Author's Note: I had originally intended for the story to end here but several have asked for the wedding to be told so the story will continue with a new plot twist that will make the tale suspenseful. And I'm sorry but the Christian elements in the story will continue, in line with the research I did of the growth of Christianity in Japan at the time and the persecution that took place so if that disturbs, dismays or offends anyone, after this chapter please read no further. Thank you for reading and all those who have reviewed, your comments and encouragement are all greatly appreciated. Lovers of Kenshin/Kaoru fluff—this is for you.

Glossary of Japanese words and phrases

Aishiteru—I love you

Koishii—Beloved—as a man refers to a woman.

Itoshii—Beloved--as a woman refers to a man.

Tenshi—Angel

Koibito--Sweetheart

Iie—No

Shinobi—Another word for ninja

Bakumatsu—Final chaotic days of the Tokugawa regime.

SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY

The newly betrothed samurai and kendo teacher strolled back to the Aoiya, hand in hand as they mused about their pending futures now joined by the promise of marriage. As they walked Kenshin's heart was light yet filled to overflowing as he gazed at his wife-to-be and the way the moonlight danced on her midnight tresses. He took her left hand and encompassed it with both of his as a soft smile curved his lips.

Kaoru noticed his expression and said softly, "What has you smiling so?" Her sapphire eyes sparkled in the silver light of the full moon.

Kenshin stopped and faced her as he replied, "I was just remembering some words I read, that I was."

"Oh, and what words were they? Something from the Bible?"

"No, not this time. Some words from the book of poetry you shared with me one night. Do you remember, koibito?"

Kaoru was at a loss as she shook her head. "I remember reading to you but I don't specifically remember the poems."

Kenshin placed his hands on her shoulders as he relayed, "You had left after reading some sonnets to me. Before I left the parlor, I took your book and read the next poem. It has stayed with me since then."

Kaoru studied Kenshin quizzically as he began to recite:

She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that's best of dark and bright

Meet in her aspect and her eyes:

Thus mellow'd to that tender light

Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,

Had half impair'd the nameless grace

Which waves in every raven tress,

Or softly lightens o'er her face;

Where thoughts serenely sweet express

How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,

So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,

The smiles that win, the tints that glow,

But tell of days in goodness spent,

A mind at peace with all below,

A heart whose love is innocent!

Kaoru was struck speechless by the words uttered to her in his soft yet deep voice, gentle like a caress as the moonbeams illuminated his eyes and caused them to shimmer like jewels. Her heart began beating against her chest in such a way that she felt the surface of her kimono was in motion.

"That poem when I read it spoke to my heart of you, Kaoru," he murmured.

"Oh, Kenshin!" Kaoru breathed, her eyes filling up with tears. "I-I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say a word, koishii. Just allow me the freedom to finally convey my thoughts to you and give you my heart," he responded as he gently brushed her tears away. "And please don't cry."

Kaoru sniffled as she smiled and apologized, "Forgive me, I'm just being silly. I was just so touched by what you said to me, I began to cry."

Kenshin chuckled as he used his sleeve to wipe her eyes. "I think we'd best hasten to the Aoiya before they send a group of shinobi after us."

Kaoru giggled as she responded, "Hai, led by Misao."

Kenshin took her hand and they quickened their steps heading to the Aoiya. . . .

Back at the hostel, Misao was impatiently pacing as she demanded, "Okay, so where are they? They've been gone for hours!" She, Aoshi, and Okina were in the room leading to the courtyard and both men were seated as the teenage ninja was on her feet.

Aoshi sat in his customary state of reticence and he replied, "The Battousai said that he and Kamiya-san will be back, Misao so I have no cause to doubt him."

Okina nodded, "I agree with Aoshi. Himura is a man of his word, as he has proven to us before."

"I know," Misao admitted grudgingly. "But I can't stand the suspense! Did Himura ask Kaoru to marry him or not, it's killing me!"

Aoshi said neutrally, "Misao, the Battousai and Kamiya-san will tell us when they are ready. In the meantime, get your mind off it, it's only upsetting you."

Misao's teal eyes gazed at the poker faced Aoshi and saw in his eyes a subtle light of concern, which made her feel all warm inside. . . .

Outside, Kenshin and Kaoru strolled to the front of the Aoiya and came to a stop. They were standing on the street, illuminated by both moonlight and fireflies, the gas streetlights dim enough to allow the lunar light to dance with the tiny green points and added to the scene of hushed beauty. They faced each other, sapphire meeting amethyst as their love radiated to each other from the windows of their souls.

They walked to the door and as Kenshin reached to slide it open it slid itself as an impatient Misao greeted them, arms akimbo.

"Well, it's about time! I was gonna send Shiro and Kiro after you, where were you all this time?" the youthful shinobi demanded.

Kenshin flashed her a sweet rurouni smile as he replied, "We had some errands to run, that we did."

"And something to do," Kaoru said nonchalantly as they all stepped into the Aoiya and were joined by Okina and Aoshi.

"Welcome back Battousai, Kamiya-san," Aoshi said quietly.

Okina nodded as he said, "You both must be very tired and hungry. I'll have Omasu fix a meal for you." He turned to summon the girl but was halted by a restraining hand.

"Later, Okina-san. We have something to share with you, our friends." He turned to Kaoru and grasped her elbow to bring her by his side. "I have been granted the greatest of honors this night for Kaoru has consented to be my wife."

The three ruling members of the Onewabanshuu were encircling the newly engaged couple, the joy apparent even on Aoshi's austere features as his aquamarine eyes sparkled.

Misao burst into ecstatic chatter as she mugged both Kenshin and Kaoru. "Oh I knew it! I'm so happy for you two!" And she hugged Kaoru tightly as her joy for the girl who had become as close as a sister bubbled forth.

Okina called out, "Omasu, Ochika, Shiro, Kiro! Come at once!"

The sound of running footfalls sounded as the four shinobi warriors came at a sprint, their faces urgent as they arrived at the gathered group.

Omasu took a deep breath and asked, "What is it, Okina, Aoshi-sama? Is there trouble?"

Okina and Aoshi shook their heads. "It appears that congratulations are in order for the Battousai. He and Kamiya-san are to wed," Aoshi informed them.

The foursome glanced at Kenshin and Kaoru in astonishment first, followed by delight as they all joined the others in adding their kudos to the couple. The women all surrounded Kaoru as Misao grabbed her left hand.

"Ohhh, Kaoru-san it's lovely!" Omasu gushed as she and Ochika admired the ring.

"Kirei! Kaoru-san you're truly fortunate," Ochika said cheerfully.

Misao lowered her head as she said contritely, "I almost spoiled everything before, Kaoru. Forgive me?"

Kaoru studied her friend as she asked bluntly, "You knew what was going to happen all along, eh Misao?"

Misao nodded. "Himura wrote to us two months ago to ask if you and he could stay here and he said he was planning to propose to you. But we were sworn to secrecy so that's why I acted strangely before, I thought he had already asked you before you both got here."

Kaoru's eyes lit up with understanding. Kenshin's mysterious behavior all made sense now, this trip had been meticulously planned with his proposal of marriage as the finish, the grand finale. And the trip and its meanings suddenly became even more precious to her.

She embraced Misao as she thanked her friend, "Arigatou Misao-chan."

The men, in the meantime had retreated to another room where Okina had broken out some sake and he poured libations for all except Aoshi, who declined. The elderly shinobi cleared his throat.

"Well, let's all raise a toast to Himura, who will make a fine husband. And may your first born be a healthy son!"

They all raised their cups and drank as Okina continued, "I've felt all along that you and Kaoru-chan were destined to be. I remember when she first arrived from Tokyo when you came to battle Shishio how anxious she was to see you and I knew by the sadness I saw in you under that determination you had that she was the dear one you left behind in Tokyo."

Kenshin nodded as he affirmed, "Aa. Leaving all my friends in Tokyo was hard but leaving Kaoru was like dying inside. But I had to protect her from those who would come from my past to confront me. When I left I had felt that I would never see her again, that I did."

Okina nodded and said sagely, "But she followed you, as did all your friends and fought with you. And we of the Onewabanshuu were glad to fight as well for you brought Aoshi back to us."

Aoshi nodded as he agreed, "We owe you a debt of gratitude, Battousai."

Kenshin smiled as he nodded, the memories of the occurrence last year as vivid and clear as if it had happened only yesterday. He remembered seeing the three of them in Kyoto to join in his battle against Shishio Makoto; Sano, Yahiko, and especially Kaoru and the way it had brought joy to his heart. After ten years of lonely wandering, he had a family, a group of people that he loved and who loved him in return. And he still could not believe that a lovely, courageous, generous and compassionate woman as Kaoru would return the love he had for her and agree to marry him. Arigatou Kami-sama for everything he said in a fervent prayer of thanksgiving.

Okina nodded as he added, "You are indeed one of our trusted and dear friends and will always be so."

Aoshi commented mildly, "You have a look of enlightenment as well as your happiness for your betrothal, Battousai. Have you found your peace?"

Kenshin nodded as Aoshi continued, "In that book you shared with me before?"

"Aa. I feel I have made wise decisions about my future, that I have." Kenshin smiled serenely as both commanders of the Onewabanshuu studied the placid countenance of the man who was once the most feared assassin of the Bakumatsu. . . .

Later the engaged couple was strolling in the courtyard of the Aoiya, under the moonlight as the rest had retired, neither ready to end the day that had brought such joy to them. The fireflies waltzed back and forth, reflected in the mirror surface of the well adding to the silver luminescence of the moon and stars. Hands entwined, both walked in companionable silence.

They stopped to watch the fireflies dance and Kenshin broke the silence with his comment. "They are beautiful fireflies, aren't they?"

Kaoru nodded, "Hai, like that night. The night you said good-bye and I thought I would never see you again." She sighed at the memory then her face lit with a smile as she added, "Many things have occurred since that fateful night to bring us to this night." She gazed at the ring on her finger that sparkled and beckoned her to the future.

Kenshin rested his hands gently on her slim shoulders as he declared, "We have a wonderful life ahead of us, Kaoru. And I promise that I will do all in my power to make sure you never have any regrets. Tonight, koishii, you have made me a happy man, that you have. Aishiteru."

Kaoru came closer as she responded softly, "And you have made my deepest wish come true by asking me to be your wife. Aishiteru, Kenshin itoshii."

Kenshin slid his hands slowly from her silk covered shoulders and cupped her face to draw it to his as his mouth ever-so-gently alit on her parted lips like a butterfly on a dewy rose. He slowly, tenderly kissed her, his mouth teasing hers open, allowing his tongue entry to sample of the nectar within and he savored it as a heady taste that he could not get enough of. He felt the molten flame of passion erupt in his body as the kiss deepened and her scent of jasmine tickled his nostrils, intoxicating him, making him totally oblivious to everything but Kaoru.

Kaoru entwined her arms about him, melding against him as her heart swelled with desire and the knowledge of his love as she opened before him like a crocus to the first rays of spring. Her heart fluttered as she experienced feelings she had never felt before and they served to be both exciting and frightening as they overpowered her. She gently broke the kiss, as she became suddenly uncomfortable and took a step back.

Kenshin sensed her reticence and asked softly, "What is it, tenshi? Have I done something wrong?"

Kaoru shook her head as she averted her eyes shyly. "Iie. I'm just overwhelmed by it all, forgive me." She was shamed by her inexperience with love.

Kenshin immediately understood and enfolded her in his arms. "It is I who should be asking your forgiveness. I was carried away and acted too aggressively, I'm sorry." He was filled with remorse for in his eagerness he had truly forgotten about her youth and unfamiliarity in the ways of a man and a woman. But deep inside he was secretly elated that he would be the man to initiate her into the intimacy of marriage.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Kaoru. Your innocence is what has captivated me since the day we met and when we are wed, I'll be sure to move slowly with you." He took her chin in his hand to lift her head to face him. " So trust me, koishii."

Kaoru gazed into the sincerity reflecting in his eyes and she smiled as she assured him. "There's no other in this world that I do trust, Kenshin."

The flame haired samurai smiled as he caressed the ivory visage and lost himself in her twin sapphire pools as the last stanza of the poem echoed in his mind.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,

So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,

The smiles that win, the tints that glow,

But tell of days in goodness spent,

A mind at peace with all below,

A heart whose love is innocent!

Kenshin took Kaoru in his arms and whispered, "Do you know what day it is?"

She nodded without hesitation. "Hai. It's May 14th."

And as they did the night a year before, the fireflies encompassed Kenshin and Kaoru as they embraced.

Final Note: I was listening to Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana while writing this—it's the lovely classical piece of music playing during the good-bye scene in ep 31

TO BE CONTINUED—NEXT—AS THE FUTURE AWAITS—BOOK II