Well, since this website unfortunately banned songfics, this story is not as half as good as it once was. The song that I did use was from the singer, song writer, and musician Loreena McKennitt, and her CD called Parallel Dreams.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything of particular value in this story.

Quick Note: This fic takes place right after the Jinchuu Arc, after Enishi did all those terrible things to the Kenshin-gumi.

Samain Night

By: Lynn

The moon was bright and full, yet some wispy clouds obscured it's beautiful scenic view. The forest they were in should have been dark, but the moon's light was their path. Kenshin and Kaoru walked together in that forest, hand-in-hand, side-by-side.

Kenshin stopped for a moment, and turned to Kaoru. He appeared to be thinking about something that seemed to be on his mind since they started their walk.

Kaoru stopped with him and waited. She knew to be patient for him, because that pause foreshadowed he was about to tell her something.

"Kaoru-dono–" he began. "You remember Tomoe, right?"

Kaoru could tell through the moonlight that he was looking right in her eyes. "Yes, of course I remember, Tomoe-san," Kaoru gave a small smile and gently squeezed his hand. Whenever Kenshin talked of his past, it was always very difficult for him. Kaoru knew this, and she wanted to give him all the support she could gather.

Kenshin nodded. "What Enishi did that day really made me think...about everything. I healed entirely from all my physical wounds, but he reopened all the inward wounds that were trying to heal. When I almost lost you..." He didn't finish the sentence, but took a deep, shaky breath.

Kaoru said nothing, only listened. But for some reason, her heart started to beat faster.

Without warning, Kenshin brought his arms around Kaoru and embraced her tightly.

"Karou," he said. "I don't want to lose you ever again."

They began to walk again, past the forest, coming to a beach. Their hands were still entwined together as they cleared the forest. The moon was clearer now, but some clouds still befogged its entire beauty.

There were some rocks that overlooked the water, and that's where they intended to go. Kenshin could get on them fine enough, but it was more difficult for Kaoru since she was in a kimono.

Kenshin noticed this, and turned to help her. With a tiny smile, he stretched out his hand.

Kaoru took it and made it over the rocks with ease.

They stood together on the rocks overlooking the beach. The waves rushed up the rocks, slightly spraying them with droplets of water.

Kaoru breathed in the scent of the water, and let her head rest on Kenshin's shoulder. This was their favorite spot to be alone. It was so ironic: they weren't really together, yet here they were...together.

Kenshin responded by pulling her closer that he had ever dared to before. Their arms wrapped around each other, and he kissed her for the first time.

When Kaoru pulled away, her heart was racing. She never felt this way before.

Kenshin never took his eyes from hers. The clouds over the moon were gone. The waves receded from the rocks. And then he said it, the words that would completely change their lives forever.

"I love you, Kaoru."

Those words were so simple, yet so complex. Kaoru felt as if her whole body were paralyzed. Did he really say what she thought he said?

Looking back into his eyes utterly answered her question.

They pulled in for another kiss.