Lady Himura: Hey everyone! Two more chaps to go and I hope you enjoy every word of them! Thanx to the people who reviewed chapter 28. You didn't have to review but I'm very glad you did and perhaps someday me and Crystal Renee with the help of you fans will make a new series of RK, but still show the old episodes as well! But anyway, lets go see what my faithful crew is up too!
::opens door to SSJHimura/DarknessFlames's Room::
Lady Himura: 0_ox
::Kenshin, Kaoru, Sano, SSJHimura, DarknessFlame, Cam K. and Davitzu are all playing twister::
Yahiko: Right foot on red. ::the big group shifts with much difficulty::
Sano: Get your butt out of my face SSjHimura!
SSJHimura: Well your stepping on my hand Rooster head!
Sano: ROOSTER HEAD!? Wait till I get my hands on you you little pint sized twirp!
SSJHimura: Pint sized?! I'm just as tall as you bird brain!
::Lady himura walks up to Yahiko::
Lady Himura: May I? ::smiles devilishly::
Yahiko: ::gives same evil grin and hands Lady Himura the board::
Lady Himura: Everyone, left foot on green! ::all struggle to move left foot to green and by now, they are all tangled up::
Cam K: Get off of me DarknessFlame!
DarknessFlame: I would but SSjHimura is on top of me!
Cam K: DON"T FALL! YOU'll BOTH CRUSH ME!
DarknessFlame: Well that makes two of us.
Kenshin: :comes to realize that Kaoru is right under him:: ::blushes furiously::
Kaoru: I don't think I can hold out much longer! My arms are tired! (they have been playing for an hour)
Lady Himura: ::Evil grin:: ::makes up a move:: Right foot on yellow! ::in there position, its quite difficult:: (have any of you ever made up moves during twister to get your friends to fall?)
::on the brink of falling::
Davitzu: Oh man, I have to sneeze!
Sano/Kaoru/Kenshin/SSJHimura/Cam K: No don't!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Davitzu: AHHHHHH CHUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
::they collapse, Kenshin moving under Kaoru to break her fall, Sano landing on top SSJHimura, who fell on DarknessFlame who fell on Cam K.:: ::Lady Himura and Yahiko are laughing their heads off::
Davitzu: ::only one standing:: Hey I won!
Cam. K: Can't....breathe....get...off!
Kenshin: Are you okay Kaoru? ::replys by kissing him::
Lady Himura: ::Pulls curtain infront of them:: they need some privacy *wink*.
Sano: Hey get back to the story, I wanna see what happens.
Yahiko: And put more of me in there!
Lady Himura: See what I have to put up with!!!
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Sano, Yahiko and Kenji had just walked in through the dojo gates and were making their way to the dojo portch only to be stopped by the scene of Kenshin and Kaoru kissing eachother.
"Uncle Sano, does daddy like the way mommy tastes because daddy does that A LOT!" Kenji said naively and emphasizing on the word "alot". Sano just turned a shade of red at Kenji's question.
"Its a little something we call love ." Sano said as he picked up Kenji who had been staring at Kenshin and Kaoru with a confused look on his face. They went around the back way as of not to disturb Kenshin and Kaoru's little moment.
"Whats love Uncle Sano?" Kenji asked.
"Love. What is love? Love is uh..love?" Sano began to think out loud.
"That's okay Uncle Sano, I'll ask Aunty Megumi." Kenji said. Sano sighed in relief that he wouldn't have to answer a question not even he could desribe to a five year old and make him understand.
"Uncle Sano?"
"Yea Kenji?"
"Where do babies come from?"
"Oro!" (A/N: Sano oroing! hahahaha!)
Megumi had been putting all her medical equipment away that she had used on Kaoru when she heard the dojo gates opening. She went outside to find Sano and Kenji walking her way.
"So how was your breakfast Kenji?" Megumi asked him as Sano placed him on the floor.
"It was lots of fun Aunty Megumi! Uncle Sano said I was a very good boy because I helped him get women to to talk to him! And then it was really funny when Tae-dono hit Uncle sano because he had no money to pay for our food! And then Uncle Sano told me the story about the stork!" Kenji giggled as Megumi's face turned red with anger.
"You used a little kid to pick up women?!" Megumi fumed at Sano as Kenji laughed.
"Not necessarily pick up women, just get their names and a date?" Sano said trying to convince Megumi. Megumi just bit her bottom lip and ran out of the room leaving Sano and Kenji behind, both looking confused.
"Did you make Aunty Megumi mad?" Kenji asked Sano.
"Kenji if there is one thing I'm ever gonna teach ya, its this. Women are emotional wrecks! Remember that, cause you'll be a man someday yourself. Its important information that you MUST remember." Sano said as he heard the dojo gate slam shut. Kenji nodded so that Sano knew he comprehended or thought he did.
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Kenshin and Kaoru kissed as if they had been apart for years, or so it felt. Kenshin sensed Sano, Yahiko and Kenji coming back to the dojo, but he refused to let go of Kaoru. Kaoru slowly pulled away, giving him small kisses until they stopped.
"I'm glad to see your fine koishii, that I am." Kenshin said.
"And what about you?" Kaoru asked as he pulled his sleeve up to see his arm bandaged up where the dagger had penetrated his skin.
"I'm fine too, Megumi works wonders, that she does." Kenshin said, as Kaoru relaxed once again. Kaoru looked towards the dojo gate. She had seen Megumi run out and she also could of sworn that she saw her crying.
"I bet it was Sano's fault. The guy is so thick headed sometimes!" Kaoru thought to herself. "Perhaps I'll have a little talk with him later...."
Kenshin and Kaoru stood up and were about to go find their son when the dojo gate opened once more and Tsubame came skipping down to the dojo.
"Hello Tsubame-dono, what brings you here?" Kenshin asked as Tsubame walked up to them.
"TSUBAME! HERE!? NOW!? WHERE!?" Yahiko yelled as he practically flew out of his room onto the portch. Yahiko glanced at Tsubame who was blushing like crazy. He quickly fixed himself up and walked over with his chin in the air in his attempt to look taller. Kaoru giggled at him but covered her mouth to muffle the sound.
"Hi Yahiko." Tsubame said shyly.
Yahiko was at a loss for words. Since the whole Musahsi ordeal, Yahiko and Tsubame have been fumbling their words around eachother and have become real shy. Apparently they are not the carefree friends they use to be. They.. matured!
Kaoru, in the attempt to save Yahiko from humiliation, but into the conversation. "Tsubame, what brings you to the dojo?" Kaoru asked.
"Huh? Oh yeah. Well actually, I came to tell Yahiko something." Tsubame said, blushing.
"ME! you hear that! She came to tell ME something! I mean....sure, what's on your mind?" Yahiko said almost smoothly. Tsubame pulled him away from Kenshin and Kaoru and whispered something into his ear. Tsubame had pulled him so far away not even Kenshin could make out what she was saying. Yahiko jumped into the air with a big smile on his face as Tsubame finished telling him her secret. Before she left, she unexpectedly gave Yahiko a kiss on the cheek and scurried out the gates.
Yahiko brought a hand up to his cheek and smiled a big, goofy smile. He clumsily walked back to Kenshin and Kaoru.
"I think she likes me." Yahiko said as he stumbled into his room.
"I wonder what she told him?" Kaoru thought to herself. She was brought out of her consentration by Kenshin grabbing her hand and smiling at her.
"Lets go find Kenji." Kenshin said as Kaoru happily followed.
Inside, Kenji and Sano sat in a corner, Sano had a depressed look on his face, and Kenji was playing with his hair. "Uncle Sano, your hair is really, big and really spikey, and really brown, and really long, and really funny looking and..."
"I got your point, you can stop now." Sano said blankly. Kenji stopped playing with his hair and crawled into Sano's arms. Kenji began to close his eyes, falling prisoner to sleep. Sano looked down at Kenji cuddled into his chest, sleeping. Sano held him tighter, and for moment, wished he could be as lucky as Kenshin, to have a son of his own and a beautiful loving wife who would love him for who he was. Then he thought of Megumi. He thought that maybe he could have all of that with her, if she would have him. Then it hit him. Could she be mad at me because she cares about him? Could that be the reason?
Sano sratched his head in consentration. Kenshin and Kaoru walked in. Sano looked up from where he was sitting on the floor. Kaoru smiled a warm smile and Sano couldn't help but smile back. Kenshin went up to Sano and gentley lifted Kenji up. He walked out of the room and walked to his own room to place Kenji down for a nap, leaving Kaoru and Sano behind.
Sano got up to leave, but Kaoru stopped him by grabbing his hand. He turned around to look into her face. Her warm smile shone brightly, and her eyes twinkled. Sano turned around and gave her his undivided attention.
"What is it Jou-chan?"
"I want to talk to you about something."
"What's on your mind?" Sano asked as Kaoru came and sat next to him. She looked into his eyes with the deepest concern for him. Sano knew the look all to well.
At that same exact moment Megumi was on her way back to the dojo, on the realization that she forgot her bag of medical equipment.
"Sano." Kaoru began, "I've noticed latley that you really haven't been yourself. Is there something you want to talk about? You know you can tell me anything Sano, I'll always listen." Kaoru said, placing a hand on his. Sano smiled warmly. His sister was looking out for him.
"Well Jou-chan I have been thinking, about my life. I don't want to spend the rest of my life drinking and living my life on the lucky role of the dice. I want what Kenshin has. A wife. A son. A family of my own. I know you guys are my family, and you always will be, but, It's not the same." Sano finished.
"And do you think Megumi feels the same way as you?" Kaoru asked.
"That's the last thing she's feeling, she hates my guts!" Sano said. "And besides, what would a high class doctor like that want with an ex-gangster like myself." Sano added.
Kaoru slapped the palm of her hand to her forehead. "Sano, your almost as dense as Kenshin!" Kaoru yelled at him. Sano looked at her in surprise.
"What are you talking about Jou-chan." Sano asked.
"Can't you see Megumi loves you!? Not only is it obviousy, but your as obvious as her!" Kaoru yelled.
"Jou-chan your way over your head you know that!" Sano told her as he turned his back to leave.
"Wasn't it you who told me Kenshin wanted to be more than just friends with me when we were on that boat to the festival? Wasn't it you, who said he loves me, he just needs time? Kaoru said to him.
Sano stopped infront of the door. She was right. He had said all those things to her. And he was right about them. Now she is the one telling him these things, and he himself cannot bring himself to belive them.
"Wasn't it you who told Kenshin to go for it, and tell me that he loved me? Wasn't it you who believed that we would end up together and so you sang on stage(A/N: Sano's Song chapter 14, and I'm still laughing hahaha!), helped beat Musashi and believed that me and Kenshin would get married someday? Sano it was all you. And I care about you too, and I want to see you happy. You helped me, and now I want to help you." Kaoru said as she bowed her head.
Kenshin was walking around to go back into Sano's room when he saw Megumi walking in through the dojo gates.
"Megumi-dono, is there something wrong?" Kenshin asked.
"I just forgot my bag, that's all!" Megumi said coldly.
"Oro?"
Sano turned around and looked at Kaoru, his sister and someone who cared for him. He walked over to her and hugged her. Kaoru hugged him back, and finally, just maybe he would understand what he himself preached to her.
Megumi and Kenshin walked into Sano's room only to see Sano and Kaoru hugging. Both of them gasped and backed out fo the room. They stood outside listening in on the conversation.
"So my so called best friend is trying to steal my wife while I'm not looking? But wait this is Sano we're talking about, There is no way." Kenshin thought to himself, as he could not help feel a hint of jealousy.
"You know Jou-chan, if Kenshin had not already proposed, I probably would of snatched ya as my own wife." Sano teased Kaoru as they both started laughing. Both Megumi and Kenshin's eyes grew wide, not knowing if it was a joke, or if Sano really meant it.
"That rooster-head doesn't care at all for me!" Megumi thought. "He cares more about Kaoru now then he ever will for me." She ran off in a dash, and Kenshin knew for sure she was crying.
"Okay he had better let go of Kaoru now before I go all Hiten Mitsarugi on his back side!" Kenshin thought to himself. After at least a minute or so, and Sano still hugging Kaoru, Kenshin couldn't hep but intrude.
"Ahem" Kenshin said as he startled Sano and Kaoru. Sano knew that look in his eyes all too well. Kenshin was jealous. Sano broke out laughing and so did Kaoru after she realized why Sano was laughing.
"Don't worry buddy. I would never steal your wife. It's tempting, but I wouldn't." Sano laughed, receiveing a playful punch from Kaoru. Kenshin started laughing himself.
"Listen Sano, there is something I want to show you that might help you with your problem." Kaoru said as she motioned for Sano to follow her. "I want you to come too Kenshin." Kaoru said.
They followed her out of the dojo, where they were met with the brisk air of the early winter. They followed Kaoru silently. Kenshin could sense a change in her aura. It became sad as she walked on. They walked out a field filled with dying flowers due to the cold weather. Over the field was a sakura tree, its petals long gone and its beauty no longer radiant for the time being.
Kaoru began to walk across the field of dead flowers, Sano and Kenshin following unaware of where she was taking them. The trudged along until they reached the sakura tree. Kaoru stopped and inhaled the crisp air before kneeling down onto the cold ground. Sano and Kenshin watched her as she began to move aside dead shrubbery and grass. When she finished cleaning she moved aside to allow Kenshin and Sano to see what she was looking for.
They knelt down and found a tombstone. Kenshin brought his hand to the stone and cleared the dirt away from the letters on the stone so he could read them. Kenshin and Sano read the stone. It was the tomb stone of Kaoru'd parents.
They glanced to Kaoru, tears in her eyes. "Read what it says." Kaoru said.
Undeneathe the names of Kaoru's parents, there was something engraved. "Love is to precious a gift, for even in death, their love remains strong." Sano read out loud.
"Do you understand now why I brought you here" Kaoru asked as she wiped away her tears.
"I really think I understand now Jou-chan, thank you." Sano said. Then Sano did something unexpected. He prayed. he prayed to the souls of Kaoru's parents.
"It's not often I find myself in a spiritual mood, actually, it's never, so I may not be good at this kind of thing. But I'm sorry that I never got to meet the parents of someone I care about. Kaoru was the first woman since my mother to actually love me, and she gave me a family, something I only dreamed of having. I may not be your first choice for "brother of the year" but I sure as heck will try. Your daughter has given so much and I hope your as proud of her as I am." Sano said as he opened his eyes and ended his prayer.
Kaoru cried uncontrollably now, but out of happiness this time. She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Sanosuke, thank you for being there, for being my brohter. I love you." Kaoru told him.
"I love you too Jou-chan. And you know your right. I'm not going to wait any longer to tell Megumi how I feel." Sano said. He let go of Kaoru and she walked next to Kenshin who already began praying. Kaoru watched him intently. If only her parents were here to see what a wondeful man she had fallen madly in love with.
"They can see Kaoru, they always can." Kenshin said, reading her thoughts.
"Kenshin, what did you pray about?" Kaoru asked as she shivered from the cold breeze. Kenshin brought an arm around her and whispered into her ear.
"I told them I must be the luckiest man on Earth to be loved by their daughter." Kenshin said and Kaoru cried into his chest, for she was happy.
Kaoru pulled away from Kenshin and looked up to the big tree. She walked around the tree and disappeared behind the trunk. Kenshin and Sano followed her. On the other side of the tree Kaoru traced the words carved into the trunk with her finger. Her parents names were engraved into the trunk, a symbol of their love, carved by Mr.Kamiya himself.
Kaoru kneeled down next to the tree trunk. There was a whole on the trunk and she stuck her hand in, only to come out with two objects. One was a hair brush, belonging to her mother, and one was a pocket knife, the same one Mr. Kamiya used to carve his and his wife's name on the tree.
"When my parents died, I was left with nothing. So I had to sell alot of their belongings. But I couldn't get rid of these, for they reminded me so much of them, so here is where I kept them." Kaoru said.
"May I Kaoru?" Kenshin asked as he pointed to the knife. Karou handed it to him, unsure of what he was going to do. Kenshin stood up and looked at the tree trunk. Kenshin pulled the blade out, the blade as sharp as ever. Kaoru watched as Kenshin began to carve into the tree. It was easy work with the well sharpened-knife. He pulled back and allowed Kaoru to see what he wrote. Kenshin wrote his and Kaoru's name in a heart, just like Mr. Kamiya had. Kaoru hugged Kenshin, for now a symbol of their love would always remain here, even when they are long gone.
Kenshin handed the knife back to Kaoru. She turned to Sano and handed the knife to him. "Sano, I want you to add your name and Megumi's. I want you and her to always be remembered, not only for your love, but as a member of this family." Kaoru told him as Sano took the knife and smiled, tears that threatened to fall, but never would.
He carved their names into the tree as well and took a step back to view his work. Sano handed Kaoru back the knife and she placed it in her kimono. There was nothing left here, and so they began to walk home. Out from behind a rock, Yahiko lay crouching, listening to everything that happened, crying silently.
When Yahiko was sure everyone had left he crawled out from behind the rock and walked over to the Kamiya's grave. (A/N: I need to know their names!) He kneeled down and placed his hands together.
"I'm Yahiko Myojin, and it is an honor to meet the parents of Kaoru. I know I don't show it much, and I probably won't for a while, but I love Kaoru like she was my own mother. Even though I was mean to her, she took me in, and cared for me. I call her names and I make her life miserable, but she still let's me stay, and that's why I grew to love her. You see, someday I hope I can tell her that, and let her know how truley thankful I am that she is in my life. I hope she is proud of me, and that maybe she loves me like like a son, or even a brother." Yahiko ended, tears he tried to hold back, falling down his cheeks.
"I am proud of you my son."
Yahiko turned around to find Kaoru kneeling behind him, her eyes leaking with fresh tears. Yahiko himslef couldn't help but cry freely now. She pulled him into a hug and he hugged her back. He was no longer the ten year old boy she found pick-pocketing on the streets, but he was now a fifteen year old man and she was proud of him.
She pulled away from Yahiko and Yahiko looked behind her to see Sano and Kenshin beaming at him with pride, for they were proud fo him too. Kaoru reached into her kimono and pulled out the knife.
"It's your turn to add your name to this tree, for you are a member of this family as well and you always will be." Kaoru said. She lead him to the back of the tree and he carved his name. He promsied Karou he would come back and add Tsubame's name if they ever get married. And so they all looked at the tree one last time. They became closer as a family that day, and an unbreakable bond was created that would last until the day they would pass on and leave this world behind.
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Kenji ran around the house, revitalized from his nap. Kenshin played horsey with him as he crawled on all fours, his son riding on his back.
Sano was practicing his speech that he would give to Megumi when he would tell her how he felt. Kaoru helped him by pretending to be Megumi, but Sano kept fumbling his words. Yahiko was playing the bad guy that Kenji had to run away from. It was quite a cute scene.
Yahiko then looked out the window at the sun. "SANO! WE'RE LATE!" Yahiko yelled as he ran to get Sano.
"OH MY KAMI YOUR RIGHT! LETS GET GOING!" Sano yelled as they began to run out the door only to be stopped by Kaoru.
"And where do you two think your going in such a hurry?" Kaoru asked suspisiously.
"No where Jou-chan, uh.. me and my buddy Yahiko just wanted to....."
"Go for a walk!" Yahiko finished for him.
"Your LATE to go for a walk?" Kaoru asked, not believing a word they were saying.
"Yeah, ya know how it is. Its unhealthy to miss a walk at six o'clock at night, EVERYONE knows that! You wouldn't want me to be unhealthy would you Jou-chan?" Sano said with puppy dogs eyes.
"Fine but be back for dinner okay?" Kaoru told them, for she had bought extra food and she didn't want it to go to waste.
As they ran out through the dojo gates, she realized she and Kenshin would be alone. They haven't been alone for who knows how long! Perhaps she would enjoy herself tonight.
Kaoru walked into her room to find Kenshin and Kenji making silly faces at eachother. The silly rurouni made Kenji laugh so hard, that he toppled over. Kaoru laughed at this and then her cover was blown. Kenji stood up and ran to his mother, grabbed her hand and dragged her to come sit with Kenshin and himself.
They played for hours and Kaoru lost track of time, when a knock on her door was heard.
"I'll get it." Kaoru said as she got up and left the room. Kenji was playing with a wooden car Dr. Gensai had made for him for his birthday. Kenshin went to go see what was taking Kaoru so long when he felt one of the floor boards on the floor was loose. He bent down and looked closer at the board. He stuck his fingers aorund the cracks and pulled up. Sure enough the board lifted from the floor and a hole was revealed. Kenshin stuck his hand in and pulled out a book. He opened the book and found that it was a diary belonging to Kaoru. He flipped through the pages, not daring to read her personal writing no matter how tempting it was. He stopped when he found something of interest.
Inserted in one of the pages was a carnation Kenshin had given Kaoru all those years ago. She kept it, although it whithered away. He read the writing on the page. It read about her feelings for him and how she felt when she had recieved the carnation. And he smiled.
He placed the diary back into the board and pulled out a picture. It was a picture of the Kenshin-gumi back when they had first met. They all looked so happy. And that's how they remained, happy.
He placed the picture back in and covered it with the board once again. He picked up Kenji and walked to the front door to see who had knocked. He saw Kaoru standing there looking outside. Snow lay on the ground, and so did foot prints. Kaoru held a note in her hand.
"What doe sit says koishii?"
"It says, follow the foot prints, and that means the THREE Of you!" She told him as she read of the paper.
Kenshin wasn't sure why, but he felt it was a safe idea to follow the foot prints. I guess you could say it was a gut feeling. He nodded at Kaoru and she grabbed a cloak for herself and then grabbed a small one for Kenji. Kenshin wrapped himself in one of his own and he grabbed a lantern to see in the dark with. He brought his sword just in case. He stayed close to Kaoru who held on to Kenji.
They were nearing the Akebeko, strangley enough, that's where the foor prints ended. Kenshin opened the door to find Tae standing at the counter.
"Oh hello Kenshin, what a surprise to see you here at this time of the night!" Tae said. Kaoru walked in after Kenshin and sat down at one of the tables in despair.
"So I guess it was some kind of trick." Karou sighed as Kenshin sat next to her. Kenji began to play with a menu on the table when Tae yelled "NOW!"
The kenshin-gumi along with some of their friends from Kyoto jumped out from behind tables and counters and screamed "Surprise!" causing Kenshin and Kaoru to jump in shock.
"Oh my Kami! What's this for?!" Kaoru said as she recieved a hug from Misao.
"You mean you don't remember what day it is?" Megumi asked. Kaoru just looked at her in confusion.
"Jou-chan, today is the day we all came to live together as a family!" Sano told her from behind Megumi who gave him and evil glare.
"SANO! Your right! How could I forget!?" Kaoru said as she handed Kenji to Kenshin so Misao wouldn't crush him while hugging her.
In the corner sat Aoshi, sipping his cup of tea, along side him was Saitou, smoking his cigarette. They are not very social people as you might of guessed. If it weren't for Misao and Tokio, they probably wouldn't of attended at all. Dr. Gensai and Ayame and Suzume had came as well, but Doctor Gensai had to exuse himself becasue Ayame and Suzume fell asleep so he had to take them home..
"Oh my Kami! Is that Kenji!" Misao screamed as she practically snatched Kenji from Kenshin. "He is so darn cute!" Misao said spinning him around and throwing him in the air. Kenji giggled. He really like Misao because she was so hyper.
"So that's the child of battosai?" Aoshi asked Saitou who nodded. Aoshi watched Misao playing with Kenji and he was lost in thought.
Megumi sat next to the window, watching the snow fall from the sky and land gracefully on the ground. Sano watched her from where he stood. Now was as good a time as any to make his move, so why wasn't he moving?
Kaoru walked up to him and nudged him on his side. He smiled at her but then frowned again.
"Sano, what are you waiting for? You'll never get another moment like this! Go!" Kaoru told him.
"I dunno Jou-chan, what if she rejects me. I don't think I could handle it." Sano told her.
"Are you telling me the great Sanosuke Sagara is afraid of rejection?!" Kaoru asked him. It did sound pretty pathetic when Sano came to think of it, but then why was talking to her so hard? Kaoru noticed a box in Sano's hand.
"Sano, what do you have there?" Kaoru asked, pointing to the box.
"Oh, just a little gift I asked Misao to pick up for me on her way here."
"What is it?" Kaoru asked. Sano opened the box to reveal a beautiful necklace.
"You see, back when we were on Musashi's Island, me and Megumi were looking through the market place. I saw her staring at this necklace, and so I asked Misao to pass by the Island and pick it up for me. Do you think she'll like it?" Sano asked.
"What women wouldn't love this necklace!? It's beautiful!" Kaoru told him. Kaoru placed her hand on her own necklace, the one Yahiko had given her at her wedding. The she glanced at her ring that Kenshin had given her.
"Well I hope she likes it. I'll be in debt with Misao till the day I die!" Sano added, for he asked Misao to pay for the necklace.
Kaoru pushed Sano forward, giving him a reasuring wink. Sano took a deep breathe and walked to Megumi, slowly, very slowly.
Kaoru sat their tapping her foot. It had at least been a minute before Sano had actually reached Megumi. Between stopping to tie his non-existant shoelaces and pretending to clean imaginary lint of his shirt, Sano probably would of taken the whole night to walk up to her if Karou hadn't given him a death glare.
Sano tapped Megumi on her shoulder, startling her form her thoughts. She turned around to meet Sano.
"What do you want rooster-head?" She asked coldly.
"Well I uh..." Sano began, rubbing the back of his head. He glanced over to Kaoru who was saying "apoligize" with her lips. He nodded his head in comprehension and glanced back at Megumi.
"Megumi I.."
"Hold on. Say that again." Megumi told him.
"Say what again?" Sano asked confused.
"Say my name. You didn't say Kitsune, or the fox lady or any of those names you usually call me. You called me Megumi." Megumi said, feeling Kind of akward.
"ok then...Megumi. I came to say that..." Sano began, fumbling his words.
"Yea, rooster head?" Megumi said, trying to hurry him up.
"I'm sorry." Sano said finally causing Megumi's eyes to turn wide with shock. " I'm sorry for being a jerk and not thinking about your feelings and all that other stuff." Sano said, unsure if he was having an effect on Megumi.
"Y-Your sorry? Did I hear you right?" Megumi said, cleaning her ear, hoping she heard correctly.
"Do I have to write it on my forehead! MEGUMI, I'M SORRY!" Sano said to her, throwing his hands up into the air.
"I dunno if I should forgive you or not...." Megumi taunted as she crossed her arms over her chest.
Sano fell over anime style, and Kaoru slapped her palm to her head. "Why is Megumi making this so hard for Sano." Kaoru thought shaking her head.
"C'mon Megumi! I said I was sorry! Isn't that enough?!" Sano said pleadingly. He looked over to Kaoru who was saying " give her the necklace" with her lips. Sano smacked his head at his realization and nodded to Kaoru in appoval. Kaoru gave him a thumbs up and continued to watch when Kenshin walked up to her.
"Uh, Koishii, what are you doing?" Kenshin asked as he looked to where Kaoru was looking.
"Well ya see Kenshin, I was uh...just.."
"Giving Sano pointers on how to impress Megumi?" Kenshin asked, completeing her thought.
"Well you could put it like that heh heh." Kaoru giggled weakly.
"And how is Sano doing?" Kenshin asked.
"He falling faster then a boulder off a cliff." Kaoru told him. Kenshin sighed and walked over to Sano. "May I have a word?" Kenshin said into Sano's ear.
"Can't you see I'm kind of busy over here?!" Sano whispered back as Megumi tried to look over his shoulder.
"Sorry Megumi-dono, but I need to speak to Sano one minute." Kenshin said as she dragged a reluctant Sano towards Kaoru.
"What are you doing over there baka!" Kaoru told him.
"Well I was about to give her the necklace until oro-chan over here came and snacthed me away!" Sano said frustratedly.
"And what exactly did you plan on saying after giving her the necklace?!" Kaoru asked him.
"I would say...." Sano began but,to froze when he realized he had nothing.
"That's what I thought!" Kaoru told him.
"Sano, you should just tell her how you feel, that you should." Kenshin said, placing a reasuring hand on his shoulder. Sano inhaled once and walked over again, where Megumi was waiting patiently.
Both Kenshin and Kaoru crossed their fingers. "Don't mess up Sano. I know you can do this." Kaoru thought in her head.
"Okay Megumi, I'm not going to beat around the bush any more! What I wanted to say is..that I..." Sano began.
"What Sano, just say it!" Megumi said, her eyes growing wider with anticipation.
"I-I-I-I-I" Sano fumbled on and on.
"Out with it already!" Megumi said.
"I bought you a gift!" Sano said, handing her the present and verbally insulting himself mentally.
"You bought me...a gift?" Megumi said in absolute shock. Sano nodded and Megumi began to open the box. She gasped when she saw the necklace. She touched the necklace as if it was a small child. She looked up to Sano, her eyes begining to tear.
"You bought this...for me?" Megumi asked, still unable to belive it.
"Do you like it?" Sano asked her.
"I love it Sano thank you." Megumi said as she stood up and wrapped her arms around Sano. Sano hugged her back, winking at Kaoru and Kenshin, who were silently cheering him on.
"Uh Megumi, there is uh..something else I wanted to tell you." Sano said as he parted from Megumi, only enough to look into her eyes.
"I don't deserve you, and I never will, but I have to say it. Megumi...I love you." Sano said. Kaoru practically crushed Kenshin's hand as she waited for Megumi's reply, but she wasn't half as nervous as Sano was.
"You really mean that Sano. This isn't a joke right? Cause if it is, I'll kill you!" Megumi said seriously.
"What more do you want from me!? I just confessed my undenying love for you! What else do you want!?" Sano said, willing to do anything to convince her of his love.
"This." Megumi said, as she pulled Sano towards her and kissed him smack on the lips. Sano tilted her over and kissed her passionatley as Megumi laced her arms around his neck. A loud uproar From the party was heard and cheers for the new couple rang loudly.
"Rooster head finally did it." Kaoru said, looking on dreamily. "Megumi looks so happy." Kaoru said, as she envied how Sano had tipped her over, not caring what everyone else thought of it. Kenshin read her mind, and did the unthinkable.
He grabbed Kaoru, tilted her over, and kissed her right infront of everyone. Sano and Megumi parted for a second and cheered on Kenshin, for that was something only Sano would think of doing. They returned to their kissing as Kenshin and Kaoru parted.
"WOW Kenshin, your so full of surprises!" Kaoru said, her arms still laced around his neck. Kenshin just smiled and gazed into her eyes. She smiled back, his look was so full of love, his eyes so content.
"I love you, you baka!" Kaoru told him, making Kenshin laugh.
"I love you too Kaoru." Kenshin said.
Meanwhile Misao was dancing with Kenji, since Aoshi had refused to. Kenji threw his arms around to the beat of the music as Misao swayed back and forth to the music. She watched Kenshin and Kaoru dancing and laughing. Oh how she wished she could have what they have. She glanced over to Sano and Megumi, and envied their affections for eachother. She looked over to Aoshi, who had not moved and inch since their arrival. She was mad at him for not being open to her like Kenshin. She was mad at him for not dancing with her like Sano. She was just mad that he couldn't see how much he means to her.
She stomped over to him, Kenji in her arms. "Hold him Aoshi, I need to get something to drink." She told him. He looked up at her like she was crazy. She placed Kenji on his lap and stomped off before he could protest.
He looked down at Kenji who had been staring at him. "Hi Uncle Aoshi, I'm Kenji." Kenji said smiling. Aoshi just stared and Kenji's smile faded away.Aoshi tilted his head, and Kenji tilted his as well. Aoshi crossed his arms over his chest, and Kenji mimicked him, crossing his tiny little arms.
Aoshi raised an eyebrow and surprisingly, Kenji did the same. Then something unexpected happened. Aoshi laughed.
The music stopped and everyone stopped dancing to stare at Aoshi and Kenji. Misao dropped her cup in disbelief. Aoshi? Laughing? It defies all logic!
Kenji smiled and gave Aoshi a hug. Everyone gasped at Kenji's action, unsure of what Aoshi would say or do. Aoshi brought one arm up and hugged Kenji back before placing him on the ground. Misao was in complete and total shock. Kenji ran over to Misao and grabbed her hand and brought her back to Aoshi.
"Do you want Uncle Aoshi to give you a hug too?" Kenji asked as he glanced at Aoshi, then to Misao, and then back again. Aoshi stood up and ruffled Kenji's hair.
"Go back to battosai." Aoshi told him as he pointed to Kenshin. Kenji was unsure of who battosai was, but ran to Kenshin when he saw who Aoshi was pointing too.
"Follow me." Aoshi said to Misao, not even looking at her. The party proceeded with the absence of Aoshi and Misao. Aoshi lead her outside, where the snow fell in big flakes.
Kaoru and Kenshin silently peeked through the slightly open door. Aoshi had his back turned to Misao, who was shivering from the cold. Misao looked down to the ground, her feet sinking into the snow. Her eyes never left the ground, and she was nervous. Why did Aoshi bring her outside?
She felt a pair of strong arms wrap themselves around her. Her eyes grew wide, for it could only be one person. Aoshi.
He rested his chin on her head and she wrapped her arms around him. He was so warm. The cold didn't matter. In fact, she didn't care if the world came to an end, right there and then. All that mattered is that she was with Aoshi, and she was in his embrace.
"Aoshi.." She whispered.
"Misao, I'm sorry." Aoshi told her.
"You have nothing to be sorry for!" Misao told him and she hugged him tighter.
"Yes I do. I know I hurt you. I don't allow myself to get close to you in fear that I will hurt you more. I guess it took a child to help me realize my mistake." Aoshi said.
Kenshin listened on with Kaoru and realized that's what he was afraid of at one time. He understood why Aoshi parted himself from Misao, and he also understood why he couldn't continue to be so far from her. Kenshin smiled, becasue if he was anything like himself, he knew what he was going to do next.
Aoshi tilted Misao's head up so that her face was facing his own.
"I love you." Aoshi told her.
"Oh Aoshi! I Love you too! I always have!" Misao said through tears of joy. She jumped up and kissed her Aoshi. Aoshi was a little taken back at first, but embraced their kiss, and he was glad that he didn't have to bottle up his emotions from her.
"It's so beatiful Kenshin." Kaoru said, her eyes fogging with tears. Kenshin smiled at her and wrapped an arm around her.
Misao's eyes sprung open when she realized what she just did. She separated herself from Aoshi.
"I'm so sorry Aoshi. I don't know what came over me, I..." Misao was cut of by Aoshi's lips pressed against her own.
"Aoshi is a sly one, isn't he." Kenshin told Kaoru making her giggle. Upon realizing Misao and Aoshi were about to walk back into the Akebeko, they scurried over to the dance floor to look like they were dancing the whole time.
Kenji was over near Saiotu staring at him. Saitou looked down at Kenji's big eyes.
"What do you want kid?" Saitou said, taking a drag from what seemed to be his one-hundreth cigareete of the night.
"I was just wondering why your standing all by yourself." Kenji asked innocently.
"Because I like too. Now go away." Saiotu said.
"If you want, I can stand with you so your not all by yourself." Kenji told him,leaning his back against the wall Saitou was leaning on. Saitou raised an eyebrow at Kenji's actions.
"Listen kid, you don't want to hang out with me. I'm not a very nice guy." Saitou told him, in hopes Kenji would leave.
"You don't look mean to me Mr. Saiotu sir." Kenji told him.
"Well son of battosai, I am MEAN. So I suggest you leave rigth now." Saiotu said, hurting Kenji's feelings. Saiotu's stomache then grumbled, and he placed his hand over his stomache. Kenji noticed this.
"Mr. saitou, are you hungry?" Kenji asked him.
"What's it to you kid?" Saiotu said coldly. "Get out fo here!" Kenji turned around and walked away, only glancing back to meet with Saiotu's cruel face.
"Dumb kid." Saitou mumbled to himself. Kenji walked over to the food stand. He grabbed a plate and filled it with everything, he thougt didn't look gross. He then began to walk over to Saitou.
"Didn't I tell that kid to leave me alone?" Saitou thought to himself as Kenji stopped right infront of him. He looked to Kenji's hand to find a plate of food.
"This is for you Mr. Saitou sir." Kenji said, placing the food down on a nearby table. Then he scurried away.
Saitou looked at Kenji in surprise. He got him something to eat, even after he had been so cruel to him. The call of Saitou's stomache was to much to take and so he helped himself to the food Kenji had brought for him.
"Here's a drink Mr. Saitou sir." Kenji said holding up a cup of Sake. Saiotu turned to look down at Kenji who was holding up the cup. He took the cup from Kenji, and Kenji smiled.
"Kid, why are you doing this? I was mean to you." Saiotu said, confused by Kenji's behavior.
"Because I thought you wouldn't be so grumpy if you had something to eat, that's all. Your nice now Mr. Saitou sir." Kenji said.
"Thanks kid."
Kenji smiled. That's all he wanted to hear. He ran off to go find his mother and father. Saiotu smiled slighly.
The night was fading into dawn, and the party began to fade. People falling asleep where ever they pleased. Saiotu fell asleep standing up, his wife sitting beside him. Aoshi lay sleeping on a chair, Misao on his lap. Sano lay flat on a table, Megumi wrapped in his arms. Yahiko and Tsubame asleep next to eachother in the middle of the floor. And in the corner of the Akebeko, Kenshin, Kaoru and Kenji lay cuddled together.
The first to wake was Saitou. He looked down to his watch and realized he was going to be late for work. He picked up his sleeping wife, and quietly, as a wolf stalking it's prey, walked out of the Akebeko to bring his wife home.
Aoshi was next to stir, Misao waking from his movement. She smiled up at him and he smiled back. They walked out of the Akebeko, hand in hand.
Tae began to clean up from last nights party, placing Misao's letter on the table. She didn't want to leave with out saying good bye.
Tae woke up everyone, mad that she had to clean after they had all the fun. They sleepily helped Tae pick up the mess before preparing to leave.
They all stood outside the Akebeko after cleaning up. The sun shown bright reflected off the white snow.
"Well I should be heading to the clinic. You know how it is. People to sew and wounds to bandage." Megumi sighed.
"You guys go ahead, I think I'll Walk Megumi there. Who knows what kind of sicko's want to reek havic upon unsuspecting women at six in the morning." Sano said as he placed an arm around Megumi and they walked away.
"Sano has such a way with words." Kaoru giggled. She looked for Kenji who was throwing snowballs at Yahiko.
"Hurry, hide me Kaoru!" Yahiko yelled as he tried ot hide from Kenji's killer snowballs. Kaoru laughed at Yahiko.
"I think It's time we headed home, I have to make breakfast that I do." Kenshin said as Yahiko's mouth began to drool. They began to walk home. Kenji came running and tripped over a hidden rock in the snow. Yahiko ran back and picked up Kenji and placed him on his shoulders. Kenji laughed as Yahiko began to gallop to Kenshin and Kaoru who were holding hands and whispereing sweet nothings to eachother.
"That's your parents for ya. One minute their the most skilled fighters in the world, the next, their making sweet talk to eahcother." Yahiko told Kenji, who didn't understand a word he had just said.
Yahiko picked up a heap of snow and he and Kenji began to walk quietly towards Kenshin's head. They were barley a foot away when Kaoru turned around and landed a snowball in Yahiko's hair.
"One point for me Yahiko!" Kaoru yelled as yahiko brushed the snow from his hair.
"Not so fast Busu! You haven't won yet!" Yahiko said as he grabbed a snowball and began to chase after Kaoru. She laughed while running, Yahiko hot on her heels.
Kenshin and Kenji watched on. The snow use to bring such horrible memories back to Kenshin. Many he wished to forget. But for each year he had been with Kaoru and Kenji and Yahiko, he had only created memories he wishes to always remember.
"What do you say we go have a snowball fight with mommy and Yahiko?" Kenshin asked Kenji. Kenji just smiled and began to run to join the fight.
Kaoru had Yahiko pinned to the ground, shoving snow in his hair. She fell over laughing and Yahiko couldn't help but break into laughter. Sure he had snow in his hair, but he wouldn't want it to be any other way when Kaoru laughed like she did.
Kenji and Kenshin began to throw snowballs at Kaoru and Yahiko. Kaoru ran behind Yahiko who was trying to block the snowballs.
Kaoru winked at Yahiko who winked back. They grabbed hand fulls of snow and began to pelt them at Kenshin and Kenji. Yahiko and Kaoru chased Kenji and Kenshin home, all laughing along the way.
TO BE CONTINUED! ONE CHAPTER LEFT! WASN'T THIS A MAD LOBG CHAPTER!?
WOW! this took me three days to type! I hope you like it! Please send me those reviews! I love ur responses, its what keeps me going! Thanx a lot!
::opens door to SSJHimura/DarknessFlames's Room::
Lady Himura: 0_ox
::Kenshin, Kaoru, Sano, SSJHimura, DarknessFlame, Cam K. and Davitzu are all playing twister::
Yahiko: Right foot on red. ::the big group shifts with much difficulty::
Sano: Get your butt out of my face SSjHimura!
SSJHimura: Well your stepping on my hand Rooster head!
Sano: ROOSTER HEAD!? Wait till I get my hands on you you little pint sized twirp!
SSJHimura: Pint sized?! I'm just as tall as you bird brain!
::Lady himura walks up to Yahiko::
Lady Himura: May I? ::smiles devilishly::
Yahiko: ::gives same evil grin and hands Lady Himura the board::
Lady Himura: Everyone, left foot on green! ::all struggle to move left foot to green and by now, they are all tangled up::
Cam K: Get off of me DarknessFlame!
DarknessFlame: I would but SSjHimura is on top of me!
Cam K: DON"T FALL! YOU'll BOTH CRUSH ME!
DarknessFlame: Well that makes two of us.
Kenshin: :comes to realize that Kaoru is right under him:: ::blushes furiously::
Kaoru: I don't think I can hold out much longer! My arms are tired! (they have been playing for an hour)
Lady Himura: ::Evil grin:: ::makes up a move:: Right foot on yellow! ::in there position, its quite difficult:: (have any of you ever made up moves during twister to get your friends to fall?)
::on the brink of falling::
Davitzu: Oh man, I have to sneeze!
Sano/Kaoru/Kenshin/SSJHimura/Cam K: No don't!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Davitzu: AHHHHHH CHUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
::they collapse, Kenshin moving under Kaoru to break her fall, Sano landing on top SSJHimura, who fell on DarknessFlame who fell on Cam K.:: ::Lady Himura and Yahiko are laughing their heads off::
Davitzu: ::only one standing:: Hey I won!
Cam. K: Can't....breathe....get...off!
Kenshin: Are you okay Kaoru? ::replys by kissing him::
Lady Himura: ::Pulls curtain infront of them:: they need some privacy *wink*.
Sano: Hey get back to the story, I wanna see what happens.
Yahiko: And put more of me in there!
Lady Himura: See what I have to put up with!!!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sano, Yahiko and Kenji had just walked in through the dojo gates and were making their way to the dojo portch only to be stopped by the scene of Kenshin and Kaoru kissing eachother.
"Uncle Sano, does daddy like the way mommy tastes because daddy does that A LOT!" Kenji said naively and emphasizing on the word "alot". Sano just turned a shade of red at Kenji's question.
"Its a little something we call love ." Sano said as he picked up Kenji who had been staring at Kenshin and Kaoru with a confused look on his face. They went around the back way as of not to disturb Kenshin and Kaoru's little moment.
"Whats love Uncle Sano?" Kenji asked.
"Love. What is love? Love is uh..love?" Sano began to think out loud.
"That's okay Uncle Sano, I'll ask Aunty Megumi." Kenji said. Sano sighed in relief that he wouldn't have to answer a question not even he could desribe to a five year old and make him understand.
"Uncle Sano?"
"Yea Kenji?"
"Where do babies come from?"
"Oro!" (A/N: Sano oroing! hahahaha!)
Megumi had been putting all her medical equipment away that she had used on Kaoru when she heard the dojo gates opening. She went outside to find Sano and Kenji walking her way.
"So how was your breakfast Kenji?" Megumi asked him as Sano placed him on the floor.
"It was lots of fun Aunty Megumi! Uncle Sano said I was a very good boy because I helped him get women to to talk to him! And then it was really funny when Tae-dono hit Uncle sano because he had no money to pay for our food! And then Uncle Sano told me the story about the stork!" Kenji giggled as Megumi's face turned red with anger.
"You used a little kid to pick up women?!" Megumi fumed at Sano as Kenji laughed.
"Not necessarily pick up women, just get their names and a date?" Sano said trying to convince Megumi. Megumi just bit her bottom lip and ran out of the room leaving Sano and Kenji behind, both looking confused.
"Did you make Aunty Megumi mad?" Kenji asked Sano.
"Kenji if there is one thing I'm ever gonna teach ya, its this. Women are emotional wrecks! Remember that, cause you'll be a man someday yourself. Its important information that you MUST remember." Sano said as he heard the dojo gate slam shut. Kenji nodded so that Sano knew he comprehended or thought he did.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*
Kenshin and Kaoru kissed as if they had been apart for years, or so it felt. Kenshin sensed Sano, Yahiko and Kenji coming back to the dojo, but he refused to let go of Kaoru. Kaoru slowly pulled away, giving him small kisses until they stopped.
"I'm glad to see your fine koishii, that I am." Kenshin said.
"And what about you?" Kaoru asked as he pulled his sleeve up to see his arm bandaged up where the dagger had penetrated his skin.
"I'm fine too, Megumi works wonders, that she does." Kenshin said, as Kaoru relaxed once again. Kaoru looked towards the dojo gate. She had seen Megumi run out and she also could of sworn that she saw her crying.
"I bet it was Sano's fault. The guy is so thick headed sometimes!" Kaoru thought to herself. "Perhaps I'll have a little talk with him later...."
Kenshin and Kaoru stood up and were about to go find their son when the dojo gate opened once more and Tsubame came skipping down to the dojo.
"Hello Tsubame-dono, what brings you here?" Kenshin asked as Tsubame walked up to them.
"TSUBAME! HERE!? NOW!? WHERE!?" Yahiko yelled as he practically flew out of his room onto the portch. Yahiko glanced at Tsubame who was blushing like crazy. He quickly fixed himself up and walked over with his chin in the air in his attempt to look taller. Kaoru giggled at him but covered her mouth to muffle the sound.
"Hi Yahiko." Tsubame said shyly.
Yahiko was at a loss for words. Since the whole Musahsi ordeal, Yahiko and Tsubame have been fumbling their words around eachother and have become real shy. Apparently they are not the carefree friends they use to be. They.. matured!
Kaoru, in the attempt to save Yahiko from humiliation, but into the conversation. "Tsubame, what brings you to the dojo?" Kaoru asked.
"Huh? Oh yeah. Well actually, I came to tell Yahiko something." Tsubame said, blushing.
"ME! you hear that! She came to tell ME something! I mean....sure, what's on your mind?" Yahiko said almost smoothly. Tsubame pulled him away from Kenshin and Kaoru and whispered something into his ear. Tsubame had pulled him so far away not even Kenshin could make out what she was saying. Yahiko jumped into the air with a big smile on his face as Tsubame finished telling him her secret. Before she left, she unexpectedly gave Yahiko a kiss on the cheek and scurried out the gates.
Yahiko brought a hand up to his cheek and smiled a big, goofy smile. He clumsily walked back to Kenshin and Kaoru.
"I think she likes me." Yahiko said as he stumbled into his room.
"I wonder what she told him?" Kaoru thought to herself. She was brought out of her consentration by Kenshin grabbing her hand and smiling at her.
"Lets go find Kenji." Kenshin said as Kaoru happily followed.
Inside, Kenji and Sano sat in a corner, Sano had a depressed look on his face, and Kenji was playing with his hair. "Uncle Sano, your hair is really, big and really spikey, and really brown, and really long, and really funny looking and..."
"I got your point, you can stop now." Sano said blankly. Kenji stopped playing with his hair and crawled into Sano's arms. Kenji began to close his eyes, falling prisoner to sleep. Sano looked down at Kenji cuddled into his chest, sleeping. Sano held him tighter, and for moment, wished he could be as lucky as Kenshin, to have a son of his own and a beautiful loving wife who would love him for who he was. Then he thought of Megumi. He thought that maybe he could have all of that with her, if she would have him. Then it hit him. Could she be mad at me because she cares about him? Could that be the reason?
Sano sratched his head in consentration. Kenshin and Kaoru walked in. Sano looked up from where he was sitting on the floor. Kaoru smiled a warm smile and Sano couldn't help but smile back. Kenshin went up to Sano and gentley lifted Kenji up. He walked out of the room and walked to his own room to place Kenji down for a nap, leaving Kaoru and Sano behind.
Sano got up to leave, but Kaoru stopped him by grabbing his hand. He turned around to look into her face. Her warm smile shone brightly, and her eyes twinkled. Sano turned around and gave her his undivided attention.
"What is it Jou-chan?"
"I want to talk to you about something."
"What's on your mind?" Sano asked as Kaoru came and sat next to him. She looked into his eyes with the deepest concern for him. Sano knew the look all to well.
At that same exact moment Megumi was on her way back to the dojo, on the realization that she forgot her bag of medical equipment.
"Sano." Kaoru began, "I've noticed latley that you really haven't been yourself. Is there something you want to talk about? You know you can tell me anything Sano, I'll always listen." Kaoru said, placing a hand on his. Sano smiled warmly. His sister was looking out for him.
"Well Jou-chan I have been thinking, about my life. I don't want to spend the rest of my life drinking and living my life on the lucky role of the dice. I want what Kenshin has. A wife. A son. A family of my own. I know you guys are my family, and you always will be, but, It's not the same." Sano finished.
"And do you think Megumi feels the same way as you?" Kaoru asked.
"That's the last thing she's feeling, she hates my guts!" Sano said. "And besides, what would a high class doctor like that want with an ex-gangster like myself." Sano added.
Kaoru slapped the palm of her hand to her forehead. "Sano, your almost as dense as Kenshin!" Kaoru yelled at him. Sano looked at her in surprise.
"What are you talking about Jou-chan." Sano asked.
"Can't you see Megumi loves you!? Not only is it obviousy, but your as obvious as her!" Kaoru yelled.
"Jou-chan your way over your head you know that!" Sano told her as he turned his back to leave.
"Wasn't it you who told me Kenshin wanted to be more than just friends with me when we were on that boat to the festival? Wasn't it you, who said he loves me, he just needs time? Kaoru said to him.
Sano stopped infront of the door. She was right. He had said all those things to her. And he was right about them. Now she is the one telling him these things, and he himself cannot bring himself to belive them.
"Wasn't it you who told Kenshin to go for it, and tell me that he loved me? Wasn't it you who believed that we would end up together and so you sang on stage(A/N: Sano's Song chapter 14, and I'm still laughing hahaha!), helped beat Musashi and believed that me and Kenshin would get married someday? Sano it was all you. And I care about you too, and I want to see you happy. You helped me, and now I want to help you." Kaoru said as she bowed her head.
Kenshin was walking around to go back into Sano's room when he saw Megumi walking in through the dojo gates.
"Megumi-dono, is there something wrong?" Kenshin asked.
"I just forgot my bag, that's all!" Megumi said coldly.
"Oro?"
Sano turned around and looked at Kaoru, his sister and someone who cared for him. He walked over to her and hugged her. Kaoru hugged him back, and finally, just maybe he would understand what he himself preached to her.
Megumi and Kenshin walked into Sano's room only to see Sano and Kaoru hugging. Both of them gasped and backed out fo the room. They stood outside listening in on the conversation.
"So my so called best friend is trying to steal my wife while I'm not looking? But wait this is Sano we're talking about, There is no way." Kenshin thought to himself, as he could not help feel a hint of jealousy.
"You know Jou-chan, if Kenshin had not already proposed, I probably would of snatched ya as my own wife." Sano teased Kaoru as they both started laughing. Both Megumi and Kenshin's eyes grew wide, not knowing if it was a joke, or if Sano really meant it.
"That rooster-head doesn't care at all for me!" Megumi thought. "He cares more about Kaoru now then he ever will for me." She ran off in a dash, and Kenshin knew for sure she was crying.
"Okay he had better let go of Kaoru now before I go all Hiten Mitsarugi on his back side!" Kenshin thought to himself. After at least a minute or so, and Sano still hugging Kaoru, Kenshin couldn't hep but intrude.
"Ahem" Kenshin said as he startled Sano and Kaoru. Sano knew that look in his eyes all too well. Kenshin was jealous. Sano broke out laughing and so did Kaoru after she realized why Sano was laughing.
"Don't worry buddy. I would never steal your wife. It's tempting, but I wouldn't." Sano laughed, receiveing a playful punch from Kaoru. Kenshin started laughing himself.
"Listen Sano, there is something I want to show you that might help you with your problem." Kaoru said as she motioned for Sano to follow her. "I want you to come too Kenshin." Kaoru said.
They followed her out of the dojo, where they were met with the brisk air of the early winter. They followed Kaoru silently. Kenshin could sense a change in her aura. It became sad as she walked on. They walked out a field filled with dying flowers due to the cold weather. Over the field was a sakura tree, its petals long gone and its beauty no longer radiant for the time being.
Kaoru began to walk across the field of dead flowers, Sano and Kenshin following unaware of where she was taking them. The trudged along until they reached the sakura tree. Kaoru stopped and inhaled the crisp air before kneeling down onto the cold ground. Sano and Kenshin watched her as she began to move aside dead shrubbery and grass. When she finished cleaning she moved aside to allow Kenshin and Sano to see what she was looking for.
They knelt down and found a tombstone. Kenshin brought his hand to the stone and cleared the dirt away from the letters on the stone so he could read them. Kenshin and Sano read the stone. It was the tomb stone of Kaoru'd parents.
They glanced to Kaoru, tears in her eyes. "Read what it says." Kaoru said.
Undeneathe the names of Kaoru's parents, there was something engraved. "Love is to precious a gift, for even in death, their love remains strong." Sano read out loud.
"Do you understand now why I brought you here" Kaoru asked as she wiped away her tears.
"I really think I understand now Jou-chan, thank you." Sano said. Then Sano did something unexpected. He prayed. he prayed to the souls of Kaoru's parents.
"It's not often I find myself in a spiritual mood, actually, it's never, so I may not be good at this kind of thing. But I'm sorry that I never got to meet the parents of someone I care about. Kaoru was the first woman since my mother to actually love me, and she gave me a family, something I only dreamed of having. I may not be your first choice for "brother of the year" but I sure as heck will try. Your daughter has given so much and I hope your as proud of her as I am." Sano said as he opened his eyes and ended his prayer.
Kaoru cried uncontrollably now, but out of happiness this time. She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Sanosuke, thank you for being there, for being my brohter. I love you." Kaoru told him.
"I love you too Jou-chan. And you know your right. I'm not going to wait any longer to tell Megumi how I feel." Sano said. He let go of Kaoru and she walked next to Kenshin who already began praying. Kaoru watched him intently. If only her parents were here to see what a wondeful man she had fallen madly in love with.
"They can see Kaoru, they always can." Kenshin said, reading her thoughts.
"Kenshin, what did you pray about?" Kaoru asked as she shivered from the cold breeze. Kenshin brought an arm around her and whispered into her ear.
"I told them I must be the luckiest man on Earth to be loved by their daughter." Kenshin said and Kaoru cried into his chest, for she was happy.
Kaoru pulled away from Kenshin and looked up to the big tree. She walked around the tree and disappeared behind the trunk. Kenshin and Sano followed her. On the other side of the tree Kaoru traced the words carved into the trunk with her finger. Her parents names were engraved into the trunk, a symbol of their love, carved by Mr.Kamiya himself.
Kaoru kneeled down next to the tree trunk. There was a whole on the trunk and she stuck her hand in, only to come out with two objects. One was a hair brush, belonging to her mother, and one was a pocket knife, the same one Mr. Kamiya used to carve his and his wife's name on the tree.
"When my parents died, I was left with nothing. So I had to sell alot of their belongings. But I couldn't get rid of these, for they reminded me so much of them, so here is where I kept them." Kaoru said.
"May I Kaoru?" Kenshin asked as he pointed to the knife. Karou handed it to him, unsure of what he was going to do. Kenshin stood up and looked at the tree trunk. Kenshin pulled the blade out, the blade as sharp as ever. Kaoru watched as Kenshin began to carve into the tree. It was easy work with the well sharpened-knife. He pulled back and allowed Kaoru to see what he wrote. Kenshin wrote his and Kaoru's name in a heart, just like Mr. Kamiya had. Kaoru hugged Kenshin, for now a symbol of their love would always remain here, even when they are long gone.
Kenshin handed the knife back to Kaoru. She turned to Sano and handed the knife to him. "Sano, I want you to add your name and Megumi's. I want you and her to always be remembered, not only for your love, but as a member of this family." Kaoru told him as Sano took the knife and smiled, tears that threatened to fall, but never would.
He carved their names into the tree as well and took a step back to view his work. Sano handed Kaoru back the knife and she placed it in her kimono. There was nothing left here, and so they began to walk home. Out from behind a rock, Yahiko lay crouching, listening to everything that happened, crying silently.
When Yahiko was sure everyone had left he crawled out from behind the rock and walked over to the Kamiya's grave. (A/N: I need to know their names!) He kneeled down and placed his hands together.
"I'm Yahiko Myojin, and it is an honor to meet the parents of Kaoru. I know I don't show it much, and I probably won't for a while, but I love Kaoru like she was my own mother. Even though I was mean to her, she took me in, and cared for me. I call her names and I make her life miserable, but she still let's me stay, and that's why I grew to love her. You see, someday I hope I can tell her that, and let her know how truley thankful I am that she is in my life. I hope she is proud of me, and that maybe she loves me like like a son, or even a brother." Yahiko ended, tears he tried to hold back, falling down his cheeks.
"I am proud of you my son."
Yahiko turned around to find Kaoru kneeling behind him, her eyes leaking with fresh tears. Yahiko himslef couldn't help but cry freely now. She pulled him into a hug and he hugged her back. He was no longer the ten year old boy she found pick-pocketing on the streets, but he was now a fifteen year old man and she was proud of him.
She pulled away from Yahiko and Yahiko looked behind her to see Sano and Kenshin beaming at him with pride, for they were proud fo him too. Kaoru reached into her kimono and pulled out the knife.
"It's your turn to add your name to this tree, for you are a member of this family as well and you always will be." Kaoru said. She lead him to the back of the tree and he carved his name. He promsied Karou he would come back and add Tsubame's name if they ever get married. And so they all looked at the tree one last time. They became closer as a family that day, and an unbreakable bond was created that would last until the day they would pass on and leave this world behind.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kenji ran around the house, revitalized from his nap. Kenshin played horsey with him as he crawled on all fours, his son riding on his back.
Sano was practicing his speech that he would give to Megumi when he would tell her how he felt. Kaoru helped him by pretending to be Megumi, but Sano kept fumbling his words. Yahiko was playing the bad guy that Kenji had to run away from. It was quite a cute scene.
Yahiko then looked out the window at the sun. "SANO! WE'RE LATE!" Yahiko yelled as he ran to get Sano.
"OH MY KAMI YOUR RIGHT! LETS GET GOING!" Sano yelled as they began to run out the door only to be stopped by Kaoru.
"And where do you two think your going in such a hurry?" Kaoru asked suspisiously.
"No where Jou-chan, uh.. me and my buddy Yahiko just wanted to....."
"Go for a walk!" Yahiko finished for him.
"Your LATE to go for a walk?" Kaoru asked, not believing a word they were saying.
"Yeah, ya know how it is. Its unhealthy to miss a walk at six o'clock at night, EVERYONE knows that! You wouldn't want me to be unhealthy would you Jou-chan?" Sano said with puppy dogs eyes.
"Fine but be back for dinner okay?" Kaoru told them, for she had bought extra food and she didn't want it to go to waste.
As they ran out through the dojo gates, she realized she and Kenshin would be alone. They haven't been alone for who knows how long! Perhaps she would enjoy herself tonight.
Kaoru walked into her room to find Kenshin and Kenji making silly faces at eachother. The silly rurouni made Kenji laugh so hard, that he toppled over. Kaoru laughed at this and then her cover was blown. Kenji stood up and ran to his mother, grabbed her hand and dragged her to come sit with Kenshin and himself.
They played for hours and Kaoru lost track of time, when a knock on her door was heard.
"I'll get it." Kaoru said as she got up and left the room. Kenji was playing with a wooden car Dr. Gensai had made for him for his birthday. Kenshin went to go see what was taking Kaoru so long when he felt one of the floor boards on the floor was loose. He bent down and looked closer at the board. He stuck his fingers aorund the cracks and pulled up. Sure enough the board lifted from the floor and a hole was revealed. Kenshin stuck his hand in and pulled out a book. He opened the book and found that it was a diary belonging to Kaoru. He flipped through the pages, not daring to read her personal writing no matter how tempting it was. He stopped when he found something of interest.
Inserted in one of the pages was a carnation Kenshin had given Kaoru all those years ago. She kept it, although it whithered away. He read the writing on the page. It read about her feelings for him and how she felt when she had recieved the carnation. And he smiled.
He placed the diary back into the board and pulled out a picture. It was a picture of the Kenshin-gumi back when they had first met. They all looked so happy. And that's how they remained, happy.
He placed the picture back in and covered it with the board once again. He picked up Kenji and walked to the front door to see who had knocked. He saw Kaoru standing there looking outside. Snow lay on the ground, and so did foot prints. Kaoru held a note in her hand.
"What doe sit says koishii?"
"It says, follow the foot prints, and that means the THREE Of you!" She told him as she read of the paper.
Kenshin wasn't sure why, but he felt it was a safe idea to follow the foot prints. I guess you could say it was a gut feeling. He nodded at Kaoru and she grabbed a cloak for herself and then grabbed a small one for Kenji. Kenshin wrapped himself in one of his own and he grabbed a lantern to see in the dark with. He brought his sword just in case. He stayed close to Kaoru who held on to Kenji.
They were nearing the Akebeko, strangley enough, that's where the foor prints ended. Kenshin opened the door to find Tae standing at the counter.
"Oh hello Kenshin, what a surprise to see you here at this time of the night!" Tae said. Kaoru walked in after Kenshin and sat down at one of the tables in despair.
"So I guess it was some kind of trick." Karou sighed as Kenshin sat next to her. Kenji began to play with a menu on the table when Tae yelled "NOW!"
The kenshin-gumi along with some of their friends from Kyoto jumped out from behind tables and counters and screamed "Surprise!" causing Kenshin and Kaoru to jump in shock.
"Oh my Kami! What's this for?!" Kaoru said as she recieved a hug from Misao.
"You mean you don't remember what day it is?" Megumi asked. Kaoru just looked at her in confusion.
"Jou-chan, today is the day we all came to live together as a family!" Sano told her from behind Megumi who gave him and evil glare.
"SANO! Your right! How could I forget!?" Kaoru said as she handed Kenji to Kenshin so Misao wouldn't crush him while hugging her.
In the corner sat Aoshi, sipping his cup of tea, along side him was Saitou, smoking his cigarette. They are not very social people as you might of guessed. If it weren't for Misao and Tokio, they probably wouldn't of attended at all. Dr. Gensai and Ayame and Suzume had came as well, but Doctor Gensai had to exuse himself becasue Ayame and Suzume fell asleep so he had to take them home..
"Oh my Kami! Is that Kenji!" Misao screamed as she practically snatched Kenji from Kenshin. "He is so darn cute!" Misao said spinning him around and throwing him in the air. Kenji giggled. He really like Misao because she was so hyper.
"So that's the child of battosai?" Aoshi asked Saitou who nodded. Aoshi watched Misao playing with Kenji and he was lost in thought.
Megumi sat next to the window, watching the snow fall from the sky and land gracefully on the ground. Sano watched her from where he stood. Now was as good a time as any to make his move, so why wasn't he moving?
Kaoru walked up to him and nudged him on his side. He smiled at her but then frowned again.
"Sano, what are you waiting for? You'll never get another moment like this! Go!" Kaoru told him.
"I dunno Jou-chan, what if she rejects me. I don't think I could handle it." Sano told her.
"Are you telling me the great Sanosuke Sagara is afraid of rejection?!" Kaoru asked him. It did sound pretty pathetic when Sano came to think of it, but then why was talking to her so hard? Kaoru noticed a box in Sano's hand.
"Sano, what do you have there?" Kaoru asked, pointing to the box.
"Oh, just a little gift I asked Misao to pick up for me on her way here."
"What is it?" Kaoru asked. Sano opened the box to reveal a beautiful necklace.
"You see, back when we were on Musashi's Island, me and Megumi were looking through the market place. I saw her staring at this necklace, and so I asked Misao to pass by the Island and pick it up for me. Do you think she'll like it?" Sano asked.
"What women wouldn't love this necklace!? It's beautiful!" Kaoru told him. Kaoru placed her hand on her own necklace, the one Yahiko had given her at her wedding. The she glanced at her ring that Kenshin had given her.
"Well I hope she likes it. I'll be in debt with Misao till the day I die!" Sano added, for he asked Misao to pay for the necklace.
Kaoru pushed Sano forward, giving him a reasuring wink. Sano took a deep breathe and walked to Megumi, slowly, very slowly.
Kaoru sat their tapping her foot. It had at least been a minute before Sano had actually reached Megumi. Between stopping to tie his non-existant shoelaces and pretending to clean imaginary lint of his shirt, Sano probably would of taken the whole night to walk up to her if Karou hadn't given him a death glare.
Sano tapped Megumi on her shoulder, startling her form her thoughts. She turned around to meet Sano.
"What do you want rooster-head?" She asked coldly.
"Well I uh..." Sano began, rubbing the back of his head. He glanced over to Kaoru who was saying "apoligize" with her lips. He nodded his head in comprehension and glanced back at Megumi.
"Megumi I.."
"Hold on. Say that again." Megumi told him.
"Say what again?" Sano asked confused.
"Say my name. You didn't say Kitsune, or the fox lady or any of those names you usually call me. You called me Megumi." Megumi said, feeling Kind of akward.
"ok then...Megumi. I came to say that..." Sano began, fumbling his words.
"Yea, rooster head?" Megumi said, trying to hurry him up.
"I'm sorry." Sano said finally causing Megumi's eyes to turn wide with shock. " I'm sorry for being a jerk and not thinking about your feelings and all that other stuff." Sano said, unsure if he was having an effect on Megumi.
"Y-Your sorry? Did I hear you right?" Megumi said, cleaning her ear, hoping she heard correctly.
"Do I have to write it on my forehead! MEGUMI, I'M SORRY!" Sano said to her, throwing his hands up into the air.
"I dunno if I should forgive you or not...." Megumi taunted as she crossed her arms over her chest.
Sano fell over anime style, and Kaoru slapped her palm to her head. "Why is Megumi making this so hard for Sano." Kaoru thought shaking her head.
"C'mon Megumi! I said I was sorry! Isn't that enough?!" Sano said pleadingly. He looked over to Kaoru who was saying " give her the necklace" with her lips. Sano smacked his head at his realization and nodded to Kaoru in appoval. Kaoru gave him a thumbs up and continued to watch when Kenshin walked up to her.
"Uh, Koishii, what are you doing?" Kenshin asked as he looked to where Kaoru was looking.
"Well ya see Kenshin, I was uh...just.."
"Giving Sano pointers on how to impress Megumi?" Kenshin asked, completeing her thought.
"Well you could put it like that heh heh." Kaoru giggled weakly.
"And how is Sano doing?" Kenshin asked.
"He falling faster then a boulder off a cliff." Kaoru told him. Kenshin sighed and walked over to Sano. "May I have a word?" Kenshin said into Sano's ear.
"Can't you see I'm kind of busy over here?!" Sano whispered back as Megumi tried to look over his shoulder.
"Sorry Megumi-dono, but I need to speak to Sano one minute." Kenshin said as she dragged a reluctant Sano towards Kaoru.
"What are you doing over there baka!" Kaoru told him.
"Well I was about to give her the necklace until oro-chan over here came and snacthed me away!" Sano said frustratedly.
"And what exactly did you plan on saying after giving her the necklace?!" Kaoru asked him.
"I would say...." Sano began but,to froze when he realized he had nothing.
"That's what I thought!" Kaoru told him.
"Sano, you should just tell her how you feel, that you should." Kenshin said, placing a reasuring hand on his shoulder. Sano inhaled once and walked over again, where Megumi was waiting patiently.
Both Kenshin and Kaoru crossed their fingers. "Don't mess up Sano. I know you can do this." Kaoru thought in her head.
"Okay Megumi, I'm not going to beat around the bush any more! What I wanted to say is..that I..." Sano began.
"What Sano, just say it!" Megumi said, her eyes growing wider with anticipation.
"I-I-I-I-I" Sano fumbled on and on.
"Out with it already!" Megumi said.
"I bought you a gift!" Sano said, handing her the present and verbally insulting himself mentally.
"You bought me...a gift?" Megumi said in absolute shock. Sano nodded and Megumi began to open the box. She gasped when she saw the necklace. She touched the necklace as if it was a small child. She looked up to Sano, her eyes begining to tear.
"You bought this...for me?" Megumi asked, still unable to belive it.
"Do you like it?" Sano asked her.
"I love it Sano thank you." Megumi said as she stood up and wrapped her arms around Sano. Sano hugged her back, winking at Kaoru and Kenshin, who were silently cheering him on.
"Uh Megumi, there is uh..something else I wanted to tell you." Sano said as he parted from Megumi, only enough to look into her eyes.
"I don't deserve you, and I never will, but I have to say it. Megumi...I love you." Sano said. Kaoru practically crushed Kenshin's hand as she waited for Megumi's reply, but she wasn't half as nervous as Sano was.
"You really mean that Sano. This isn't a joke right? Cause if it is, I'll kill you!" Megumi said seriously.
"What more do you want from me!? I just confessed my undenying love for you! What else do you want!?" Sano said, willing to do anything to convince her of his love.
"This." Megumi said, as she pulled Sano towards her and kissed him smack on the lips. Sano tilted her over and kissed her passionatley as Megumi laced her arms around his neck. A loud uproar From the party was heard and cheers for the new couple rang loudly.
"Rooster head finally did it." Kaoru said, looking on dreamily. "Megumi looks so happy." Kaoru said, as she envied how Sano had tipped her over, not caring what everyone else thought of it. Kenshin read her mind, and did the unthinkable.
He grabbed Kaoru, tilted her over, and kissed her right infront of everyone. Sano and Megumi parted for a second and cheered on Kenshin, for that was something only Sano would think of doing. They returned to their kissing as Kenshin and Kaoru parted.
"WOW Kenshin, your so full of surprises!" Kaoru said, her arms still laced around his neck. Kenshin just smiled and gazed into her eyes. She smiled back, his look was so full of love, his eyes so content.
"I love you, you baka!" Kaoru told him, making Kenshin laugh.
"I love you too Kaoru." Kenshin said.
Meanwhile Misao was dancing with Kenji, since Aoshi had refused to. Kenji threw his arms around to the beat of the music as Misao swayed back and forth to the music. She watched Kenshin and Kaoru dancing and laughing. Oh how she wished she could have what they have. She glanced over to Sano and Megumi, and envied their affections for eachother. She looked over to Aoshi, who had not moved and inch since their arrival. She was mad at him for not being open to her like Kenshin. She was mad at him for not dancing with her like Sano. She was just mad that he couldn't see how much he means to her.
She stomped over to him, Kenji in her arms. "Hold him Aoshi, I need to get something to drink." She told him. He looked up at her like she was crazy. She placed Kenji on his lap and stomped off before he could protest.
He looked down at Kenji who had been staring at him. "Hi Uncle Aoshi, I'm Kenji." Kenji said smiling. Aoshi just stared and Kenji's smile faded away.Aoshi tilted his head, and Kenji tilted his as well. Aoshi crossed his arms over his chest, and Kenji mimicked him, crossing his tiny little arms.
Aoshi raised an eyebrow and surprisingly, Kenji did the same. Then something unexpected happened. Aoshi laughed.
The music stopped and everyone stopped dancing to stare at Aoshi and Kenji. Misao dropped her cup in disbelief. Aoshi? Laughing? It defies all logic!
Kenji smiled and gave Aoshi a hug. Everyone gasped at Kenji's action, unsure of what Aoshi would say or do. Aoshi brought one arm up and hugged Kenji back before placing him on the ground. Misao was in complete and total shock. Kenji ran over to Misao and grabbed her hand and brought her back to Aoshi.
"Do you want Uncle Aoshi to give you a hug too?" Kenji asked as he glanced at Aoshi, then to Misao, and then back again. Aoshi stood up and ruffled Kenji's hair.
"Go back to battosai." Aoshi told him as he pointed to Kenshin. Kenji was unsure of who battosai was, but ran to Kenshin when he saw who Aoshi was pointing too.
"Follow me." Aoshi said to Misao, not even looking at her. The party proceeded with the absence of Aoshi and Misao. Aoshi lead her outside, where the snow fell in big flakes.
Kaoru and Kenshin silently peeked through the slightly open door. Aoshi had his back turned to Misao, who was shivering from the cold. Misao looked down to the ground, her feet sinking into the snow. Her eyes never left the ground, and she was nervous. Why did Aoshi bring her outside?
She felt a pair of strong arms wrap themselves around her. Her eyes grew wide, for it could only be one person. Aoshi.
He rested his chin on her head and she wrapped her arms around him. He was so warm. The cold didn't matter. In fact, she didn't care if the world came to an end, right there and then. All that mattered is that she was with Aoshi, and she was in his embrace.
"Aoshi.." She whispered.
"Misao, I'm sorry." Aoshi told her.
"You have nothing to be sorry for!" Misao told him and she hugged him tighter.
"Yes I do. I know I hurt you. I don't allow myself to get close to you in fear that I will hurt you more. I guess it took a child to help me realize my mistake." Aoshi said.
Kenshin listened on with Kaoru and realized that's what he was afraid of at one time. He understood why Aoshi parted himself from Misao, and he also understood why he couldn't continue to be so far from her. Kenshin smiled, becasue if he was anything like himself, he knew what he was going to do next.
Aoshi tilted Misao's head up so that her face was facing his own.
"I love you." Aoshi told her.
"Oh Aoshi! I Love you too! I always have!" Misao said through tears of joy. She jumped up and kissed her Aoshi. Aoshi was a little taken back at first, but embraced their kiss, and he was glad that he didn't have to bottle up his emotions from her.
"It's so beatiful Kenshin." Kaoru said, her eyes fogging with tears. Kenshin smiled at her and wrapped an arm around her.
Misao's eyes sprung open when she realized what she just did. She separated herself from Aoshi.
"I'm so sorry Aoshi. I don't know what came over me, I..." Misao was cut of by Aoshi's lips pressed against her own.
"Aoshi is a sly one, isn't he." Kenshin told Kaoru making her giggle. Upon realizing Misao and Aoshi were about to walk back into the Akebeko, they scurried over to the dance floor to look like they were dancing the whole time.
Kenji was over near Saiotu staring at him. Saitou looked down at Kenji's big eyes.
"What do you want kid?" Saitou said, taking a drag from what seemed to be his one-hundreth cigareete of the night.
"I was just wondering why your standing all by yourself." Kenji asked innocently.
"Because I like too. Now go away." Saiotu said.
"If you want, I can stand with you so your not all by yourself." Kenji told him,leaning his back against the wall Saitou was leaning on. Saitou raised an eyebrow at Kenji's actions.
"Listen kid, you don't want to hang out with me. I'm not a very nice guy." Saitou told him, in hopes Kenji would leave.
"You don't look mean to me Mr. Saiotu sir." Kenji told him.
"Well son of battosai, I am MEAN. So I suggest you leave rigth now." Saiotu said, hurting Kenji's feelings. Saiotu's stomache then grumbled, and he placed his hand over his stomache. Kenji noticed this.
"Mr. saitou, are you hungry?" Kenji asked him.
"What's it to you kid?" Saiotu said coldly. "Get out fo here!" Kenji turned around and walked away, only glancing back to meet with Saiotu's cruel face.
"Dumb kid." Saitou mumbled to himself. Kenji walked over to the food stand. He grabbed a plate and filled it with everything, he thougt didn't look gross. He then began to walk over to Saitou.
"Didn't I tell that kid to leave me alone?" Saitou thought to himself as Kenji stopped right infront of him. He looked to Kenji's hand to find a plate of food.
"This is for you Mr. Saitou sir." Kenji said, placing the food down on a nearby table. Then he scurried away.
Saitou looked at Kenji in surprise. He got him something to eat, even after he had been so cruel to him. The call of Saitou's stomache was to much to take and so he helped himself to the food Kenji had brought for him.
"Here's a drink Mr. Saitou sir." Kenji said holding up a cup of Sake. Saiotu turned to look down at Kenji who was holding up the cup. He took the cup from Kenji, and Kenji smiled.
"Kid, why are you doing this? I was mean to you." Saiotu said, confused by Kenji's behavior.
"Because I thought you wouldn't be so grumpy if you had something to eat, that's all. Your nice now Mr. Saitou sir." Kenji said.
"Thanks kid."
Kenji smiled. That's all he wanted to hear. He ran off to go find his mother and father. Saiotu smiled slighly.
The night was fading into dawn, and the party began to fade. People falling asleep where ever they pleased. Saiotu fell asleep standing up, his wife sitting beside him. Aoshi lay sleeping on a chair, Misao on his lap. Sano lay flat on a table, Megumi wrapped in his arms. Yahiko and Tsubame asleep next to eachother in the middle of the floor. And in the corner of the Akebeko, Kenshin, Kaoru and Kenji lay cuddled together.
The first to wake was Saitou. He looked down to his watch and realized he was going to be late for work. He picked up his sleeping wife, and quietly, as a wolf stalking it's prey, walked out of the Akebeko to bring his wife home.
Aoshi was next to stir, Misao waking from his movement. She smiled up at him and he smiled back. They walked out of the Akebeko, hand in hand.
Tae began to clean up from last nights party, placing Misao's letter on the table. She didn't want to leave with out saying good bye.
Tae woke up everyone, mad that she had to clean after they had all the fun. They sleepily helped Tae pick up the mess before preparing to leave.
They all stood outside the Akebeko after cleaning up. The sun shown bright reflected off the white snow.
"Well I should be heading to the clinic. You know how it is. People to sew and wounds to bandage." Megumi sighed.
"You guys go ahead, I think I'll Walk Megumi there. Who knows what kind of sicko's want to reek havic upon unsuspecting women at six in the morning." Sano said as he placed an arm around Megumi and they walked away.
"Sano has such a way with words." Kaoru giggled. She looked for Kenji who was throwing snowballs at Yahiko.
"Hurry, hide me Kaoru!" Yahiko yelled as he tried ot hide from Kenji's killer snowballs. Kaoru laughed at Yahiko.
"I think It's time we headed home, I have to make breakfast that I do." Kenshin said as Yahiko's mouth began to drool. They began to walk home. Kenji came running and tripped over a hidden rock in the snow. Yahiko ran back and picked up Kenji and placed him on his shoulders. Kenji laughed as Yahiko began to gallop to Kenshin and Kaoru who were holding hands and whispereing sweet nothings to eachother.
"That's your parents for ya. One minute their the most skilled fighters in the world, the next, their making sweet talk to eahcother." Yahiko told Kenji, who didn't understand a word he had just said.
Yahiko picked up a heap of snow and he and Kenji began to walk quietly towards Kenshin's head. They were barley a foot away when Kaoru turned around and landed a snowball in Yahiko's hair.
"One point for me Yahiko!" Kaoru yelled as yahiko brushed the snow from his hair.
"Not so fast Busu! You haven't won yet!" Yahiko said as he grabbed a snowball and began to chase after Kaoru. She laughed while running, Yahiko hot on her heels.
Kenshin and Kenji watched on. The snow use to bring such horrible memories back to Kenshin. Many he wished to forget. But for each year he had been with Kaoru and Kenji and Yahiko, he had only created memories he wishes to always remember.
"What do you say we go have a snowball fight with mommy and Yahiko?" Kenshin asked Kenji. Kenji just smiled and began to run to join the fight.
Kaoru had Yahiko pinned to the ground, shoving snow in his hair. She fell over laughing and Yahiko couldn't help but break into laughter. Sure he had snow in his hair, but he wouldn't want it to be any other way when Kaoru laughed like she did.
Kenji and Kenshin began to throw snowballs at Kaoru and Yahiko. Kaoru ran behind Yahiko who was trying to block the snowballs.
Kaoru winked at Yahiko who winked back. They grabbed hand fulls of snow and began to pelt them at Kenshin and Kenji. Yahiko and Kaoru chased Kenji and Kenshin home, all laughing along the way.
TO BE CONTINUED! ONE CHAPTER LEFT! WASN'T THIS A MAD LOBG CHAPTER!?
WOW! this took me three days to type! I hope you like it! Please send me those reviews! I love ur responses, its what keeps me going! Thanx a lot!