Konnichiwa minna!  KK, the last 3 chapters were my Easter present from me to you!!!  Enjoy!!

~*~*~*~Aoiya Front Hall~*~*~*~

Kaoru smiled at Megumi as the two women passed eachother.  "How's Misao-chan?

"She's recovering."

"That's good."

She continued down the hall until she saw Kenshin.  "Oh, Kenshin!  If you have a minute, I'd like to talk to you outside."

Kenshin smiled, "Hai, of course, Kaoru-dono.  I'll be right out.  I'll meet you by the sakura tree."  Kaoru nodded.

~*~*~*~By the Sakura Tree~*~*~*~

"Kenshin, I was thinking of leaving for a bit.  Leaving Tokyo I mean."

Kenshin looked shocked, "Why?"

"My father always said he dreamed of seeing me married.  I have decided that if I don't find a husband soon, I might never find one.  So I think I'll leave Tokyo to see if I can find anyone."

Kenshin said nothing, but his mind and heart were in turmoil.  Why is she leaving me?  If she finds someone she'll have to move in with them and I'll be alone again.  "Kami, onegai, don't let her find someone," he said to himself quietly.  He raised his voice so she could hear him, "When do you leave?"

"The day after tomorrow."

"You've found nobody else?"

"Ano…hai, demo it would never work."

"Doushite?"

"Because he doesn't love me."

"Kaoru-dono…I, I wish you luck."  He turned around and mentally as well as physically hit himself on the head.  "Baka baka baka sessha, " he murmured.  Kaoru looked on quizzically.  Shrugging, she left him to begin packing.

~*~*~*~Kenshin's Room~*~*~*~

I have to tell her tonight.  Demo, it's too soon.  I'll do it tomorrow night.  Why did it have to be like this?  He sighed.  Life just dealt him too many blows.  It's my punishment, and I deserve it.

~*~*~*~Kaoru's Room~*~*~*~

I feel awful, demo he only sees me as a friend and someone to protect, and if he doesn't, then serves him right. She decided bitterly.

~*~*~*~The Day After Tomorrow~*~*~*~

"Ja minna!  I changed y mind, I'll either be back tomorrow or the day after," called Kaoru as she left.  Kenshin silently followed.

~*~*~*~That Night at a Bar~*~*~*~

Kaoru sat down in a nearby bar, where she would be staying the night.  A man approached her.  "Konnichiwa, miss, may I?" he asked politely, gesturing to the seat across from her.

Kaoru looked up and smiled, "Of course."

"Arigatou, my name in Tanaka Akito.  (A/N: For all you FB fans, I think the name gives a clue about whether he good or not… ___)

"Konnichiwa!  My name's Kamiya Kaoru."

Despite her protests, he bought them both each a glass of sake.  After a while he asked, "Where are you staying for the night?"

She smiled, "Here.  In the inn."

For a reason as of yet unknown to Kaoru, he grinned happily "Yatta!  I own this inn.  Because you are such a sweet young woman, I'll let you have your room for free."

Kaoru blushed and smiled, "Arigatou, demo-"  He held up a hand to stop her.

"It's fine, really, and you're only here for the night."

Kaoru yawned, "Kami, it's late!  I think I'll be going to bed now.  Arigatou for the drink."

He waved his and dismissively, "It was nothing, demo do you mind staying tomorrow, too?  I'd really like to get to know you better."

Kaoru smiled before leaving.  "I'll think about it," she promised.

~*~*~*~Kenshin~*~*~*~

Kenshin frowned; something told him this Akito was trouble.  But at this point, he could only watch and be ready to protect Kaoru if need be.

~*~*~*~The Next Morning~*~*~*~

Akito polished the tables quickly and sat down.  I hope she stays.  Girls are so fun to play with.  The last was especially fun.  She was so good; too bad I have to silence them all.  He was pulled from his reverie by the sound of footsteps.  He looked up to find Kaoru smiling at him.

"Ohayou Akito."

"Ohayou Kaoru."

She grinned, "I have decided to stay one more day."

Akito's eyes lit up.  "Yatta! Would you like some breakfast?"

"Hai, onegai."

~*~*~*~

They talked over breakfast and lunch, and for much of the afternoon.

"Kaoru," asked Akito late in the day, "Would you like to go on a walk with me?"

"Hai!" she answered brightly.  Akito temporarily closed his inn and they left.

~*~*~*~

After some time, Akito turned to Kaoru somewhat nervously.  "Ano, Kaoru, I know this is a bit sudden, so onegai, forgive me, demo…"  He took Kaoru's hands in his own as he stopped and faced her, "Kaoru, will you marry me?"

~*~*~*~

Kenshin, who'd been following, almost died at those words.  "Iie, Kaoru-dono, onegai iie."

~*~*~*~

Kaoru looked very surprised.  "I'll be good to you.  I make enough money to sustain myself, the inn, and a bit more.  All this land is mine and I can build a dojo on it.  I'll allow you to continue teaching swordsmanship.  I manage on my own, so you won't have to do any housework.  I'll cook for you and everything!"  Kaoru's face lit up with each offer.  She sighed dreamily, "It sounds lovely, demo could I think about it overnight?"

Akito smiled, "Of course, take as much time as you need."

Kaoru smiled, "I think I'll be getting to bed now, demo, arigatou and oyasumi nasai."

~*~*~*Kaoru's Room~*~*~*~

"I don't know, " Kaoru said to herself aloud, "I hardly know him, this might be a bad idea, demo then again, this is how most marriages are anyway.  He's very kind and sweet."

~*~*~*~Kenshin~*~*~*~

Oh, and I'm not? thought Kenshin jealously.

~*~*~*~Kaoru~*~*~*~

"He's quite handsome, too."


~*~*~*~Kenshin~*~*~*~

That's the only thing he's got that I don't.

~*~*~*~Kaoru~*~*~*~

"He's already got a place to live in," though she sounded a little sad.

~*~*~*~Kenshin~*~*~*~

Sessha would let her live wherever she wanted.

~*~*~*~Kaoru~*~*~*~

"He's already got a source of income and some money."

~*~*~*~Kenshin~*~*~*~

Ok, maybe two things: looks and money.

~*~*~*~Kaoru~*~*~*~

"Not many husbands would allow their wife to continue swordsmanship, let alone continue teaching it."

~*~*~*~Kenshin~*~*~*~

Well, sessha's one of them.

~*~*~*~Kaoru~*~*~*~

"He said he would build a dojo for me here."

~*~*~*~Kenshin~*~*~*~

I could do that, besides, I'd let you keep yours.

~*~*~*~Kaoru~*~*~*~

"I wouldn't have to do any housework."

~*~*~*~Kenshin~*~*~*~

Sessha already does all of it for Kaoru-dono.

~*~*~*~Kaoru~*~*~*~

"He'll cook for me."

~*~*~*~Kenshin~*~*~*~

Sessha would cook for Kaoru-dono.

~*~*~*~Kaoru~*~*~*~

"Hai, I think I will say, 'Hai.'"

~*~*~*~Kenshin~*~*~*~

Kenshins' heart plummeted at those words.  Iie, onegai Kaoru-dono, iie.

~*~*~*~The Nerxt Morning~*~*~*~

"Ohayou Akito!" greeted Kaoru cheerfully.

Akito looked up, "Oh, ohayou Kaoru!"

Kaoru grinned, "Bet you're wondering what the answer to your question is, ne?"

Akito nodded.  Kaoru smiled, "I have decided hai, I will marry you!"

Akito's face lit up like a star in the middle of the night, "Arigatou Kaoru!  Yatta!"  He jumped up, picked her up, and swung her around before setting her down and kissing her deeply on the lips.  As they pulled away, the two blushed hard.  "Gomen, demo, I'm just so happy!"

Kaoru smiled, "Of course."

~*~*~*~Kenshin~*~*~*~

Kenshin's blood boiled at the nerve of that Akito guy and his heart almost died when Kaoru agreed to marry him.  There is nothing left for me. he thought sadly.  But he continued to keep watch over Kaoru.

~*~*~*~Kaoru~*~*~*~

Kaoru and Akito spent the day peacefully, and as Kaoru bid him goodnight, she was smiling.  When she reached her room she sat down on her futon and brushed her hair.  "Only one thing would make me even happier…"  She sighed aloud, "Demo, I can never have it, so I have the best I can possible have."

~*~*~*~

Later at night, a light kept burning and curiosity won.  Kaoru decided to find out what was going on.

~*~*~*~Kenshin~*~*~*~

Kenshin opened one eye to find Kaoru tip-toeing out of her room.  Silently following, the two crept down the still-lit room and listened through the moderately-sized crack in the door.

~*~*~*~Inside the Room~*~*~*~

"Hai, I've met this girl, Kaoru, and she's agreed to marry me," came Akito's voice.

"Oh really?" said another, unknown, man's voice.

"Hai, she's smart, fit, headstrong, and spirited, and on top of that she's absolutely beautiful."

Kenshin frowned at Kaoru's deep blush.  Just words.

"When are you going to do it?"

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about.  I love her, so I'm not going to carry it out."

"Gomen, demo, I can't allow that."

"Doushite?"

"Because if one knows, they all know.  All women know how to do is gossip."

"That may be so, demo Kaoru's different.  I'd never hurt her!"

"So be it, demo I can't have you blabbing anything to anyone, can I?  Choose Akito, her or your life.  Choosing her will allow you to walk away with your life, demo, then you have to kill her.  Choosing her will allow you to be with her for a short time before dying."

Silence reigned for a few moments.  "I choose to keep my life."

"Very good."

~*~*~*~Kenshin and Kaoru~*~*~*~

Kaoru and Kenshin crept back upstairs to her room for the rest of the night.

~*~*~*~The Next Night~*~*~*~

"Kaoru?  I know this is a little sudden, demo I think we should start sharing the same room.  We'll have separate futons of course."

Kaoru thought about it for a moment before answering, "Alright."

~*~*~*~Kenshin~*~*~*~

Kenshin was close to surrender at this point; everything Kaoru did and said was like a knife stab to his heart, and he just wanted it to stop.

~*~*~*~Kaoru~*~*~*~

Akito came back with a bottle of sake and two cups.  He placed them down on the table, and pouring them each a cup, said, "Let's drink to our marriage, ne?"

Kaoru smiled, "Hai," and they toasted.

~*~*~*~13 Cups Later~*~*~*~

"Ano, Kaoru, I told you to stop 10 cups ago.  You don't look all that well…You should really stop now."

Kaoru blushed, "Gomen *hic* Hai, let's go to bed, it's getting late."

Akito smiled and helped her upstairs.

Once in the room, Kaoru walked over to the futons and pulled them together so that they created virtually one bed.  "Kaoru, what are you doing?"

"I want to sleep with you."

"Kaoru!  You're drunk!"

"Am not! How come you won't let me sleep with you?" she pouted.

"Because I know you'll regret it in the morning," he trailed off.  That's right!  She won't be here!

"Iie, I won't."

~*~*~*~Kenshin~*~*~*~

Kenshin sighed.  Note to self: Never let Kaoru get drunk.

~*~*~*~Kaoru~*~*~*~

Kaoru giggled and ran to Akito.  She began to pull open his gi and take it off.

~*~*~*~Kenshin~*~*~*~

Kenshin looked on in horror as Kaoru virtually began to undress Akito.

~*~*~*~Kaoru~*~*~*~

After successfully removing his gi, Kaoru lay down on the futon next to him.  "Akito, I want to live like this with you forever."

He looked sadly at her but she didn't notice as she had fallen asleep.

~*~*~*~Later in the Night~*~*~*~

Kaoru woke up, much more sober than before, and turned to face Akito who was still awake.

Akio smiled somewhat sadly and her and pulled her close.   He placed his lips down on hers and kissed her passionately and longingly.  She was too surprised to return it but when they pulled apart, both were gasping for air.

~*~*~*~Kenshin~*~**~

Kenshin's heart plummeted yet another 20 feet as he realized it was her first real kiss, but it went no further because luckily for him, she didn't kiss back.

~*~*~*~Kaoru~*~*~*~

He looked into her eyes with so much love in his own that she was almost frightened.  "Kaoru, aishiteru, so much, that I don't think you'll ever know.  I want you to be mine and I want to be yours.  Gomen, Kaoru.  Aishiteru."  He choked for a second on unshed tears, "Oyasumi nasai, koishii, aishiteru."  He kissed her sweetly on the lips and turned over.

~*~*~*Kenshin~*~*~*

Kenshin was too busy watching Kaoru's reaction to notice what Akito was doing.  Kaoru was blushing, looking confused, and smiling dreamily, all at once.  I could do that!

~*~*~*~Kaoru~*~*~*~

Akito pulled a small dagger from beneath his pillow.  Time to do what I never wanted to do.  At least she knows I love her.

Kaoru turned over just as Akito did, so now he faced her back.  He held up the dagger and whispered, "Gomen, Kaoru, aishiteru."

Kenshin, using his god-like speed, crept silently behind Akito and placed his sakabatou against his throat before he could suspect anything. "If you so much as touch her, I swear I will kill you."  Akito swallowed and nodded slightly.  Kaoru meanwhile, had turned over and her eyes were wide.

Kenshin had appeared before she could scream, but it was still frightening.  "K-Kenshin."

He looked up at the sound of his name and smiled meekly at her before turning back to Akito, "Get out.  If I see you within 3 feet of Kaoru-dono again, I won't hesitate to kill you.  If I see you within 10 feet of Kaoru-dono again with that dagger, I'll do more than just kill you, got it?"  His voice was cold and emotionless, so unlike anything Kaoru had heard from him before.  He took the sword away from Akito's throat and sheathed it.  After making sure he was gone, Kenshin jumped out the window, calling, "I'll be here if you need me, Kaoru-dono, the Aoiya is worried abut you."

Kaoru lay down and sighed.  "Kenshin?" she called quietly.  He was by her side in a flash.  "Can you sleep in here with me tonight?" she asked, gesturing to the room.  He nodded and smiled, falling asleep in his trademark position: leaning against the wall, sakabatou tucked beneath his arm.

~*~*~*~The Next Morning~*~*~*~

"Kaoru-dono?" asked Kenshin tentatively.

"Hai?" replied Kaoru from inside her futon.

"Are you mad at me?"

"Mad?" questioned Kaoru, confused, "Doushite?"

"Because sessha has been following you the whole time."

"I would've been pretty annoyed, demo it was a good thing in the end, ne?"

Kenshin didn't say anything but he smiled kindly at Kaoru, "Do you really think I'd let you die?"  His voice was incredulous.

"Well, iie, demo I didn't know you were there, so I guess hai.  At that moment I was wishing so hard for you to come, and you did!  Matte, doushite?  Who cares if I die?"

Kenshin practically gaped at Kaoru for a moment, "Nani?!  Misao and Tsubame think of you as an elder sister, Yutaro as both an elder sister and a sensei.  Misao looks to you as a friend, too, as does everybody else, including Soujirou.  You're like Megumi's younger sister and friend, Sano's younger sister.  Yahiko sees you as his sensei, elder sister, as well as his surrogate mother.  To the four of us, you are our family."

Kaoru's eyes had teared up at this point.  "Hai, gomen.  For doubting you all.  Demo, would you care?"

Kenshin was silent in thought for a moment.  "For our 'family', your death would be devastating, and sessha is a part of our 'family'."

Kaoru's face lit up, "What am I to you?"

"We should start heading back to the Aoiya, that we should."  Kaoru said nothing, but she knew he was trying to change the subject.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

KK, hope you liked that!! That was your k/k part!! (haha from where he saves her onward is my favorite part!!!!!! Almost as favorite as the last chapter!!!)

RECOMMENDATIONS:

All stories, but especially I'm Not Leaving :::~::: moonsilver Rurouni Kenshin: G

No Life Flower: Remade! :::~::: Cold-Heritage Inuyasha: PG-13

Cold-Heritage's story is really good, but I definitely suggest reading them both!! (Cold-Heritage/moonsilver)  moonsilver's are short 'n' sweet with tons of fluff!! (k/k!! a/m!!) theres also a lovely (longer, multi-chapter) one about saitou and tokio

Kk HAPPY EASTER!!!!!  This is my gift from me to you and I hope you all enjoyed.  I have te next chapter done, but im not happy with it, so im going to try and fix it up…its just sooo short!! Btw, ill be finishing up in the next few chapters, but I will write an epilogue, so don't worry (unless you guys don't want one ___)