Review Comments: Ji-chan, I like the away message. Pretty nifty. I can't wait to hear the song. I never realized that there were so many songs with that name. And you don't have to worry about not having any weird things to say in your reviews because this is the last chapter. Hmmm. That's really depressing when you think about it, but I do have my other story that I need to work on. And speaking of other stories, when are you going to update Chisa? I really like that story. Hee hee! And, I'm sure that you'll find something weird to say in the review by the time this chapter is finished. I mean, we see each other all the time! Arigatou for reviewing! "Indy! Indy! Get back here, Indy!" Dai-chan, you're a henjin. A total henjin. As I said before, you shouldn't be allowed to walk on the streets with normal people. laughs I'm glad that you liked the whole Kaoru/Kenshin singing thing. Now I have three new reviewers. I guess complaining got me something, huh? (I'm such a brat!) Arigatou for reviewing! See you later! (We need to find a day to go to the beach still!) Flaming-amber, arigatou for reviewing me! Do you know the lyrics to Sakura, Sakura? I mean, I looked on the Internet for almost an hour trying to find the lyrics. Stupid Internet. Oh well. I'm glad that you like the singing part. It was fun to write. And I might as well make Kaoru talented in more than just Kamiya Kasshin Ryu, right? And thanks for the encouragement about the reviewers. I hope that you'll come and read my new story that I'm writing on ! I still have the same screen name! Abane! Kithana, domo arigatou for reviewing. I don't think I deserve that much praise from my story. blushes I'm very happy that you like it though. I love Ken-chan too! I would marry him if I could. My friend made me a cute book for my 16th birthday this year, and I fight Kaoru for Ken-chan and I win. I get to marry him! giggles And it's my pleasure to write for other people to enjoy. As I said to Flaming-amber, I hope that you will review me on my original story that I'm writing! Abane! Mamori, I almost forgot to thank you since you were a late reviewer! I'm so glad that you like my story so much. I really don't deserve all the praise that you give me! I like thanking my reviewers because they took the time to actually read my chapters, even if they are crap! x I'm glad that you liked my plots! Arigatou for reviewing and please come back for my other stories!
NOTE: This is so sad and depressing. This is my last chapter of True Feelings. cries That's so disappointing. I've been writing this story for so long! Almost a year. My friends Dai-chan and Ji-chan already have two stories. Well, Ji-chan had been working on fan fiction longer than Dai-chan and me. But, yeah. Dai-chan is on chapter 4 of her Trigun fanfic, and Ji-chan just finished her Kyou/Kazuma father/son fic. I feel so slow. That's just because I write mine in a notebook. And I hit notebook 4 when I started writing this chapter! AHHHHH!!!! That's scary. Abane!
Disclaimer: My attempts to own Kenshin and Co. have failed miserably. I don't own the Kenshin Gumi. I do own Fumeiyo and Fujitaka, who are the only ones that are alive since the other four are dead and buried. Ouch, that sounds so unsympathetic.
BIG AUTHORS NOTE: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS MAJOR, MAJOR SPOILERS ABOUT KENSHIN'S PAST. IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN SAMURAI X: TRUST AND BETRYAL, DON'T READ THAT PART. IF YOU DON'T MIND SPOILERS, THEN YOU CAN READ IT. IT'S NEAR THE END OF THE CHAPTER. I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT I PERSONALLY HAVE NEVER SEEN TRUST AND BETRYAL, BUT I HAVE READ COUNTLESS SUMMERIES SO I COULD PUT KENSHIN'S PAST INTO THIS STORY. JUST THOUGHT YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW! x
Chapter 15- Awakened Secrets
A few weeks later, Kaoru brought Yahiko with her to Tsuyoi and Mayonaka's house. Yahiko had stayed in the study the whole time, looking at all the things in there. He had a proud smile on his face when Kaoru called him into the entrance.
"Guess what I found, Kaoru," he said.
"Nani?" she replied.
He held up a piece of crinkled parchment. "The deed to the house! I bet we could give this to Fumeiyo and Fujitaka. They can have their own place."
Kaoru hugged Yahiko. "You're a lot smarter than I give you credit for," she told him.
Yahiko scowled at her. "I think I should the day off for finding this," he said, waving the paper in Kaoru's face.
"Well, isn't someone greedy," she said. "Why do you need a day off?"
Yahiko froze. "Ano, because you need the day off. Wouldn't you like to go to the market and buy yourself something nice?"
Kaoru's eyes narrowed. "Nice try. Why do you want a day off?"
Yahiko sighed. "Because, I'm dead from the work out you've been giving for three weeks. Ever since that night," he said, referring to when he had the nightmare.
The nightmare had come every night for two weeks. Kaoru figures if she worked him hard enough, he'd have a dreamless sleep. It had only started working.
"Yahiko. Do you know why I give you such a hard work out everyday?" The boy shook his head. "To prevent you from having that nightmare."
Yahiko stared at Kaoru. "Are you serious!?" he asked. She nodded. "Why?"
"So you don't have to hurt," she said, her eyes filled with sympathy. "You're too young to have to experience the pain of being helpless."
"Too late," Yahiko muttered. "I couldn't protect you. Not once."
"There's where you're wrong," she chided him. "Think back when you first met Tsubame. Don't tell me that was nothing."
Yahiko blushed. "No," he admitted. "I felt proud doing that because I was able to save her."
"That's right. You can't save everyone."
He snorted. "I think you need to talk like this to Kenshin. It might do him some good."
Kaoru blushed this time. She spun on her heel and marched towards the door. "Let's go."
On the way back to the dojo, Kaoru thought about what Yahiko had said. If she said something like this to Kenshin, would it get him to tell her his past? The promise of telling her something important was still there, and the taunt from Fumeiyo about her being too immature to hear Kenshin's past came back in a rush. It did every day. Though it was almost a month since that night, it was still fresh in her mind.
When they were on the path by the creek leading to the dojo, Kaoru stopped. Yahiko looked at her. "Are you coming, Kaoru?"
"I'll be there in a few minutes. I need to think," she told him. She gave him Tsuyoi's shinai and instructed him to place it in her room.
She stood by the creek, watching the water run between the rocks. It was in this exact spot when Kenshin had hugged her and told her good-bye before leaving for Kyoto. It was late spring and all the fireflies had been out. Kaoru closed her eyes, remembering their greenish-yellow glow and how pretty they looked. She heard footsteps behind her. She was less paranoid about people being behind her now. She turned, hoping that it was Kenshin. Instead of red hair and purple eyes, she saw black hair and hazel eyes.
"Oh. Konnichiwa, Fumeiyo."
Fumeiyo gave her a short wave. "You sound disappointed. Were you hoping that it was someone else, perhaps?" Kaoru started to protest. "You were hoping that it was Ba-Kenshin, right?"
Kaoru stared at him. "You called him Kenshin," she said in wonder. "You stopped referring to him as Battousai."
Fumeiyo shrugged. "Well, I figured since I can't win your affections, I might as well stop calling my rival Battousai."
Kaoru ran to him and hugged him. "Arigatou. It makes me so happy to hear you call him Kenshin!"
"Yeah. No problem. So, you were waiting for Kenshin?"
Kaoru hung her head. "I was half-hoping that it would be Kenshin," she admitted. "But, to tell you the truth, I wasn't waiting, just remembering."
"Really? About what?"
"This place holds so memories and emotions. Every May 14, I come here. I don't know why since they're not good memories."
Fumeiyo looked at her, waiting patiently.
"This is where Kenshin said good-bye to me, when he left for Kyoto. It hurt so much to watch his back disappear into the darkness. I prayed that it was a bad dream, but you don't hurt that badly in bad dreams."
Fumeiyo smiled at her. "But he came back. That's the important thing."
"Yeah."
Fumeiyo stretched. "Ah. Well, I'm going back in to help Kenshin make dinner. Coming?"
"In a minute," Kaoru said.
"Alright, ja ne."
Kaoru nodded and stared at the water. Her thoughts drifted to that night three weeks ago. Kenshin said that he needed to tell her something and she assumed that it was important because the tone of his voice. The emotion that was in his eyes also had caught her attention. It was the same emotion that had been in his eyes the day she had been kidnapped. She thought she had recognized it, but now she wasn't sure.
"Kaoru-dono?! Kaoru-dono? Are you out here?"
Kaoru's head rose to see Kenshin emerging from the trees.
"I'm right here, Kenshin!" she called.
"Oh, good," he said, looking relieved. "Fumeiyo said that you were here, so I came to see if you were okay."
"I'm fine. I was just remembering the past," she told him.
"Ah, the past," Kenshin said, smiling. "This particular spot holds good and bad memories for me. This is where I said good-bye to you, but this is also where you welcomed me back home after Kyoto."
"You're right!" Kaoru exclaimed. "I hadn't noticed that. It's ironic, don't you think?"
"Hai, I guess it is," he smiled at Kaoru. "Ready to go back to the dojo? Yahiko is hiding in his room, hoping that you won't make him practice before dinner"
"Oh, really?" she asked evilly. "Well, I think I'm in the mood to practice now."
Uh oh, Kenshin thought. Yahiko is going to kill me.
When they got back to the dojo, Kaoru went into her room and changed into her practice clothes. She saw Kenshin hiding at the end of the hallway, watching her with amusement. She gave him thumbs up and, then barged into Yahiko's room.
"Let's go! We're going to practice before dinner!"
"Nani! You've gotta be kidding me!" Yahiko cried.
"Nope. And thanks to Kenshin, I didn't have to go looking for you."
Kaoru emerged from the boy's room, pulling Yahiko by the collar of his shirt. Yahiko saw Kenshin hiding at the end of the hallway and started struggling.
"You said that you wouldn't tell!" he howled. "You promised that you wouldn't tell Busu where I was!"
Kenshin smiled guiltily. "Gomen ne, Yahiko. But you have to practice."
"I hate you!" he yelled. "I'll get you, Kenshin! I'll get you!"
Kenshin smiled as he heard Yahiko's cried fade away. He walked happily into kitchen, nodded to Fumeiyo, and started cutting up vegetables. He whistled contentedly as he started to slice an eggplant into cubes.
"You're in a good mood today," Fumeiyo commented while he seasoned the fish. "Any particular reason?"
"It's nice to watch those two go at it again," Kenshin said.
"Oh, the dynamic duo," Fumeiyo laughed. "And you lived with this for two years!"
"Yep!" Kenshin said proudly.
"Kaoru sure has a motley crew at the dojo. A former hitokiri turned rurouni, a former pickpocket, a fight merchant, a doctor, and now Fujitaka and me, former yukuza ninjas! Her kindness ceases to amaze me," Fumeiyo said.
"That's very true. The first time I met Kaoru-dono, she attacked me. It was rather interesting."
"Well, I don't think that surprises me."
"Really?" Kenshin asked. "Why not?"
"If anything or anyone threatened an innocent person, I'm sure Kaoru would be the first to jump in and help," Fumeiyo said matter-of-factly.
"I guess that's true, but when that happened, the dojo was being framed and I was an unfamiliar person in town carrying a sword. I guess you can say she persuaded me to stay. Curiosity of a female dojo sensei."
Fumeiyo raised an eyebrow at Kenshin. "Are you sure that it was curiosity and not something else?" he asked craftily.
Kenshin's smile disappeared. "No. It was curiosity," he lied. "But I've come to love it here. I'm comfortable here."
"Sure," Fumeiyo said, turning back to the fish. "Say what you want."
Kenshin glared at his back. "What is that supposed to mean?" he demanded.
"Don't play the idiot."
"I'm not!" Kenshin snapped huffily.
"Uh huh. Fine. If you're not playing the idiot, why haven't you told Kaoru that you love her yet?"
Kenshin's eyes widened. "How does everyone know!? Am I that obvious!?"
Fumeiyo nodded. "Yep. To everyone but the person you love."
Someone clearing their throat made both men jump. Megumi stood there, grinning, not bothering to hide her wide smile.
"Having fun?" she asked. "I didn't mean to interrupt, but, Ken-san, where's Kaoru?"
"I'm glad you're enjoying this," Kenshin told her sourly.
"Oh, very much," she tittered.
"Kaoru-dono is in the practice room with Yahiko," he said, scowl deepening.
"Arigatou," Megumi said. "Oh. And I agree with Fumeiyo. Tell Kaoru already. I actually believe that it would be the best medicine for her." She waved and disappeared.
"See," Fumeiyo said.
Kenshin ignored him as he finished chopping the eggplant. Maybe Megumi-san is right, he thought. Maybe the best thing for Kaoru-dono is to tell her my feelings and past. It would show her that someone loves her as a woman.
Tomorrow, he decided. I'll tell her tomorrow. Sano with be with Megumi-san, I'll see if I can get Fumeiyo and Fujitaka out of the dojo, and Yahiko will be at the Akabeko with Tae-san and Tsubame-chan. That'll be perfect. Kenshin smiled. Just the two of us tomorrow night. I'll make her favorite food. She'll never forget this night!
"Kaoru!" Megumi said when she walked into the practice room. "Time for you checkup!"
"Okay, Megumi-san!" she panted. She looked at Yahiko. "Beat it, brat. Take a quick bath before dinner. You'd better be out of it by the time I get there. Okay?"
"Whatever," Yahiko said exhaustedly and trudged out of the practice room and to the kitchen.
"Kenshin," he croaked. "If I had the energy, I'd kill you."
Back in the practice room, Megumi had laid the articles in her medical bag on the floor. She had Kaoru get a futon and close the door. She instructed Kaoru to undress.
"Your cuts have healed very nicely," Megumi commented. "You have very few scars."
"It's that stuff you gave me. It helped a lot," Kaoru told her.
"That's the same thing I gave you to give Ken-san when he was in Kyoto," she informed Kaoru. "My specialty."
"Oh."
Megumi flipped her hair over her shoulder. "You can get dressed now." While Kaoru got dressed, Megumi asked her some questions.
"Have you had your monthly bleeding yet?"
"No," Kaoru said. "I'm supposed to have it next week. Why?"
Megumi shifted slightly, surprised at the girl's naivety. "Because if you're a end up not having it, you might be pregnant."
Kaoru's face fell. "Oh," she said shakily. "I'm hoping that it'll come for once. I forgot about that"
"I don't blame you," Megumi said sympathetically. "I'd want to forget, too."
Kaoru forced herself to smile again. "I'm confident that I'll get my monthly bleeding. I've been having my usual mood swings before my bleeding," she told Megumi as she tied her pants.
I hope so, Kaoru, Megumi thought worriedly.
"Well, I'm done examining you. Do you need anything? Are you almost out of salve, because I have a jar with me?"
"Hai. I don't have much left."
Megumi handed Kaoru a jar and started packing her materials.
"Megumi-san, would you like to stay for dinner?" Kaoru asked the doctor.
"Oh, gomen ne, Kaoru. I would love to, but I told Sanosuke that I would cook him dinner."
Kaoru grinned evilly. "You two seem pretty cozy," she said, nudging Megumi in the ribs with her elbow. "Do I hear a wedding sometime soon?"
"Shut up, Kaoru, or you'll be nursing more wounds," Megumi told her sourly. "You and Kenshin don't seem to be progressing."
That shut her up. "No," she said. "But, even if he never returns my feelings, I will always love him."
"Baka raccoon girl," Megumi said teasingly, smacking Kaoru on the head lightly. "Arigatou for the offer for dinner, but I'd better go before that rooster head dies of hunger."
Kaoru sniggered and walked Megumi to the gate. She walked to the bath to see if Yahiko was out and was surprised to see a kimono and obi already set out. She figured that Yahiko had laid the garments out. She smiled.
I guess I'll give him the day off tomorrow, she thought. He can spend it with Tsubame-chan.
Kaoru undressed and stepped into the tub. She was surprised when the water heated up a few minutes later. She heard a movement outside the bath and heard someone drop a piece of wood. Since Kenshin never dropped the wood, Kaoru guessed that it was Yahiko since he was the only other person who knew how she liked the water. Kaoru shook her head.
He must really want the day off, she thought, smiling.
"Arigatou," she paused, comptenplating whether or not she should say his name. "Yahiko."
She got a grunt as an answer and she laughed. Kaoru could have sworn she heard him mutter, "shut up."
Ten minutes later, she donned her kimono and walked into the yard. She saw Kenshin coming towards her.
"Kenshin!" she exclaimed. "Is dinner ready? That was fast."
"Hai, it's done," he said. "I just came to get you. How was your checkup with Megumi-san?"
Kaoru faltered. "Ano, it was okay," she said carefully.
"It went okay?" Kenshin asked worriedly. "Kaoru-dono, you don't sound very convincing. What did she tell you?"
Kaoru hesitated. "She said," she began haltingly. "She said that I-I could be pr-pregnant." She looked shamefully at the ground.
"Oh, Kaoru-dono," Kenshin whispered. "Gomen nasai!" He enveloped Kaoru in a hug. "Gomen nasai," he said softly into her fragrant, damp hair.
"Kenshin," she said, muffled. "I don't want to be pregnant, especially if it would be Kage's child! I don't want to bear his child! I'm not ready to be a mother yet!"
She shook with dry sobs. Kenshin stroked her hair.
"It's okay, Kaoru-dono. Everything will be okay," he said helplessly. "I'm sure that you aren't pregnant. And even if you were," he disengaged his arms and raised her chin with two fingers. "I'd never leave you. Not at your time of need. I've stayed her with you for almost three years and I have no intention of wandering anytime soon. So, I'll be here for you if you are pregnant." Kenshin looked steadily into her eyes.
Kaoru's eyes shined with unbidden tears. "Arigatou, Kenshin! You don't know how much that means. Having you stay around is probably the best mistake I eve made," she choked out in a half-sob, half-laugh.
"Anytime," he said. "Anytime, Kaoru-dono.
Kaoru wiped the back of her hand over her eyes. "Kuso. I'm probably all red and look awful," she said.
"No, you look beautiful as always," Kenshin said daringly. He turned away, not wanting to see her reaction. "I think we should go before Yahiko and Fumeiyo eat all the food."
Kaoru was staring at him, mouth agape. She couldn't believe that those words had come out of Kenshin's mouth. She was snapped back to reality when he mentioned that they should go eat. "Oh, ano, sure,' she said oddly.
That was the weirdest this to ever come out of Kenshin! Kaoru thought wildly. I must be hearing things.
She followed Kenshin into the dining room, feeling perplexed. She caught sight of Yahiko stuffing his face and she glared at him. He had no table manners, or any at all sometimes.
"What took you so long, Busu?" he asked, mouth full.
Kaoru scowled at him and said, "None of your business and mind your manners. Don't talk with your mouth full and don't gobble your food."
Yahiko took a big swallow and answered back clearly, "Whatever, Busu. What made you a mother all of a sudden?"
Kaoru froze and looked at Kenshin for help. He silenced Yahiko with a pleading look.
"Never mind," Yahiko mumbled. "I don't want to know."
"Arigatou," Kenshin said.
Fumeiyo cleared his throat to break the awkward silence that had lapsed over the table. "Fujitaka is looking in town and downtown for jobs. He should be back tomorrow. We don't want to impose on you anymore, Kaoru"
"It's no problem," she reassured him. "But where would you live? We're a little ways from the best jobs and it takes twenty minutes to walk downtown."
Yahiko rolled his eyes. "Baka," he said. "You're forgetting what I found today."
"That's right!" Kaoru cried. "Fumeiyo, Yahiko found the deed to Tsuyoi-kun and Mayonaka-chan's house. We can give it to you and you can live there!"
Fumeiyo looked thoughtful. "That's a good idea," he commented. "When Fujitaka comes back I'll run it by him, though I know he'll like the idea." He smiled at the three people around him. "You have showed infinite kindness that can't be paid back in anyway," Fumeiyo said. "Giving us this deed just adds to the kindness. Fujitaka and I will take great care of the house, Kaoru. I know how much it means to you."
Kaoru smiled. "Don't worry about it," she said. "As long as the people I care about are happy."
But what about you, Kaoru? Kenshin and Fumeiyo thought sadly.
The two men watched as Kaoru at her meal hungrily. They both loved her, but only one of them had her affection and he was totally oblivious to them as she was to his. Fumeiyo sighed mentally. He figured the faster he got out of the dojo, the faster Kenshin would tell Kaoru his feelings.
"Kaoru, Kenshin," Fumeiyo said. "I think that tomorrow Fujitaka and I will go and look at Tsuyoi and Mayonaka's house. We can spend the night to see if we're comfortable there."
Kaoru and Kenshin both looked up, startled. "Oh, okay," the two said.
Kenshin was secretly pleased. This is perfect! He thought. The only person who needs to go out tomorrow night is Yahiko. Kenshin almost laughed with joy when he heard what Kaoru said next.
"Oh, Yahiko, since I have been working you so hard, you get the day off tomorrow."
Yahiko looked at Kaoru. "Really?!" he asked excitedly. "All right! Kaoru, you're the best!"
"I guess I'm only called Kaoru when I give you the day off," she mused, then an evil smile appeared. "Well, Yahiko. How are you going to spend your day off?"
"I think I'll go and help down at the Akabeko," she said.
"Do you can see Tsubame-chan, right?"
"Ha- Oi! KAORU!" Yahiko yelled, bright red.
"I couldn't pass the chance to embarrass you, Yahiko," she said, teasingly. "But," she said, getting serious. "If you're there late, stay there. Plus, it feels like it's going to rain tomorrow, so take an umbrella with you, okay?"
"Hai, Kaoru," Yahiko said, still a little red.
Kenshin was floating on air after dinner. His luck had finally changed and everything was turning in his favor. When Yahiko had gone to bed and Kaoru had gone to make tea, he told Fumeiyo about his plans.
"I'm going to tell Kaoru-dono everything tomorrow. How I feel, my past, all of it."
Fumeiyo smile. "That's good. I'm sure you'll se a big difference in Kaoru, too. Trust me, it'll help her."
"Arigatou," Kenshin said gratefully. "I'm going to make her favorite dinner tomorrow. I'm hoping that everything will go perfectly."
"I'm sure it will, Kenshin," Fumeiyo said. "I'm sure it will."
"You're sure of what?" Kaoru asked, carrying out a tray of tea.
"Nothing," Fumeiyo said, innocently.
"Ano, okay," she said, while handing out the cups.
They sat in silence while drinking their tea and looking at the sky. Fumeiyo finished his tea rather quickly. Kenshin suspected that Fumeiyo wanted Kaoru and him to have some time alone.
"Well, I'm hitting it. Minna-san, Oyasumi!" Fumeiyo said, standing up and stretching.
"Oyasumi," Kenshin said, nodding to him.
"Don't worry about your, Fumeiyo," Kaoru told him. "I'll clean it up before I go to bed. Oyasumi!"
Fumeiyo nodded and left the two of them sitting on the porch quietly. There was a large, awkward silence between them.
"Say, Kaoru-dono," Kenshin began nervously. "Would you like to come to the market with me tomorrow? I'm making your favorite dish, since we haven't had in so long."
"Sure. I love going to the market, don't you? It's how we've me so many wonderful people. That's how we met Yahiko."
"Hai. That's true," Kenshin remarked, and then sighed.
Kaoru looked over at him. "Is something the matter, Kenshin?"
"Oh, no, Kaoru-dono. I was just looking at the sky. It's nice out tonight."
Kaoru shifted over so she was sitting right next Kenshin. "Chichi and I always used to watch the stars. We'd do it every night before I went to bed, except if it was cloudy. I haven't done it years."
"O-oh," Kenshin said, sweating. Kaoru was painfully close. He could smell her hair and feel her body heat enveloping him. "I-I used to do this when I was still learning Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. On some nights, I would outside by the stream and just stare at the stars. I even saw a shooting star once."
"Wow!" Kaoru exclaimed. "I've never seen one before. It would be so amazing to see one."
Kenshin placed his hand on Kaoru's and leaned over. "I think you're in luck," he whispered in her ear, his breath tickling her neck. He pointed to the sky. "There's one now. They say that shooting stars are lucky. Make a wish, Kaoru-dono."
"Okay," she said and closed her eyes. I wish that I will have the courage to tell Kenshin that I love him and he will feel the same way.
Kenshin also closed his eyes and made a wish. I wish that everything is perfect tomorrow and Kaoru-dono will be able to accept me still.
He heard Kaoru sigh deeply.
"Stargazing is the best!" she said quietly and laid her head on Kenshin's shoulder.
Kenshin looked down at her lovingly. "Hai. I used to love to look at the stars when I was Master's apprentice."
"What about when you were a child? Did you stargaze with your oka-san and otou-san?"
Kenshin fidgeted uncomfortably. "Ano, no. I don't remember my parents very well. I wouldn't remember if I did or not. They died when I was very young."
Kaoru's head lifted from his shoulder quickly and her hands flew to her mouth. "Oh! Gomen nasai, Kenshin! I have no business asking about your past! I didn't mean to!" she anxiously.
"Calm down, Kaoru-dono," Kenshin said, laying a cool hand on her cheek. "I just don't talk about my past often. So, I'm just not used to telling people. If it had really bothered me, I would have changed the subject. It's okay, you needn't worry."
"Are you sure?" Kaoru asked, twisting her hands in her lap.
He took her hands and held them tightly. "Hai, I'm sure, Kaoru-dono," he said, staring into her eyes, drinking in their warmth.
Her eyes are so pretty, he thought. Such a deep azure.
Kaoru smiled sweetly at him and laid her head back down on his shoulder. She was dozing lightly when Kenshin shook her gently.
"Kaoru-dono, you might want to go to bed," he suggested. "You seem very tired."
"Okay," she said sleepily. "I have to take the tea cup first though."
"I'll do that, Kaoru-dono. Don't worry about them."
"Demo-" she began.
"I'll do it," Kenshin said firmly.
"O-okay," Kaoru said and stood up. She almost fell over, but Kenshin caught her in strong arms.
"Are you okay?" Kenshin asked, concerned.
"I'm fine, my legs just fell asleep. I can't walk when that happens. I'll be fine in a few minutes," Kaoru reassured him.
"Hmm. I don't know," Kenshin said. "I'm afraid that you're going to fall again." He picked her up in his arms. She squeaked slightly. "I think I'd feel safer if I brought you to your room."
Kaoru looked up at Kenshin's handsome face and felt her cheeks get hot. "Arigatou, Kenshin."
"It's the least I can do," he told her.
When he put her in her room, he put her down gently. He hugged her tightly and whispered, "Yoi yume o, Kaoru-dono."
"Oyasumi," she whispered back and hesitantly kissed him on his scarred cheek. "That's for that night three weeks ago," she told him.
Kenshin stroked her cheek softly and left the room. When he got outside, he placed his hand on his cheek. Kaoru had kissed him. He smiled happily as he brought the tea tray into the kitchen. He put the teacups in a wooden basin. An unfamiliar cup caught his eye. He took the cup from the shelf and examined it. It had a sakura tree on it and was very pretty. He was sure that he hadn't seen the cup before. Kenshin looked at the bottom of the teacup to if the name of the person who made it was on there. All Kenshin saw was the smooth, glossy bottom. He decided that he would ask Kaoru tomorrow. He placed the cup back on the shelf.
Kenshin crept from the kitchen into the hallway. He didn't want to disturb anyone. He stopped at Yahiko's room and peered in. the boy was sleeping soundly and there was no sign that he was having the nightmare. As Kenshin slipped into his room, he realized that Kaoru, too, wasn't having her nightmare. He was grateful for that. He got into his yukata and lay down, pulling the covers up to his chin. Sleep soon claimed him. Tomorrow was the day.
The next, Yahiko nearly choked from gobbling down his breakfast. Kaoru patted him on the back, scolding him for eating so fast.
"You should know by now not to do that," she said. "And my cooking not that bad that you have to eat so fast as not to taste it."
"Uh huh, whatever. I'm done!" Yahiko stood up. "All right, ha ne!" he said, scrambling out door.
"Matte!" Kaoru called, chasing after him. "Dammit, Yahiko. Umbrella, baka!"
Yahiko rushed back and grabbed the umbrella from Kaoru's hands. "Arigatou, Kaoru!" Without a backwards glance, he ran out the gate. A few seconds later, Fujitaka walked in.
"Well, he seemed in a rush," he remarked to Kaoru. "Ohayo gozaimasu, Kaoru-san."
Kaoru smiled at the middle-aged man. "Ohayo gozaimasu, Fujitaka. Everyone's in the kitchen eating breakfast. Oh, and we have exciting new for you," she told him. "Fumeiyo and I will tell you while you're eating."
"Sure," he said, following Kaoru into the kitchen. "Minna-san, ohayo gozaimasu," he said when he walked into the kitchen.
He was greeted with a nod from Kenshin and a grunt from Fumeiyo. Fujitaka rolled his eyes at Fumeiyo. He cleared his throat. "I have good new of my own," he announced after sitting down.
"Really?" Fumeiyo asked. "What's up?"
"I found us a job down! It's working at a restaurant. They needed cooks, but they want to meet you."
"That's great!" Kaoru exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "Congratulations!"
"Arigatou," Fujitaka said, beaming. So much for being useless, huh, Kage? he thought shrewdly. "The only problem is," he continued. "Is that they need to see you today, Fumeiyo. They said that if you don't show up, they'll give the jobs to someone else."
"That's not a problem," Fumeiyo said. "I haven't left the dojo in a while, so we can leave in about an hour or so. We have some good news of our own."
"Kaoru-san mentioned something like that," he said.
"Oh, hai," she said taking a bowl that Kenshin had handed her. While she dried it, she explained what Yahiko had found. "So, you see. I would like to give you two the deed to the house, so you don't have to travel as far to get to your new jobs."
Fujitaka stood up immediately and bowed lower than necessary. "Oh, arigatou, Kaoru-san!" he cried. "You are too kind!"
Kaoru blushed and held out her hands. "Onegai, don't bow. It's really the only thing I can do to repay you and Fumeiyo for everything you've done," she told him. "I don't deserve such thanks."
"Demo, you do!" Fumeiyo insisted. ""You saved both Fumeiyo and me, too! You saved us from Kage!"
Fumeiyo watched Fujitaka and snorted. "Now, if we could get back on track," he said pointedly. Fujitaka colored and sat back down. "I'm sure we'll be at the restaurant for a few hours, so we can go to the house, check it out, and sleep there tonight. We'll see how comfortable we are."
"Ano, if you two feel uncomfortable sleeping there, you can come back here," Kaoru said.
Kuso! Kenshin thought, biting his lower lip. He looked pleadingly at Fumeiyo. Onegai, don't come back!
"That's very kind of you," Fumeiyo said, catching Kenshin's expression and reading his plea clearly. "But, I'm sure that we'll be fine."
Kaoru smiled and turned back to drying the dishes. When they were done, Kenshin helped her clean the practice room. She smiled as she watched Kenshin run with the rag, cleaning and polishing the wooden floor. She scrubbed the walls carefully. Kenshin glanced up to see her fingertips tracing the outline of new plaster on the wall.
"I remember when that happened," he said, getting up.
"Yeah, me too. It was your battle with Saito. The battle where you went so far into Battousai that I couldn't call you out. It frightened me," she said.
Kenshin looked at her, disbelievingly. "You were actually afraid of me?" he questioned her incredulously.
"No. I wasn't frightened of you because I knew you were still there, asleep inside Battousai. What scared me was that I couldn't reach you. I couldn't help you, no matter how much I called or how hard I cried. I was afraid that you would die."
Kenshin put his arms around Kaoru's chest, pulling her into him. "I'm too stubborn to die," he told her and she laughed dryly. "I was so focused on protecting the ones I cared about most, I did anything I could to not let Saito get near you. After what he had done to Sanosuke and then had the gall to come in here, as dangerous as he is, and gloat that he hadn't killed you yet made me snap. The same thing happened when you were taken by Jin'eh."
Kaoru sighed. "It's always hard to protect the ones closest to you," she remarked sadly. "Haha died so suddenly when I was little and I wondered why I couldn't save. Then, when Chichi went off into the Senin Wars four years ago, I was helpless. I couldn't convince him to stay because he loved his country and felt that he had a sense of duty. I crumbled when I got the telegram that he was dead. I was alone for good. I would never welcome him home again, nor would I be welcomed home by warm, comforting arms."
"After Chichi died, the students started to leave because they felt that a girl shouldn't be teaching or fighting for that matter. They only tolerated me because of my chichi. After about six months, I had only ten students left. Everything fell apart after that. I even thought of closing the dojo and finding myself a husband." She smiled softly. "But then one day, a few months later, I accidentally attacked an unsuspecting, redheaded, violet-eyes samurai and got him living here."
Kenshin chuckled and hugged her close. "That's right! The unsuspecting, redheaded, violet-eyed samurai in person!"
"Baka," she giggled.
"Uh, Kaoru?" came a wry voice.
Kenshin and Kaoru sprang apart, each a violent shade of red.
"Uh, hai, Fumeiyo?" Kaoru asked nervously.
"Fujitaka and I are leaving now," he said, a hint of laughter in his voice. "We'll see you tomorrow."
"Sure, have a good time and be careful," Kaoru mumbled. "Ja ne."
"Ja ne," he said with a wave and disappeared from the doorway.
Kenshin and Kaoru looked at each other quickly.
"Uh, ano," Kenshin stuttered. "I think I'll finish the floor," he said and went back to the rag in the middle of the floor. His pattering footsteps resumed.
Kaoru bent down and moved the bucket to a different spot. She finished washing the wall and went outside to dump the bucket.
Oh! Why did Fumeiyo have to come it!? she seethed silently. That felt so perfect! We were meant for each other, I can feel it! It's what destiny wants! She opened her mouth in a silent scream. It's so unfair, she thought huffily. The sound of footsteps behind her broke through her thoughts. Kenshin had walked besides her, wiping the sweat from his forehead with the sleeve of his gi.
"The floor's done," he told her. "Do you want to go to the market after we bathe?"
"Uh, sure," she said. "You can go first. There's something I need to do."
"Okay," he agreed and they both made their way to their rooms. "I'll only be five minutes," he said as he passed her room, fresh clothes in his hand.
"Oh. Don't worry about it," Kaoru said. "Take your time. I'm in no rush."
Kenshin nodded and went to the bathhouse. Kaoru looked at the shinai leaning in the corner. She needed to find a rack for it. She stood there, thinking hard, brow furrowed. She went into the shed and found an extra sword rack. She brought it to her room and leaned it against the wall. He put the shinai on the largest part of the rack. She then put her katana, bokken, and wakazashi with the shinai. She had to have someone tall to mount it on the wall. Next time she saw Sanosuke, she would ask him.
"Kaoru-dono," Kenshin said. She turned and her breath caught in her throat. Kenshin was standing there, bare-chested, his gi hanging from his waist and his damp, fiery locks were loose down his back. "The bath is ready for you."
"A-arigatou," she stuttered, staring at him, heart pounding loudly.
She turned away quickly and Kenshin walked into his room. Kaoru rummaged through the wooden wardrobe closet at the other end of her room. She decided on the kimono and obi that Fumeiyo had gotten made for her. It was an extremely pretty garment and she and Kenshin hadn't been alone like this for a long time. She hadn't worn the kimono yet either. She was taking it out of the wardrobe when Kenshin came to her door again.
"Uh, Kaoru-dono. Could you help me?" he asked.
"Okay," she said placing the kimono on the low table. "What do you need help with?"
"My hair," he said sheepishly, holding out the cloth he usually tied it with. "For some reason, I can't tie it."
Kaoru shook her head and motioned for him to come in. "Sit," she instructed. Kenshin sat on her futon. "Now, let's see what you've done." She glanced at his head. "Ah. I've found the problem. Don't you ever brush your hair?" she asked the redhead, going to the wardrobe to get her brush.
"Hai. Why?" he asked.
"Because you have a large knot," she said as she gently ran the brush through his hair, coaxing the tangled loose. "It's probably just from running your fingers through it quickly. That's how you brush you hair, I assume?"
"Hai, it is. Why? Is that bad?"
"If your hair is as long as yours," she said. "Hai. When we're in the market, I'll get you a brush. You need one very badly."
Kenshin turned pink. "I feel stupid asking you to do this," he said. "I mean, I'm grown man of thirty. I shouldn't need other people to do this."
"That's why I'm here," Kaoru said, easing the last of the tangles out. "There! I got that mess out!"
"Arigatou," Kenshin said. He sighed inaudibly as Kaoru ran the brush gently through his hair a few more times to make sure that she didn't miss any knots. "That feels so good," he moaned.
Kaoru smiled widely. "When I was a little girl, Haha used to play with my hair and brush it all the time. It massages your scalp. It helps relieve stress, too."
"Hai, it does," Kenshin said. His eyes were closed lightly as Kaoru continued to brush his hair.
"I need your hair tie, Kenshin," she said, holding out her hand.
Kenshin reluctantly handed it to Kaoru. She deftly tied it, making his ponytail as neat as ever.
"Domo arigatou, Kaoru-dono," he said and stood up. "I think the fire for the bath might have become low, so I'll go with you."
Kaoru gave him a slight nod, gathered her clothes, and walked outside. Dark gray clouds rolled overhead. She frowned at the sky. "Oh no, it's going to rain hard later. I hope it's not when we're in the market!"
Kenshin glanced up at the sky quickly. "I think we might make it in time," he commented. "But, we can take an umbrella."
They reached the bathhouse and Kaoru stepped in. About ten minutes later, she reemerged, feeling a lot less sweaty. She blushed faintly at the way Kenshin was looking at her. His mouth was open slightly and his eyes were wide.
"Wow," he whispered. "You look beautiful. I haven't seen that kimono before. It's very flattering. Is it new?"
"Hai. Fumeiyo had it made for me. But, I wanted to wear it since tonight is special," she said hurriedly after Kenshin's face fell. "It's been over two years since we've had the dojo to ourselves. It's a nice change."
It sure is, Kenshin thought. It sure is.
A half hour later, the two were in walking in the market, buying ingredients for dinner. Kaoru told Kenshin that she'd meet him at the fruit vendor because she was going to see if she could find a brush for him. It took her a couple of minutes, but she found a nice, stiff-bristled brush. She paid the woman behind the counter and started down the road to the fruit vendor. Two men got in her way half way down the street.
"Sumimasen," she said politely.
"Ya really think we're gonna move, toots?" one of the men asked.
"Well," Kaoru began calmly. "It would be very nice if you would. I would like to get home before it starts to rain."
"I'm sure ya would," said the man. "How's about we come home with ya, seemin' ya ain't got a husband around with ya."
"So, that makes me an easy target?" she asked coldly. "I don't remember saying that I wanted company."
"Oh, aren't you a feisty one?" said the other man. "I like that. What's a pretty girl like you doin' alone?"
"None of your business," Kaoru spat. "Now, let me pass or pay the consequences."
The second man laughed. "What ya gonna do, darlin'? Scratch me or call for help. I'm scared."
"No, I'll just knock the both of you silly," she informed him, the grip on her umbrella tightening.
"Is that so?" drawled the other man.
"Hai, but I would like to avoid something like that. It would also be embarrassing to be beaten by a girl. I have someone waiting for me, and he'll be getting worried. So if you please," she said, turning around and heading down a different street.
The men followed her at a distance, not at all liking that a female had mouthed off to them. They stopped abruptly when they saw the man she called to. He was a harmless looking redheaded man with a cross scar, just as tall as the girl herself. The two men knew that the fragile looking man was far from being that. They had heard rumors of a rurouni of incredible strength and with a cross scar on his left cheek. At the recognition, the two men fled.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru called.
"Oh, Kaoru-dono," he said, turning around. "I was beginning to get worried. It took you awhile to get here."
"Oh, that," she said, grinning. "I ran into some, how should I put it, thugs who thought they could have their way with me. I had to take a detour."
Kenshin's face became a worried frown. "They didn't touch you, did they?"
"No, but they followed me. But, when they saw you, they ran away." She chuckled and Kenshin joined her.
"Look, Kaoru-dono! They have suika. How about we get one to have after dinner?"
"Okay!" Kaoru agreed happily.
The two paid for the suika and started home. The walk was relatively quiet, but they didn't mind. It was a comfortable silence. Kaoru looked up at the dark storm clouds and sighed.
"Do you think we'll make it home before it rains, Kenshin?" she asked.
"I sure hope so," he commented. "I don't like the prospect of our bags getting wet and our food become soggy."
"Well," Kaoru said, holding up the umbrella. "I'm hoping that we won't have to use this."
"Me too," Kenshin said.
It started to drizzle when they reached the dojo's gates. Kaoru opened the gate quickly and she and Kenshin scurried inside.
"I'm going to put the brush I bought in your room," Kaoru told Kenshin. "I'll be back to help you in a minute."
"You don't need to help," Kenshin told her.
"I know," she said. "But, I want to."
When Kaoru's footsteps faded away, Kenshin pulled out a small, wrapped package that was hidden in with the vegetables. It was an ivory and mother-of-pearl hair comb. He was sure that it would look amazing on Kaoru. While she went to buy him a brush, he had wandered for a little bit and found the beautiful comb in a small stall. He quickly hid it in his sleeve when Kaoru returned.
"What can I do to help?" she asked, tying her sleeves up.
"Well, I guess you can cut the vegetables into strips. I'm going to make batter to put on the fish after I clean them."
"Okay," she said, smiling cheerfully. She got a sharp knife from the shelf. She carefully began to cut up the squash.
"Please be careful, Kaoru-dono," Kenshin cautioned. "I don't want you cutting yourself."
"I'll be fine, worrywart," she told him.
"Well, I'm just making sure."
About twenty minutes later, the fish were placed in the oil after they had been coated in batter. The eggplant, squash, tomatoes, and burdock root were cooking over a low fire. Rice simmered next to the vegetables. The dojo was filled with the delicious smell of cooked food.
"Now," Kenshin said to Kaoru. "Shoo. Go read. I'll finish up in here." He waved his arms at her.
"Demo," Kaoru protested. "Don't you need help?"
"No, I've got the rest. I can handle everything. Now go!"
"Alright! I'm going, I'm going! So impatient," she mumbled.
"I heard that, Kaoru-dono," Kenshin informed her turned back. She jumped and pattered away into the study.
Kenshin quickly pulled the fish from the oil, putting them on the wooden cutting board. He pulled a china platter from the shelf and placed the hot fish on it. He used a cloth to grab the ceramic rice pot from the fire. Kenshin scooped the sticky rice into two bowls. He deftly removed the vegetable strips from the iron rack with chopsticks, putting them on the platter. He then doused all the flames.
Kenshin took two china plates and placed them on the table in the dining room. He came back into the kitchen and got two pairs of chopsticks and two chopstick stands. He put them on the platter and carried them in with the two bowls of rice and other food. He set the platter in the middle of the table and placed the bowls of rice at opposite ends of the table. Kenshin walked into the study where Kaoru looked up from her book.
"Dinner is ready, Kaoru-dono," he said.
"It smells wonderful," she said, following him into the dining room. "I could hardly concentrate on my book!"
"Gomen ne," Kenshin said, putting a cushion before her place setting.
"Don't apologize!" she said. "Arigatou for the cushion," she added, sitting.
"Okay! Okay!" he said, sitting down also. "Well. Go ahead. Try some."
Kaoru put a piece of fish and some vegetable strips on her plate. She took a bite of the batter-covered fish and chewed slowly.
"Well, is it good?" Kenshin asked anxiously. "It doesn't taste bad?"
"Of course it doesn't taste bad!" Kaoru exclaimed. "Everything you make tastes excellent. Why shouldn't this?"
"Well, anything can go wrong when you cook," he said, taking a piece of fish and some cooked vegetables.
"Everything goes wrong when I cook," Kaoru grumbled.
"It's improved a lot, Kaoru-dono!" Kenshin said quickly.
"Don't bother, Kenshin," she told him. "I know my cooking sucks."
Kenshin smiled and started eating. After a few minutes of silence, he asked Kaoru about what she was reading.
"Oh. Those were folk tales. Haha got that when I was little. They're from all over the world, like Europe and even further away! It's one of my prized possessions."
"That sounds very interesting," Kenshin said. "You have to read one to me one day. Yahiko might like one of those stories, too."
"You think? I'd love to read you a few of the folk tales," she replied enthusiastically. "If I have a child, I would use them as bedtime stories. That's what they were used for me. You can just imagine my dreams!" She laughed and Kenshin chuckled with her.
"Very exciting, I'm sure," Kenshin said, and then took a large bite of fish.
So far, everything was going smoothly. After about a half hour, Kaoru would make tea and cut up the suika. He would tell her then. When Kenshin thought of tea, his mind slipped to the unfamiliar teacup.
"Kaoru-dono, I found a very pretty teacup on the shelf last night. I don't remember seeing it before. It had a sakura tree on it."
"Oh! Hiko-san made that for me. It was before we went home after Kyoto. I put it in the back of the shelf," she explained. "I had forgotten about it until the other day when I made tea. I love that cup."
"So, Master made this for you? Hmmm. I can't keep track of what he makes anymore. Pottery making is such an odd hobby for a swordsman," he commented. "But, then again, Master is odd himself."
Somewhere in Kyoto, Sejiro Hiko sneezed, spilling sake on the floor and his clothes.
"Baka apprentice," he muttered darkly.
Kenshin and Kaoru finished eating about fifteen minutes later. They cleaned up together and as they were washing the dishes, a flash of lightening streaked across the sky and thunder boomed. Kaoru dropped the rice bowl she was holding and it shattered into twenty different pieces.
"Oh! I'm such a klutz!" she said, embarrassed. "That thunderclap scared me."
As she and Kenshin knelt down to pick up the broken bowl, lightening flashed again and thunder bellowed deeply. They heard the steady rain become a cascade of water on the roof. Kaoru shivered.
"It's so nasty outside," she commented. "I'm guessing Yahiko won't be back tonight."
"I'm sure that Yahiko wouldn't be back even if it weren't raining," Kenshin grinned slyly.
Kaoru giggled knowingly and picked up the remaining pieces of the bowl. She and Kenshin deposited them on the cutting board.
A little while later, the two finished the dishes and Kaoru began to boil water for tea. Kenshin got out a sharp knife and cut a slice of suika for each of them. When Kaoru served him his tea in the study, he blinked in surprise.
"The cup," he said, picking it up and staring at the sakura tree pattern.
"Well," Kaoru began. "Hiko-san did tell me to serve you good tea with this cup, so that's what I'm doing. At least, I hope the tea is good."
Kenshin stared at her, astonished. "Master said that to you?!" he asked, afraid to hear the answer.
"Mmm," Kaoru replied. "Why?"
Clever yarou, Kenshin thought.
"Well, it's unlike him to say stuff like that, especially about me since I'm his baka apprentice."
"Come on, don't be silly," Kaoru chided him. "Hiko-san just cares about you. He's worried for your well being."
Kenshin's eyes crinkled in a smile. "You cease to amaze me, Kaoru-dono. And," he added. "The tea is fine, as always."
Kaoru smiled and took a dainty bite of the suika. "Wow!" she exclaimed. "The suika tastes great!"
"Hai, it does," Kenshin agreed, also taking a bite.
The two finished their tea and their suika.
"Would you like more tea, Kenshin?" Kaoru asked, holding up the teapot.
"Oh, hai, arigatou," he said and held out his cup.
This is it, he thought. I'm going to tell her everything now.
Kaoru sighed when the rain began to beat down harder on the roof. "Rain can be so depressing sometimes," she told Kenshin. "You can't do anything outside when it rains this hard."
"I know," Kenshin said, mouth suddenly very dry. "Uh, Kaoru-dono?"
"Hai, Kenshin?" she returned, looking at him directly.
"There's something I've been meaning to tell you for a long time, but the timing was never right."
This is it! they both thought in unison.
"I need to tell you the story of my past."
Kaoru's face faltered for a few seconds. "Oh. Well, the only way for us to help ourselves it to help others and listen to their stories," she said to him. "I want to help myself understand your pain and past."
"Well, there's a reason you need to hear my past."
"Okay," Kaoru said cautiously. "I'm listening.
Kenshin began the tragic tale of his life. His parents died when he was very young and he was sold to slave traders. Three women protected him, but were killed by bandits. His life was spared due to Sejiro Hiko arriving. He left Kenshin amid the dead bodies, a field of crimson and chaos. The next day, Hiko returned to find all the bodies buried, and they each had a marker. Kenshin was taken under Hiko's wing and was renamed. His birth name had been Shinta. After learning all but two techniques of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, Kenshin became a hitokiri for the government at the age of fifteen.
Through the bloody years of the Bakumastu, he was known as the shadow assassin. No one saw his face when they died and if they did, it didn't matter because they were dead within seconds. The name Hitokiri Battousai was whispered in fear and awe. The skills of Battousai were legend, as the man himself. During this time, he met someone. Someone who would teach a bloodthirsty man to love.
He accidentally killed her fiancé, Kiyosato Akira. The girl's name was Yukishiro Tomoe. She was a pretty woman with soft, brown eyes and lustrous black hair. She had seen Kenshin kill a man and didn't even flinch, even as flecks of hot blood landed on her face. Tomoe just stared at him.
They fell in love a little while later, after pretending to be married to travel. They became truly married and Yukishiro Tomoe now became Himura Tomoe. But the happiness that they both shared was fleeting. One day, as Kenshin fought someone, Tomoe threw herself amidst the battle in a blind effort to protect Kenshin. He accidentally killed her as he struck the other man.
The white snow was soon red from the blood of the dead man, the dying Tomoe, and the wounded Kenshin. Tomoe told Kenshin to live and to be happy. There was no need for him to dwell. As she lay dying in his arms, she used the last of her strength to take her dagger and put another gash in his once smooth left cheek. She completed his scar and him. She died, telling Kenshin that she loved him. After that, when he killed, it was for Tomoe.
One day, during the end of the Bakumatsu, at the age of nineteen, Kenshin disappeared. With him, he took a sakabatou, leaving his katana behind, and a vow to never kill again. Kenshin would wander for ten years, hoping to seek atonement for his bloody past. Soon, the deeds of Battousai became tales to scare young children, but the name still scared the people in the Meiji Era. But, Kenshin met Kamiya Kaoru, an extraordinary girl, and everything changed.
Kaoru sat stark still, staring at Kenshin with unblinking eyes.
"You see, Kaoru-dono. I killed my own wife and I still seek atonement for what I've done."
Kaoru didn't move.
"Please say something," he said pleadingly.
Kaoru blinked slowly and stood up. She blindly stumbled out of the study and into the yard, into the rain. Kenshin hurriedly followed her.
So, that's why his eyes always hold a haunted look, she thought faintly.
"Tomoe," she said softly, letting the name roll off her tongue. She barely noticed that she was soaking wet.
"Kaoru-dono!" Kenshin called from the porch. "Please come back inside! You're going to get sick!"
Kaoru made no move if she heard him. She continued to stare at the sky, her tears mixed with the rain. "Why?" she whispered to the clouds and to herself. "Why didn't he tell me?"
"Because I was afraid."
Kaoru turned to face Kenshin, who was now also soaked and very close.
"Afraid of what!?" she cried. "That I would reject you!? Make you leave the dojo!?"
"To lose you, Kaoru. I'm afraid to lose you."
No 'dono,' Kaoru thought wildly.
"I'm afraid that one day, I will kill you as I did Tomoe. I don't want you to die," he said, sounding like a child. "I don't want to lose you!"
Kaoru stared at him though the rain. "A human soul cannot be permanently chained, Kenshin," she said. "You are free from your sins of the past when you helped people."
He laughed bitterly. "No, I'm not, Kaoru," he said. "I can never be atoned."
"You can!" she cried. "You can! By forgiving yourself, the people you killed will forgive you. Their deaths were forgotten long ago."
"But not to me, Kaoru," Kenshin said plainly. "There are blood stains on my hand that can't be washed away."
"Let me help," she said suddenly. "Let me help you. It's true that pain is inevitable. But suffering is optional!"
Kenshin gazed at her through the pounding rain. Kaoru was soaked to the bone. Her hair was plastered to her face and her kimono clung to her every curve. She was trembling slightly.
"How?" he asked. "How, Kaoru?"
"By letting me be there," she reasoned, moving closer to him. "Kenshin, dai-"
She was cut off by Kenshin's lips on her. She shivered as warmth filled her cold body, and Kaoru wrapped her arms around Kenshin's back. His lips were soft and warm. He pulled away slowly, an apology in his eyes.
"Don't you dare apologize," she muttered hazily to him.
"Daisuki desu, Kaoru! Daisuki desu!" he whispered to her, his breath warm on her face. "I've loved you since the moment I met you! I always have!" He kissed her again. "You don't know how long I've been waiting to do this!"
Kaoru smiled happily at him. "Daisuki desu, Kenshin," she said back. "I, too, have been waiting so long to tell you. I have loved you for so long!"
Their lips met again greedily. They kissed each other heatedly, passion flowing through them like an electric current. They clung to each other, afraid to let go. They were afraid that if they let go of each other, everything they said would wash away with the rain. They broke apart, gasping for air.
Kaoru began to laugh. "Look at us!" she exclaimed. "We must look like wet bags. We're so soggy! I think we better go in and change before we catch a cold!"
"I agree," Kenshin said and picked her up.
Kaoru wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his smooth right cheek. "Daisuki desu, Kenshin," she said, nuzzling his neck.
"Daisuki desu, Kaoru."
Kaoru nearly cried. It was her name, stripped of all honorifics, formalities. When Kenshin spoke that word, it was sacred. She would no longer be Kaoru-dono to him, just Kaoru, the one he loved. Kenshin set her down in front of her door.
"Get changed before you get sic. I'll be back in a minute."
Kaoru stripped out of her wet kimono, breast wrap, and loincloth. She got on her favorite orange and yellow kimono. She slipped into it after wrapping her breasts and putting on her loincloth. She took a folded towel that was in her room and began to towel dry her soaking hair.
Kenshin walked into his room to change, feeling light as a feather. He swiftly changed into clean, dry clothes and shook the water out of his red locks. Kenshin reached into the sleeve of his soaking gi and pulled out a soggy package. He unpeeled the wet paper from the delicate hair comb. He knew Kaoru would love it.
Kaoru was brushing her hair when Kenshin knocked. "Come in!" she called shyly.
"I have something for you, Kaoru," Kenshin said, holding the hair comb out to her.
Kaoru took the hair comb gently out of his outstretched hand with slender fingers. "Oh, Kami-sama!" she breathed. "It's beautiful! I love it!"
When she moved to put it in her hair, Kenshin grabbed her hands. "No," he said huskily. "Let me." Kenshin's calloused fingers affectionately out the comb in her hair.
"Oh! Arigatou, Kenshin!" Kaoru cried. "It's gorgeous!"
"I'm glad you like it," he said, kissing her forehead.
"Oh, Kenshin. Daisuki desu. I have for so long."
"Me too, Kaoru," he told her lovingly. "But, I don't deserve you."
Kaoru looked at him oddly. "What do you mean you 'don't deserve me?'" she asked, scared slightly.
"You're too pure, too innocent for me. I have too much blood on my hands to be able to touch you," he said, hoping he would sound cold and distant. It didn't work.
"Innocent!?" she barked. "Pure!? You still think I'm pure after what Kage did and that I might have his child because of it!?"
"Hai," Kenshin said softly.
"You need a reality check then, Kenshin! I'm not any of those things, and if that's true , I'm deserving of you!"
This wasn't the reaction that Kenshin had expected, but he worked with it. "You deserve someone better than me," he told her tenderly.
"No!" she countered. "I deserve you!" Without another word, she threw her arms around his shoulders.
"Kaoru-dono, this isn't right," Kenshin began reluctantly.
"Don't you dare call me that! No more honorifics!" she shouted. "It sounds too fake!"
"Gomen ne, Kaoru," Kenshin apologized helplessly.
"Don't defy destiny," Kaoru begged, eyes shining with tears. "Don't defy your heart!"
Kenshin looked at the face of the one he loved. She was right. He couldn't fight fate or his heart any longer. He kissed Kaoru deeply. "I can't do it anymore!" he whispered to her when they broke apart. "I can't spend another night in the next room thinking about you. I need you! You're the only reason I live, Kaoru! If you hadn't come after me in Kyoto, I would have never come back! But, I can't turn my back on you anymore!"
"When you can't have what you want, it's time to start wanting what you have," Kaoru told him softly.
Kenshin began to sob into Kaoru's stomach. She stroked his hair, telling him that it was okay, that she loved him more than life itself, and that everything would be fine.
"We can leave tomorrow for tomorrow," she said quietly. "That's the best thing about the future, it's a clean slate and you can start anew."
Kenshin's sobs had ended and he didn't answer. Kaoru looked down at him. He was sleeping, but very lightly. When she moved, he woke up.
"Gomen nasai, Kenshin!" Kaoru said, horrified. "I didn't mean to wake you!"
"Don't apologize, Kaoru," she reprimanded her sternly.
"Are you tires?" Kaoru asked him.
"Very much so," he said playfully and pulled Kaoru down so that her head was lying on his chest. "Now, let's sleep, Kaoru."
"I can hear our hearts," Kaoru said, ear pressed against Kenshin's chest.
"Our?" Kenshin questioned curiously.
"It's always been one," she reasoned. "We just never noticed it before."
"Mmm," Kenshin said.
"Fine, if you don't believe me, feel!" Kaoru pulled Kenshin's hand to her heart. "See," she bragged. "I told you so."
Kenshin felt the slow pounding heart beat under his hand and then listened to his heart. "It's in unison."
"See, told you," she said, sticking out her tongue.
Kenshin stroked her face. "You're so beautiful," he said. "Do you know that?"
Kaoru blushed. "Stop it!" she said. "You're making me turn red." She shifted so that she could face him. "Kenshin, I want to tell you something very important."
"What is it, Kaoru?"
"I want you to know that if you are afraid that you will kill me, don't be. I would rather die by your hands than anyone else's," she told him. "Because daisuki desu."
Kenshin stared at her. "But, Kaoru," he began. "I would never be able to live with myself!"
"We'll never have a situation where you might kill me," Kaoru said. "We will live together until we're old. We will together for a very, very long time."
"Demo, what if-"
Kaoru cut him off. "There are no 'what ifs,'" she told him. "What ifs stall things. I think we're both smart enough to avoid danger like that anyway."
Kenshin sighed. "You're right," he said, drawing her close. "Daisuki desu. I can't stop saying that to you. I guess I'm making up for all the time that I didn't when I should have."
Kaoru giggled and Kenshin kissed, his lips painfully slow and gentle. As they deepened their kiss, their lips moved heatedly. They broke apart for only a few seconds, but drew back to each other, afraid that it was a dream. When they drew apart again, Kaoru sighed contently and snuggled closer into Kenshin's chest. Kenshin snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her even closer. Their breathing became slower as they fell into a deep sleep. Their hearts still beat as one.
"Should we poke them?"
"No! Are crazy! Kenshin'll smack you with his sword!"
"He doesn't have his sword with him, you stupid rooster head!"
"Well, fine, brat! You can poke him, 'cause I'm not risking it!"
"Ah. So he finally told her." Another voice joined the commotion.
Kaoru and Kenshin both opened their eyes to see Sanosuke, Yahiko, Fumeiyo, and Fujitaka standing there, grinning widely.
"We're not some side show," Kaoru grumbled.
"So, you two are together finally?" Sanosuke asked casually.
"Hai, Sano," Kenshin said, sitting up.
"You must have had a busy night," Sano remarked, grinning wolfishly. "It's nearly ten o' clock." He grabbed his shin in pain after Kaoru kicked him.
"Sanosuke, you hentai!" she said. "We didn't do anything!"
Fumeiyo and Fujitaka smiled at the couple. "Congratulations," they said.
"I'm happy for you, Kaoru," Fumeiyo told her. "Same for you, Kenshin."
"Arigatou," the pair said.
"That's great!" Fujitaka said excitedly. "I'm so happy for both of you!"
They smiled at the excited man.
"Well, you're finally up, sleepyheads?" came a wry voice from behind Sanosuke. "Took you long enough!"
"Megumi-san!" Kaoru wailed. "You're here too?!"
"Of course I am!" she said. "I wouldn't miss seeing you two sleeping in each other's arms for anything."
"Oh, well, I'm so glad that you didn't," Kaoru remarked sarcastically.
"So," Sano drawled idly. "When are you getting married?"
"Sanosuke!" Kaoru cried, hiding her face in her hands.
Kenshin put his arms around Kaoru's shoulders. "I haven't asked Kaoru to marry me yet," Kaoru glanced up at his face. "I wanted to wait until all of all were here." Kenshin turned to Kaoru. "Kaoru, would you please marry me and become Himura Kaoru? You're the woman I want to spend the rest of my days with."
Kaoru smiled lovingly at Kenshin. "I will! I will marry you and become Himura Kaoru!"
Megumi, Fujitaka, and Fumeiyo clapped and cheered while Sanosuke whooped loudly. Yahiko, however, was silent. Kaoru noticed this.
"Well, I made breakfast," Megumi said. "Let's go out on the porch to eat."
As everyone filed out of the room, Kenshin turned to Kaoru. "Ready?" he asked.
"I'll be out in a minute. There's someone I have talk to."
"Okay," Kenshin said and kissed her softly.
After he left, Kaoru stepped into the hall and went to Yahiko's room. She opened the door to see him standing by his window. He jumped and cursed when she came in.
"Dammit, Busu! Haven't you ever heard of knocking!?" he asked rudely. "I heard it works really well."
Kaoru walked to him. "What's the matter? You didn't seem too happy about me marrying Kenshin."
"There's nothing wrong," the young man said unconvincingly.
"I've known you long enough to know when you're lying," she told him. "Why aren't you happy about Kenshin and me?"
Yahiko sighed. "It sounds childish," he said. "It's not that I'm not happy that you're getting married. I'm ecstatic. But, I'm afraid-" he trailed.
"Afraid of what?" Kaoru prodded.
"That you won't be the same. That once you marry Kenshin, you're going to forget about training me and take on womanly duties or something."
Kaoru laid her hand on the boy's shoulder. "I would never stop train until you've learned everything," she told him. "Plus, it's my form of torture." Yahiko snorted and she continued. "And since when have I done 'womanly duties?' If I haven't done them by now, I don't think I ever will."
"But, what if you become pregnant?" Yahiko pressed. "You won't able to train me!"
"By then," Kaoru confided. "You will have learned everything about Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. I don't plan on having children right away, you know."
"Yeah, I guess," he mumbled.
"Don't be jealous of something that may never happen," she scolded gently. She pulled him into a hug. "Don't worry I won't about my favorite student!"
"I'm one of your only students," he muttered.
"Don't rub it in, please," she said, making a face. "Now, let's go join everyone for breakfast!"
"Okay!" Yahiko agreed heartily.
The two walked out onto the porch to here Kaoru's fiancé, he beloved Kenshin, and their friends waited. Kaoru had been right. As long as you leave tomorrow for tomorrow, you don't have to worry. You can just live your life to the fullest each day. The nicest aspect of the future us that we get it one day at a time. Love also showed that, it is only in the giving of oneself to other that we truly.
That's the end. I think I'm going to cry. This is the last chapter. I'm going to so a short epilogue, but not right now. In a couple of days or so, because I'm storied out! I used a lot of quotes in this chapter!! I'm a loser and looked in my planner for a bunch of corky quotes. I hope that everyone has liked my story and will come back to review me when I write more stories! Abane for now!
Random things:
Sumimasen- excuse me
Suika- watermelon
When the two thugs talk about Kaoru not having a husband around, they were looking at the sleeves of her kimono. In Japan, when a kimono has long sleeves, the woman isn't married. In the anime, they don't make Kaoru's sleeves long. Not like it matters. I just wanted you to know why they said that.
"The only way for us to help ourselves is to help others and listen to their stories." – Elie Wiesel
"A human soul cannot be permanently chained." – W.E.B. DuBois
"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional." – M. Kathleen Casey
"When you can't have what you want, it's time to start wanting what you have." – Kathleen A. Sutton
"The nicest aspect of the future is that we get it one day at a time." – Anonymous
"It is only in the giving of oneself to others that we truly live." – Ethel Percy Andrus