Disclaimer: *a small sign pokes up through the fluff with 'RK and PB aren't mine' written on it*
Author's note: *voice can be heard faintly through a straw poking out of the miles of fluff* Hello? It's me! I'm kind of trapped down here for now, I went a little over the top, shall we say, with the fluff… But I'm sure you won't mind too much! I'll get out of here in time to write the next chapter, don't worry! *someone helpfully chucks her computer into the mass of fluff, and it vanishes instantly in the sea of the stuff* Oh, cheers! *typing sounds can be heard* See you all in five days then!
The Princess Bride: Kenshin Style Eight
What can I say? How do I start? Is there anything to say, or is it already too late?
Kenshin worried and worried as he ran after Kaoru. He'd resolutely put aside what Misao had told him, for now, just until he could try and get things straightened out with Kaoru. There was no way he could deal with such bad news and think of how to explain to Kaoru at the same time.
Kaoru, please understand whatever I end up saying… I hope that just by looking into your beautiful face, I'll think of the right words and you'll see how much I love you… Kenshin dwelt for a moment on the perfection of his young love's face, the sparkle of her eyes and the silkiness of her skin. His eyes softened as he ran on through the dull grey air-
THUNK.
"ORO!!"
Kenshin sat up a moment later rubbing his head. He was thinking that he'd been hit and knocked over far, far too many times that day when he was hit again. This time a voice accompanied the blow.
"HOW- COULD- YOU!" Each word was accentuated with another strike.
Kenshin was starting to feel pretty bruised.
He shielded his face. "Please, let me explain!" Kaoru ignored him, choosing to hit him again instead. "OW! Stop hitting me! Leave it, just a second! Ow! Just a second, please!" He gritted his teeth, clenched his fists and yelled. "Stop stop STOP!!"
He caught Kaoru's bokken in his hand at the next swing. She held on firmly, glaring at him over the piece of wood. Her bright blue eyes were practically shooting sparks at him. She looked about ready to explode, whether with anger or hurt Kenshin had no idea.
"Stop this. Listen. This isn't going to be solved with fighting. I understand that you're upset but-"
"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND AT ALL!"
Fast as lightning, she let go of the weapon and slapped him across the face. Hard.
"Oro!"
"I'm not upset. I'm not upset at all- I'm angry! I'm angry that you could be so immodest in your behaviour, that you could get involved in a situation without thinking of the consequences, that- that-" She looked as if she would fly apart at any moment. She felt as if her skin was the only thing holding her together. That you didn't think of how I'd feel… Kaoru couldn't seem to bring herself to say that out loud.
Kenshin was about to prompt her to finish her sentence, when she went to hit him again. Evidently she didn't know how to put into words what she was thinking, he surmised wryly.
He caught her wrist. And then the other one. He was at a loss to catch the kick she sent into his shin. And then the other one.
"Ow! OW!"
"You deserve to be punished for how you acted!"
She went to kick him again, but he outsmarted her by suddenly grabbing her arms and taking her to the ground with him. Déjà vu… he thought. But this version suited him much better. Here, holding Kaoru (if a little more firmly than tenderly) in the long, wet grass, all alone… He repressed a grin.
"ORO!"
She was strong- stronger even than Hawk-eyes. As they each fought for control of the other, the whole thing descended into a tousling match, both of them fighting tooth and nail in the long grass, getting a trifle muddy and more than a trifle wet and generally unkempt-looking.
Finally, both of them tired and unable to win, they fell apart and collapsed back onto the ground, panting and bruised. When they looked up, they saw that it had started raining more heavily. They were already pretty wet.
Kenshin sat up, jerking his kimono straight with a shrug of his shoulder. "This isn't solving anything. You have to let me explain, please." He looked at her. His eyes were flooded with that curious bright colour of theirs. Like clouds lit with lightning in a storm… It was enough to set her off again.
"You still don't get it, though! You didn't think at all, did you? I'm not upset, okay? If I were upset, it would mean… Damn you!" She sat up and punched him in the stomach, then pulled his damp hair and tweaked his nose sharply, leaving him bleeding and unconscious on the ground. At least that was the plan.
Before her punch could even connect, he had caught her fist in his hand, gently. Her eyes widened in surprise. She glanced up at his face- the face she loved so well- taking in the dripping, shining red hair, the glistening skin, the sparkling, bottomless violet eyes, the tempting mouth, and had to look away in an instant. She couldn't bear it: he was too beautiful.
The grey clouds sheltered the pair in their own little world, sending cool rain down on them. Their colours stood out brightly in the dull day, their shapes out of focus in the haze the shower created. In the claming sound of the falling rain, time seemed to have come to a halt. It was as if the day had been placed into a snow globe, little perfect figures preserved inside. The moment held, as Kaoru felt everything inside her come flooding up to the surface.
Before she knew it, it was all spilling out, her voice crying urgently over the sound of the rain.
"What I mean is, if I were upset, it would mean I cared, and I can't care, because that would mean I care about you, and I didn't want to say that was true, but oh, it is true, it's so true, I care so much, I've cared for ages, I really have, but you never knew because somehow I just couldn't tell you. And it's been so hard, every time I see you my knees go all strange and I feel like my heart might stop beating, because you are just so beautiful and I love you so much- I never said that to you before, did I? I love you. I love you! I love you so much and so deeply, I want to be by your side forever, and look into your eyes for the rest of my life, because they are so perfect: like clouds lit with lightning in a storm… But oh, I thought I loved you so much at first, but I loved you so much more within a day than at that first moment, that it could never compare, and now I love you even so much more than then that a thousand times a thousand doesn't measure it, and I can't imagine loving you even more but I do every moment you are here next to me, Kenshin… I never called you that, did I? Kenshin, Kenshin, dear, sweet, perfect Kenshin, all my love is yours, now and forever."
And at precisely that moment, Kaoru did the bravest thing she had ever done. She looked up, and gazed straight into his eyes.
He stood up and walked away.
Kaoru watched the love of her life walk away from her. His back was already retreating into the tree-shielded path that led home. He wasn't running: merely striding purposefully away from her love for him. She couldn't quite register it.
She didn't move. She didn't cry out, or run after him, or even stand up. She merely knelt there, in the wet grass, blinking slowly with wide eyes. The rain was still falling all around her, and her dark hair was dripping and heavy, her face glowing strangely in the drab light… her eyes bright and completely empty.
She breathed in.
And breathed out.
A hot tear coursed down her already wet face, losing its warmth in the cold rain there.
She still couldn't move.
He hadn't even said a word. Not a single word.
Why didn't he say anything? After I finally spilled it all out and told him exactly how I felt (she blushed a little with embarrassment) he just walked away? Why? I know it means he doesn't care about me the same way, but to just walk away without saying anything! He could at least have said, 'I'm sorry, I don't see you that way,' or 'I don't feel good enough for you' or something like that! But he'd be wrong anyway: he's more than good enough for me, he's too good for me, I don't deserve him as it is, but I can't help it if I love him!
I… I love him…
Kaoru's body suddenly loosed its strange hold. She folded in on herself, bringing clenched hands up to her face, which was already creased with anger and pain, and let her head drop, her hair falling down in front of her eyes.
She sobbed suddenly, once.
Why didn't he say anything?
Kaoru let more tears fall, sliding down her cheeks and dripping from her chin and the end of her nose. She didn't even notice how cold and wet she was.
She couldn't bear it.
"KENSHIN!" she cried out to the world, the name ripping out of her uncontrollably, her loneliness and love screaming to be noticed and cared for. Another sob jarred her body.
A hand smoothed her tangled, wet hair from her face. She opened her eyes.
"Why are you here?" she asked simply, in a strangely calm voice.
"Well… I heard you call me." He held her cheek in his hand, and gently wiped away a smudge of mud from her face with his thumb.
He sounded as if that wasn't the actual reason. Kaoru tried not to think about the warm place where his hand touched her cheek.
"You were mistaken, I wasn't calling you. I was just yelling, no reason. No reason at all. And I hope you aren't upset about what I said before- you know, I didn't mean it. I was only joking. Your face when I said 'I love you'… Oh, it was funny. Very… Very funny," she finished, her face the picture of woe. He let his hand slip down to her chin, and leave her face.
"I have to go."
"What? Oh, you're going back to the house. Okay."
"No, I have to go away. I came back to say goodbye."
Kaoru willed herself not to burst into tears. She hoped her face wasn't already red and puffy with them. He was leaving: because of her. She would never see him again, and it was all her own fault.
"Going? Away? Where- why?"
"I can't tell you exactly where. But I can tell you I'm heading north, towards Kyoto. I'll write to you to let you know I get there safely. I have to go, because there are some things I need to sort out, and some ends that I need to tie up. I have to make sure everything is finished, for you."
"For… me?" Kaoru gazed earnestly into Kenshin's face.
He offered her his hand, and she dazedly took it. They stood up.
"Yes, for you! It's always been for you, Kaoru."
"Always? What do you mean?" We'll forgive Kaoru for being so out of it: we'll bear in mind that she's been building up to this for a long time now, and that she's had a lot to cope with in the recent weeks, and also, and not least, that she's probably developing a slight fever from standing in the rain for so long. Anyway: "What do you mean, Kenshin?"
"I mean that I love you."
Kaoru couldn't quite believe it.
"You love me?"
Kenshin felt like smiling at the look on her face. Her eyes were wide and innocent as a child's. She was amazing: so naïve, and so knowing at the same time. Her reaction at this moment was positively endearing. She seemed to be unable to do anything but echo what he said. He tried again.
"I love you. I've loved you for so long- for ages, but you didn't see it. You weren't listening, Kaoru: every time I said 'As you wish', what I was really saying was 'I love you' but you didn't hear, and you didn't hear… So listen now. I love you. Understand? I love you! Still not sure? I el-oh-vee-e why-oh-you! Louder? I LOVE YOU!"
He grabbed her hands impulsively, a grin beginning to spread across his face. Kaoru felt herself starting to understand. It was just too perfect.
"You love me?"
"Of course. How could anyone not love you?" he said gently, a note of sweetness in his voice that made Kaoru's heart swell, almost bringing tears to her eyes. He stepped closer, and gazed intensely into her azure eyes. "I've loved you since the first moment I saw you. And I'll always love you."
Kaoru felt the last vestiges of worry creasing her brow clear from her face. A smile touched her lips tentatively. Without even realising it, she brought up a hand to touch that beloved face. He leaned his cheek into her touch and closed his eyes, a sweet smile on his face. She still couldn't believe how beautiful he was.
"Kaoru…"
His eyes opened, and he lifted a hand to stroke her cheek with the back of his fingers. She trembled slightly. His eyes smiled at her as he felt it, and he drew her close.
It was amazing- better than any dream. It was extraordinary that she loved him, and he couldn't stop his heart filling to bursting in his chest. Here she was, in his arms at last. Her dark head was tucked under his chin; he could feel her breathing in and out with her pressed to him this way. He felt her delicate hands steal up his body, one clasping his back gently, the other travelling up to rest on the back of his neck. He felt a little shiver run through him as her fingers stroked his hair slightly.
"Kenshin." He pulled away enough to look down into her face. She looked so happy, and it made her look even more beautiful. He was drawn to her, drawn into those shining eyes, drawn towards those perfect lips…
Kaoru smiled up at him. His eyes lost the cheery edge of their smile, instead glowing with a softness that touched her somewhere deep inside. He moved towards her. She gave herself up entirely to the moment as they came nearer, their embrace became closer and they brought their lips slowly together. She let her eyes close to the outside world.
Kenshin touched Kaoru's lips gently in a soft kiss. As he went to pull away, unsure of what she'd think, he was surprised by another, surer touch from her as she leaned forwards to capture his lips with her own. The kiss grew deeper and more intimate as the rain fell yet heavier around them, but neither of them could have noticed or cared.
Kaoru's lips were so sweet, so pliant for a girl with such a sharp and bossy tongue. Yet she yielded to him so readily… She melted into his embrace so sweetly that it made Kenshin ache to kiss her yet more passionately…
Kenshin's kiss was unlike anything Kaoru had ever known. As he parted her lips with a soft touch of his tongue, she felt a tingle rush over her. Her knees felt weak again, but Kenshin just held her closer. The love between them just kept growing ever greater, ever stronger and ever more true as they touched.
In all of history, there have been five great kisses. The most widely accepted measurement of greatness is determined by the equation of purity, times intensity, times duration, times affection, and though it has not yet been determined which of the areas deserves more importance, there have only been five kisses that have been given full marks.
This kiss left them all behind.
"Kaoru…"
"Hmm?"
"I have to go now."
She held him tighter. "Please, no, Kenshin. Don't go. Don't leave me alone."
He stroked her hair comfortingly. "I have to go. But you won't be alone, not anymore. As long as we love each other, we can never be alone."
"But what if something happens? What if you can't come back? I'll be alone forever."
"Kaoru." He gently tilted her chin up with a finger and looked at her. Her bright blue gaze was genuinely troubled. His violet eyes were soothing and full of love. "Listen. This is true love: that's the most rare and most precious thing there is. So, no matter what, I will return. I will come back for you. I promise."
He sealed the vow with a soft kiss.
A young girl stood sheltered under a tree near the house. She ran her hands through her damp black hair and shook her head with a strange grin.
Misao didn't know whether to laugh or be annoyed. He'd come rushing back panting and saying, "Add on twenty minutes, I'll need twenty minutes longer!"
"Er, sure, I guess… But hurry it up, okay!"
"Yep, sure, be back soon!" he yelled over his shoulder.
Misao shook her head with a smile. "I take it you sorted it out with her, then… That kind of goodbye deserves more than twenty minutes…" She giggled, and waited twenty extra minutes.
Author's note: *a voice comes out of the little plastic straw again* Okay, some people will probably be wanting a bucket after that, so if that's you, I stacked some up in the corner ready- over there. *straw jerks in the direction of the buckets* Well, anyway, I hope most of you liked it. A lot of you have been asking for fluff, so… *a sheepish chuckle can be heard*
Well, leave your thoughts, you know you want to! Besides, reading them will give me something to do while I'm trapped under here…
Erm, anyone got a sandwich? I'm kinda hungry down here, and I can't find the fridge… *_*
Notes to reviewers:
Emma: Ha, you know you love it! Grind your teeth all you like, and reload that crossbow, you don't scare me! *discreetly dons a helmet*
Demon Neko-Chan: It's not TOO long, though, is it? I can't go any faster! *types so fast the keyboard starts smoking* ^_^
Coherentidiot: Ouch! *jumps away from threat of another spank* Okay, I know, I was cruel! But I made up for it with this chapter, didn't I? You asked for fluff! *glomp* Thanks for another happyfying review. ^_^
Califpinay3001: ^_^ *laughs*
Girl: Ah, yes, Hiko surely can't die easily, can he? And that hour just flies by when Kaoru has a weapon *grin* But it was long enough, especially with those extra twenty minutes ^_^
Papaya: *gapes in pure awe at wondrous and truly towering response and hands over a whopping point for wonderful word* That's truly the word of the century! And I did try to dislike Kenshin, managed for two seconds by thinking of him as a scary Battousai, made the mistake of zooming into his *drool* GORGEOUS face and lost it. You're right: t'ain't possible. He's too great a character. And doesn't Kaoru know it…! *naughty grin* As for Humperdink… many ask, many have to wait for the answer. *evil smile* Again, the power of the writer RULES ALL! MWAHAHA! *calms down* No, I'm NOT going to be evil anymore… *shuffles off into the recesses of the fluff muttering 'won't be evil, won't be evil, won't be evil…'*
Kyaa-Kyaff: And not just talk… *wink* I love Misao too, in all honesty I was absolutely itching to get her involved. And it's fun to have it so that she and Kenshin are already friends- they make such an interesting friendship coupling! And don't worry too much about Hiko. Who knows, but I'll do him justice *vow of Akari* ^_^
Tevrah: They made up! *throws confetti in the air* Thanks for the review, hope you liked the 'making up' chapter!
TenkunoMeiou: Thanks!! Here is more: and lots of fluffy romance for our poor angst-ridden couple. ^_^ I love it when everyone in a story is all cutesy and happy, just for a while! *happy dance*
MegumiFuu: *hands Hiko a shield and hands MegumiFuu a hanky* Don't worry, it'll all be okay in the end. ^_^ Here is more, anyway: I hope you like it!
Kikiki: I MET THE FIVE DAY SCHEDULE! *runs away* Don't kill me!! And I'll be sure to avoid putting in another cliffhanger for a while if I can… But wait, I love them! *evil* I'll hide in a bunker when I use them, tho. ^_^
I won't tell (I won't ask! ^_^): Yes, Kaoru had to accept him, they're made for each other after all! *soppy grin* They're so cute together!!
Tala: Thank you very much! Here is the next chapter, I hope you liked it!
Celtic Oak: Hello! Yes, that was blatantly one of the best lines in the film, I had this demonically happy grin on my face when it occurred to me to use it there! Humperdink is on the way…
Iluvweaselsnferrets: Misao isn't playing anyone from PB, she's there as part of the RK side of things, and plus she's simply too cool to not include! I'm pretty much decided on who is who now, but you'll have to wait and see for the results ^_^
Lady E: Shocking! *gasp* Well, I guess if you get a writer's block or if things get on top of you at school or whatever, time can just slip by like that… I'll do my best to keep to the five day schedule tho, as promised. *scout's honour* ^_^
CrazieAnimeGrl: Thanks! Hope you liked this chapter too! ^_^
TwinBakaNekos: There'll be more in five days- but I hope this chapter tides you over well enough. Full enough of fluff to drown in, that's fer sure *whacks the oncoming tide of fluff with a stick* Gah! I've created a monster!
D45: Hi! Thanks so much! *joins the happy dance with glee* And here is lots of sap for you. I hope you liked it! Hm, to be honest I'm not so gifted in the comedy sector of things, but I'll be trying! I'm focusing on the fluff (didn't you notice? *grin*) and the adventures of my cast… In my story, I imagine Kenshin as being about an inch, or just less, taller than Kaoru: I have this innate need for being able to say 'He looked down into her face/eyes', or up if it's the girl… Don't know why, just do! Ah, they are so cute together as a couple tho. Count five til next time! ^_^
Jellybob 15: *Akari can be found in a small and rather euu-y puddle of drool on the floor* yes, Kenshin is so gorgeous and tanned and strong and noble and lovely… *spaced-out smile* ahhhhh… She cannot resist, you're right, after all he is indeed Kenshin! *drool*
dunkmoon X: Not at all, glad to hear from you in any terms! Here is the next chapter then, hope you liked it! ^_^
Vash-chan AKA Makoto Almasy: But his day got very suddenly much MUCH better! *giggle* I was going for the 'hit and dizzy' look, glad to hear you could picture it too! ^_^ and Kenshin's adorable 'oro!'s aren't to be missed out, they're too funny and characteristic of him. ^_^
Dark Moon Goddess: Glad you like fluff, I hope that means you liked this chapter! I was very glad to get rid of that nasty woman, too. *hiss* ^_^
blue jeans: I love building up suspense, it makes things fun ^_^ Thanks muchly, I hope you liked this chapter too! It'll be another five days for the next one.
Inuyasha fan: I elongated my beginning to get a strong foundation and more K/K ^_^ I'll be altering things here and there like that all the way through, so be prepared! But the PB is still the strong foundation of this story.
Mistress of time: Thank you! It will be updated every five days as promised, hope that isn't too long! I was gonna go with a week, cos it's a nice round number type thing, but then I thought, that's too long! So five days it is. Keeps things moving, I think. ^_^
Redhead Samurai: Thanks muchly! More happiness with this chapter: happiness for Kaoru and Kenshin, at last they have sorted it all out! Hurrah! ^_^ I love getting couples together… ^_^
Mary: But don't be upset, this chapter was much happier! *offers a hanky* Hope you are happier now!
silver_iris: You'll have to wait and see about Hiko I'm afraid! But at least Kenshin is happy regarding Kaoru at least: finally! Hope you liked it. I confess I loved writing such a fluffy chapter after everything that's gone wrong for my poor cast so far. ^_^
Thank you all for your support and comments! Leave more for me, please, it makes me very happy!
Well, see y'all in five days, my lovelies! *happy dance beneath the sea of fluff, evident only as a slight stirring of the surface fluff*