Author's Note: Here's the wedding folks—I researched the traditional Japanese wedding which is Shinto but with the fact that there are over 1 million Christians in Japan, a web site I visited stated that the Shinto ceremony can have Christian elements. So based on Kenshin's and Kaoru's new faith, I did that and followed the traditional dress and ritual with Christian elements so those offended—just skip reading this chapter. And, I refer to the scene in ep 62 when Megumi advises Kaoru of her influence on Kenshin. I also had them recite the poems that were in the first chapter to tie in and make it more fluffy. And speaking of fluff, the epilogue will be the wedding night, fluff with a touch of citrus so the rating will go up. Thanks so much readers (8594) and I'm humbly grateful to the reviewers who have given this story 165 reviews—from the bottom of my heart, thank you!
Glossary of Japanese words
Kami--God
Iesu—Jesus
Sakaki—During the ceremony, twigs that the bride and groom place at the Sacred Tree at the shrine as they worship the god. In this story, the Cross takes the place of the tree. (In some writings the cross is referred to as a "tree")
ANOTHER OBSTACLE
Kenshin and Kaoru came over to the group of friends waiting for them and were greeted by a flood of relief that came from everyone with the exception of Hiko, who as usual, had a rather condescendingly bored expression on his aquiline features. Saito turned toward the stairs and raised a whistle to his lips. A shrill shriek sounded and about half a dozen uniformed police bearing shackles sprinted up the stairs and came to a halt, surveying the scene of bodies strewn about.
"Don't worry they're alive. Get them chained up and out of here," ordered Saito.
"Hai, sir," The police officers all did as the assistant lieutenant bade as he strode over to Kenshin. "I assume Hashimoto is in the temple, severely injured but alive."
Kenshin nodded wordlessly, his head downcast. He held Kaoru to his body tightly, as if she were about to be stripped away from him. Saito called two of his men over to go in to investigate.
Kaoru stopped them. "Check the meditation chamber to the left of the budusan. A woman by the name of Maita is there with a shattered knee and dislocated shoulder," she said in a tired voice.
Saito sent the officers in and smirked as he responded, "Hmmph, I guess the assistant master of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu did our job for us."
Kaoru skewered the former Wolf of Mibu with her sapphire orbs unflinchingly. "It was self-defense. She tried to kill me with a katana."
Saito held his hands up and retorted, "I didn't say anything, Kamiya-san." He headed into the temple.
Kaoru sighed as she noted with dismay the demeanor of her future husband. "Kenshin," she said softly.
He did not respond except to hold her even tighter, causing her to protest. "Kenshin, please let go of me, I can't breathe."
"Huh? Oh, gomen Kaoru." He released her and Danjuro, Sano, Yahiko, Misao and Aoshi watched with growing concern as Kenshin's behavior was quite odd as if he were numb.
Misao glanced at Kaoru questioningly and the girl shrugged as she gazed at the former hitokiri who seemed in a state of suspended animation, his eyes covered by his fiery bangs. Hiko sided over and gave his former apprentice a shake.
"Snap out of it, Kenshin. You went and rescued your bride, it's all over and done with."
At those words, Saito's men came out of the temple, carrying the unconscious and bloody forms of Maita and Hashimoto with the wolfish officer descending the steps of the temple and then striding over to the gathering of people.
"Just as I thought, both are alive but need medical attention. My men will load them all on the wagon on the road. I also have a carriage waiting to return you all to the dojo. I'm sure all your wedding guests are waiting. " He leisurely lit a cigarette as he noticed Kenshin's reticence.
"Battousai," he drawled as he exhaled a puff. "You can go and get married now."
Kenshin responded with a nod, his manner still and Kaoru was getting more concerned as she studied him, made afraid all the more by his continued silence.
Danjuro approached and said softly to Kenshin, "We'd best be getting back to the dojo" Kenshin nodded and headed down the steps to the waiting carriage with the others.
They all got to the carriage where three other officers waited to drive the bride, groom and all of their compadres home. As they all climbed in, the former fighter-for-hire addressed the former leader of the third Shinsengumi.
"Say Saito," Sanosuke wanted to know. "How was it that you knew what had happened? You weren't at the wedding."
Saito grunted, "I've had my men staking out both the Kamiya Dojo and the abandoned Jinsoku Kawa shrine since the incident at the yui-no. The Battousai and the Oniwabanshuu have kept me well informed as to what Akai Ryu was planning so it looks like you were the only one out of the loop, baka."
Sano sniffed as he entered the carriage and sat next to Yahiko, across from Kenshin. "Say Kenshin, why the hell didn't you tell me what was goin' on, huh? I told you to let me know so I could help."
Kenshin remained unresponsive, staring out the window as the carriage lurched forward to head home.
Kaoru said to Sano, "Sanosuke, I'm sure--," but a flat baritone interrupted.
"My apologies. I meant no slight," Kenshin intoned as he continued watching the landscape slide by the window.
"Kenshin, anata it's all right," Kaoru said soothingly as she reached a hand to his shoulder but was dismayed as he jerked away from her touch as if singed. Her heart felt chilled as she sensed her future husband withdrawing and she was filled with a cold dread.
Danjuro noticed her pique and reached and patted her hand as he said softly, "Don't fret Kaoru-san. I'm sure he's just tired after the events."
Kaoru shook her head as she said worriedly, "I hope so but I've seen Kenshin like this before. He's punishing himself and won't speak about it. We'd best leave him alone for now."
Danjuro nodded as he studied the former hitokiri knowingly. . . .
At the dojo, everyone from the Itikaku Mizu group had remained along with Dr. Gensai, Megumi, Tae, and Tsubame as Tamiko led the group in a prayer vigil for the safe return of the to be married couple. The foursome watched fascinated as the group lifted up their words to Kami as an urgent request.
Tamiko continued as her words rang through the room, "Oh, mighty Kami above, we ask you to please protect our dear Kaoru-chan and Ken-san who were to marry. Please return them back here so they may join together and become one as was Your intention this day. In your Holy Name we pray, amen."
The group murmured their prayers as well as Megumi leaned over and whispered to Tae, "So this is a hanare Kirishitan group. And Ken-san and Kaoru are a part of them?"
"Hai, it appears so," Tae replied. "They appear to be just regular people like us, not decadent or strange like I've heard."
A chorus of "Amens" and a word that sounded like "Hallelujah" echoed in the reception hall, raising in pitch as the people invoked the name of their Savior, Iesu.
Tsubame leaned and whispered to Tae, "Tae-san, it looks like they're crying. Why are they doing that?"
"I guess that's how they pray," Dr Gensai answered. "Most peculiar."
The sound of the door sliding open interrupted both the prayer session and speculations of the same as Yahiko, Sanosuke, Aoshi, Misao, and Hiko all entered.
"Tadaima," Yahiko announced as everyone jumped to their feet and rushed forward as they were met at the door. Tsubame came to the boy samurai first and hugged him, drawing a furious blush in response.
"I'm so glad you're all right, Yahiko-chan," she said eagerly as he groaned in protest.
"Thanks just the same but do ya have to call me "chan?"
Megumi came to Sanosuke and asked, "So what happened?"
Sano grunted as he replied, "Same as always. Kenshin kicked Hashimoto's ass and we took out his goons so Jou-chan was rescued but while we were taking care of business she also whipped Hashimoto's woman."
"I see. So where are the two?" Megumi looked over his shoulder to the gate.
Sano glanced behind him and seeing empty space was perplexed and shrugged. "Beats me. I thought they were right behind me. Oh well, where's the food?"
Megumi slapped him on the arm. "Baka, the ceremony hasn't even taken place yet, can't you wait?"
"But it's late and I haven't eaten all day," Sano protested.
The foxy lady doctor landed a punch on his unsuspecting head. "You can wait like the rest of us."
"Oww, watch it, kitsune."
Concerned, Tae inquired of Misao and Aoshi. "Is everything all right?"
Misao exchanged a glance with Aoshi and said hesitantly, "I don't know. I think you'd better let them explain."
"Okay, so where are they?" Tae wanted to know. . . .
Outside the gate, Danjuro and Kenshin alit from the carriage as Kenshin raised his hands up to grasp his fiancée's waist and assist Kaoru in her exit. Once they were out and the carriage rolled off, they opened the gate and entered the breezeway before the main hall door but Kenshin halted, causing the other two to stop and glance at him inquiringly.
Kaoru turned to Kenshin and said, "C'mon anata, we kept everyone waiting. I'll freshen up and we'll get married."
Kenshin stood there woodenly as he raised a hand to his bloody shoulder. "My haori is stained," he said tonelessly.
"Oh my, are you all right?" she cried, alarmed.
"I'm fine," was the reply.
Kaoru looked at him with a mixture of worry and irritation. She confronted him and demanded, "Kenshin, what's wrong? You haven't said a word all during the ride home."
"Kaoru, please go inside and wait. I'll be there shortly." His voice was not the gentle voice of the rurouni but the cold monotone of the Battousai and it brooked no disobedience.
Kaoru was dismayed and a little frightened by the way Kenshin spoke but she headed in, glancing at Danjuro as she passed. He smiled reassuringly at her as she slid the door and entered the main hall, closing the door and leaving the two men alone in the breezeway.
Danjuro faced the former hitokiri and began, "Your bride eagerly awaits you, Ken-san."
"I know," Kenshin replied laconically.
"So why are you hesitating?"
He looked directly into Danjuro's eyes, his own amber orbs penetrating and narrowed. "I nearly broke my vow and took a life this night, the night I was to be with my innocent bride. How can I sully her by wedding her when that is so?"
Danjuro sighed as he said, "You went to rescue her. If you hadn't gone there and fought, she would have been killed. You saved her life."
"That may be so but I'm again aware that I'm too stained to consider a life with her. The wedding will not take place," he said with conviction.
Danjuro eyed him in amazement. "You're not serious."
"I am."
"You're upset and not thinking straight. How could you think of disappointing Kaoru-chan after all the both of you just came through? You must go through with it."
"You don't understand," Kenshin said as he vehemently shook his head. "I actually wanted to kill Hashimoto. I used the Kuzo Ryu Sen against him and flipped the blade of the sakabatou to kill him but I held back on my attack. That's why he's so seriously hurt and not dead but I made sure he was close to death." He turned and said over his shoulder, "I had lust for his blood that rivaled any I felt during the Bakumatsu working for Katsura."
Danjuro laid a hand on the flame-haired samurai's shoulder. "You were acting out of fear for the safety of the one you treasure above all. It's understandable."
Kenshin laughed bitterly, "Understandable maybe but it's still wrong. Isn't it what the Bible says, that we should value all life. I just made a mockery of my new faith as well as came close to breaking my vow to never kill again. I don't deserve salvation or the love of one as pure as my Kaoru."
Danjuro said quietly, "You say you won't marry her yet still speak of her as your Kaoru."
Kenshin's eyes became faraway as he responded, "To me she will always be my Kaoru no matter what."
Danjuro saw the pure misery on the former assassin's face so he took his hands and planted both on Kenshin's shoulders. "Listen to me, Battousai. Nobody deserves salvation, we all are too sin stained and unworthy to gain it from Kami above and if we tried to do everything it takes to gain his favor alone, it would be impossible. No matter how hard you worked to right your wrongs you still would be woefully inadequate."
"Then why even try? I should just leave here and allow the next one looking for vengeance to kill me and be over with it," Kenshin said sardonically.
Danjuro shook his head. "Ken-san, that isn't the end and you know it. You accepted Iesu and his gift and with that gift comes true forgiveness, forgiveness from Kami and forgiveness from others. By others I mean those around you who love you, especially your Kaoru. Didn't you tell me when you first met her that she accepted you into her home unconditionally? "
For the first time since he had discovered Kaoru had been abducted Kenshin smiled. "Hai, that she most certainly did. It made me fall in love with her almost instantly."
Danjuro smiled as he said, "Then why can't you look at Kaoru and her love as Kami's way of bestowing forgiveness to you? Her acceptance of you despite your past is just like Iesu accepting you and granting the gifts of salvation and forgiveness."
"But I'm not worthy," Kenshin protested weakly.
"None of us are," Danjuro retorted. "But that's what makes our faith and devotion to Iesu so precious and miraculous. He accepts us without conditions, only a willing and repentant heart."
Kenshin gazed into the warm umber orbs of a man who, like him had taken lives without hesitation during the violent days of the Bakumatsu and saw a serenity and peace there that he found himself envying. There was no turmoil within, only a calm assurance that no matter what happened, he was assured his place in heaven. Kenshin then considered his own life and realized that if Kami could give peace and assurance to Danjuro, then surely to give him that is not out of the realm of possibility.
Kenshin sighed and said, "Arigatou, Danjuro-san. I realize that Kami above can forgive anyone anything who truly repents in his heart."
"Hai, he is no respecter of persons," Danjuro agreed
Kenshin nodded as he turned to head toward the door. "I must not keep my bride waiting any longer, that I can't."
Danjuro nodded and followed. . . .
Inside the her room, a subdued Kaoru sat on a cushion numbly as Tae, Tamiko, Misao, and Megumi performed damage control on the bridal coiffure and makeup. They had cleansed the matted blood from the raven tresses and redid the hairstyle with the few remaining kanzashi that had not been lost during her abduction. Megumi reapplied rice paper and the lip balm to the bride who sat lost in her own little world. . .
Kenshin looked so strange and his voice was not my Kenshin but the Battousai just now. And the way he held me, so tight that I could barely breathe. What happened in that room with Hashimoto anyway? And why won't he talk to me? she said to herself, her face downcast.
"Kaoru, please. I have to put some more balm on your lips," Megumi requested as she artfully dabbed the color on the bride's down turned mouth as Tamiko and Misao finished their repairs. Then Tamiko brought out the tsuno kakuchi to drape on Kaoru's head.
"Here, Kaoru-chan. I rinsed off as much of the blood as I could." She adjusted the hood carefully on Kaoru's head and stood back as she and the others surveyed the fruits of their labor.
"You still look as lovely as before."
"Hai, indeed. You're a beautiful bride, Kaoru."
"Owaru!" Kaoru commanded. "This wedding will not take place!"
Tamiko and Megumi exchanged glances and then regarded the distraught bride in surprise. Megumi came forward and scoffed, "Don't be silly, tanuki. Of course you're getting married, you won't disappoint Ken-san."
Misao, who had been at the temple and had changed back to her miko kimono for the ceremony said sagely, "Kaoru has been in a terrible ordeal today and is just weary."
Kaoru shook her head as she said, "I-I don't know about this." But Tamiko who had gone through the process of pre-wedding jitters motioned to the other two to leave. They shrugged and headed out, leaving the two women alone.
Tamiko knelt beside Kaoru and said softly, "You're very fearful, Kaoru-chan and not as you were before, this time you seem terrified. Is what happened to you at the temple that which is frightening you so?"
Kaoru shook her head as she replied, "No, not that. I-it's Kenshin."
"Nani? He's your intended, what about him?"
Kaoru sighed as she answered, "H-he's not the same. The battle with Hashimoto was more involved than I thought and he's been distant, keeping himself from us, from me." She sighed as she added, "And he's been acting like Battousai, cold and remote."
Tamiko nodded, "I see. And it frightened you, to see Kenshin as the man feared by all."
Kaoru nodded as she said, "I saw him transform twice before. It was horrifying, he was like a different man, not my Kenshin."
Tamiko sat and digested this then after a moment spoke, "Kaoru-chan, didn't both you and Ken-san accept Iesu, his perfect love, and his promises in the Word?"
"Well, hai, but--,"
"Then there's no buts," Tamiko said firmly. "You should know then that perfect love casts out all fear and that Kami above brought you and Ken-san together. I knew it the day I first met you both."
Kaoru sat and listened as Tamiko went on, "The love that he has for you is so plain to see. Ken-san has such sadness in his eyes except when they rest on you. It is then in his eyes there is a glow like the summer sun, and it's not hard to see that you have been used by Kami to heal his wounded soul. I'm sure the torment of being the legendary Battousai has eaten at him for a long time."
"Ten years before he came and lived with me," Kaoru informed her.
Tamiko nodded as she said, "Ten years is a long time to wander about in darkness of spirit. But you brought out his light."
Kaoru nodded, biting her lip to hold back the tears pricking at her eyes. "I saw his light the first time I met him and even in his darkness I see a man who only wants to erase his sins."
Tamiko nodded as she stated, "And Iesu has erased those sins. But Kami used you to begin the healing and it is you that has the power to help him to overcome the darkness within."
Kaoru nodded as she remembered Megumi's words to her under the bridge in Kyoto after the long battle with Shishio:
"Only you Kaoru, have the ability to bring him back from the battlefield. Because it was only you that he said farewell to."
Kaoru nodded again as she leaned over and embraced Tamiko. "Arigatou, Tamiko-chan. You just said words I needed to hear again."
Tamiko smiled as there was a rap on the shoji. "Kaoru-chan, Ken-san is awaiting you," Dr. Gensai said amiably. "Let's go to him."
Tamiko said softly, "Go Kaoru, your future awaits."
Kaoru gracefully rose to her feet and slipped her arm in the kindly doctor's as he escorted her to her waiting groom. . . .
At the budusan, Danjuro knelt with Kenshin and Sanosuke opposite as the musician played the sokyoku that heralded the arrival of the bride as the three miko attendants entered from the hallway. Then Dr. Gensai guided the young woman who was like a daughter to him to the young man who had become like a son. As nakodo, Tae knelt to the side of the budusan between Danjuro and the men.
At the sight of his bride's arrival, Kenshin rose and met the two, accepting as Dr. Gensai presented Kaoru to him, placing her hand on his arm. He smiled lovingly at her as he escorted her to kneel beside him at the budusan, Danjuro kneeling before them as the miko attendants poured the ceremonial sake to Hiko, Aoshi, Okina, and the gathered Oniwabanshuu and Dr. Gensai, Megumi, and Yahiko. Then Misao took her place as maid of honor kneeling beside Kaoru as Danjuro raised his hand to silence the musician.
When the music stopped, Danjuro began, "Dear family and friends, you are welcomed as Himura Kenshin and Kamiya Kaoru join together to become one. To reflect their new faith in the Living Savior, Kenshin and Kaoru have chosen to be purified with a prayer so if you'll all bow your heads, I will say the invocation."
He began, "Oh gracious and heavenly Father, we come to you today to ask your bright blessing on Kenshin and Kaoru as they join as husband and wife. And as they take these vows freely and with their whole hearts, I ask that you honor this union and bless them in abundance as they begin their journey together. No doubt there will be as many tears as smiles but with Your loving hand to guide them, I'm sure they will endure. In Your precious and holy name we pray, amen."
Kenshin, Kaoru and the entire room said, "Amen."
Danjuro addressed the assembly again, "And now Kenshin and Kaoru have written their oaths of obedience to each other and they will be read by the nakodo, Tae-san. Kenshin and Kaoru, please join hands." The couple linked their hands as they waited.
Tae cleared her throat and took the two pieces of parchment that had the vows that each had written. She began with Kenshin's:
"Kaoru, you have opened your heart and your home to me, a rurouni with nothing, just bloody hands and a past that was filled with death. You told me the day we met that did not matter and those words filled my heart with joy. Because of you I now have something I never thought I would ever have again, a place to call home, with love and laughter that restored my soul. Even when I left to protect you from the dangers of my past, you followed me and joined in my battles by my side. And now you'll be by my side for the rest of my life, as my wife. Aishiteru. I promise to protect and love you, to be faithful, obedient, and place you above all others until the day I die."
Kaoru gazed at Kenshin adoringly as Tae continued with Kaoru's vows to him:
"Kenshin, before I met you, I was all alone. I had no family, my parents had died and although I had friends, it was not the same. At night I was still alone and had only the dojo and a few students during the day. But you changed all that when you came along, starting with rescuing me from Gohei and you been rescuing me ever since. But more than rescuing me physically, you've rescued me in other ways, like rescuing my heart from loneliness. I promise to love and cherish you, to be obedient and faithful, support you and if Kami so wills, to bear and raise your children. Aishiteru."
Kenshin squeezed Kaoru's hand as Danjuro continued:
"We will now have the exchange of drinks to unify both families and the bride and groom shall also exchange drinks to unite them." Everyone lifted their cups and sipped as they joined together as one family.
After that was completed, Danjuro spoke again, "Now Kenshin and Kaoru will offer worship to Kami by kneeling before the Cross, the tree that Iesu hung on to grant us salvation." He gestured to an erected wooden cross that was to the right of the budusan as Kenshin rose and assisted Kaoru to her feet. They stepped over to the cross and bearing sakaki, laid the twigs down at the foot of the cross as they bowed their heads and worshiped in silence. After a several minutes both rose and headed back to kneel before the budusan.
Danjuro annonuced, "Now Kenshin and Kaoru have chosen two passages from the Bible and two poems to read to each other to finalize their vows." He handed the both volumes to the groom.
Kenshin took the book and opened to the marked page and began to read from Ephesians 5:25,33—
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for her. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
He then read the poem that had been etched in his heart:
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!
He then handed the books to Kaoru who flipped the pages and came to the passage she had chosen and she read first from Matthew 19:5:
Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
Then she blushed as she read the poem from Elizabeth Barrett Browning she had read to Kenshin that night in the parlor:
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, -I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! - and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
She closed the books and put them aside in the hushed room, everyone struck silent, touched by the love expressed so eloquently by the couple to each other. Kenshin was moved so that he felt tears pricking at his eyes, slightly blurring his vision. They grasped hands and locked gazes.
Danjuro smiled and spoke again, "And now I will pronounce them man and wife with the words from the Bible, Matthew 19:6:
Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
He rose and so did the newlywed couple and so smiling, Danjuro said, "Kenshin, you may kiss your bride."
Kenshin gently cupped Kaoru's face in his hands, reverently as if it were the most precious of jewels and slowly drew her petal soft lips to his, sealing his vows with the most tender of kisses. She snaked her arms about his torso and opened up to him like the first flowering bud of spring responding to her husband's display of his commitment to her.
Gradually they drew apart and the room was filled with pleased murmurs as the music began and Himura Kenshin led his bride, Himura Kaoru to the practice hall where the reception would be, followed by all their families, friends and guests.
NEXT----EPILOGUE---WISHES REQUITED