenshin's level, caused her to be unnerved.

From within she felt her father speak to her.

" Remember to clear your mind, Kaoru. If your focus is broken so is the strength of your attack. A distracted mind cannot protect loved ones with a sword."

Again, she attempted to make the beautiful world fade away into the wooden sword that would fall into the swing she desired.

Breath flowed in. Breath flowed out, evenly. Her cue had come to begin.

Her wooden sword sliced cleanly through the air. The wind rushing through her tied up hair from the momentary vacuum her cut created.

Sword in hand, she was no longer female or male, just human, a human joining with a sword for the common good of honing skills and maintaining the upper hand, the edge.

Slowly the sword led the master around the grove, laying out the dance that eyes no longer could see. The master sought clean cuts. Self-consciousness resisted but melted as the snow in the spring.

Together. They were never separate. One spirit spun under winter's flying blossoms, irritating flurries into snow devils. The collecting blanket, light and shifting, began to swill where feet grazed the ground and bound away into the air.

Lovely, Kenshin thought, eyes melting to glistening pools of forgotten violet smiles. Watching her dance, she was graceful and more innocent than the fresh winter shower. Light trickled over her through a break in the clouds, making her movements shimmer with gilt.

Beautiful, Kaoru, he whispered to her ears. But they listened only for the swings, making sure they were clear and clean.

**

She landed and humanity descended to clothe her sweat-drenched body. Breathless, Kaoru crouched near Kenshin's feet. Rapidly her back rose and fell, her heart beating harsh and alive.

After a few moments' pause her breathing seemed to still and she began to rise from the ground.

Suddenly, she staggered slightly.

Kenshin saw the issue instants before it could take its affect, her hakama pant leg was caught, puddled beneath her foot.

Kaoru flailed forward. She brought her arms up to protect her face from the frozen ground. She braced for impact.

The ground she landed on was warm, pliable yet firm. It had a breath of its own and a heartbeat that her ear was pressed against. She opened her eyes. They widened as they saw their surroundings.

Petrified, she did not move and silence fell over them.

Kenshin held her close to his body, striving to help her regain balance.

Heartbeats were racing.

Is that for me?

Kaoru could feel the heat flooding her face, yet still she was paralyzed against him. Frankly, she did not want to run from the sanctum of Kenshin's arms. Even if she knew that she must. Her secret had to remain hidden.

Slowly and gently, she disengaged herself by pushing back on his chest with her hands. Her trepidation began to return, allowing her eyes to glance upon his face. To her surprise she saw a faint color quickly retreating from his cheeks. He offered a concerned smile when she looked to him briefly.

"Daijabou ka?" he softly posed, his arms still lingering around her as she steadied on her own legs.

"Anou…Hai. Arigato gozaimasu, Kenshin," she offered, tentatively smiling back.

"Do itashimashita." His eyes captured hers. He knew what could happen if he looked too long in her eyes. God, he knew his mask would fall away. The risk was too much.

But Kaoru's eyes drowned any precautions set in his mind, and he found himself leaning in for the kill.

Kaoru thought her secrets still lay safe within, when she noticed a sea-change overcome Kenshin's eyes. They flickered with some momentary brightness, some reality. Now they faded back to smiling Noh mask eyes, allowing any interpretation and no clarity.

She could feel. His hands still held her. She decided to savor this rare contact silently. In the next instant she knew all too well that he would disappear within himself, leaving her wide awake with her very good friend meters but truly kilometers away, the snow stealing away the lingering warmth from his touch.

But his stunning eyes did not move away from hers. And was it her imagination or was he coming closer? That stunning look flashed earlier blazed constant in his eyes now. Every part of him was drawing into her face.

No! It couldn't be her imagination! He was leaning towards her. His hand lay itself sweetly against her cheek.

This can't be happening! I must be dreaming! Kenshin is going to…he is going to kiss me…

Her eyes began to droop, slowly closing. She could feel his breath begin to caress her face.

This has to be a dream…

His hand rolled behind her ear, cupping her face. He was pulling her closer to him.

A beautiful dream…

Her eyes closed. Lips parted. Trembling.

God, don't let me wake up…