Kaoru twirled in front of the mirror, watching her new kimono swirl slightly around her ankles. She smiled inwardly as she tied a silver ribbon around her ponytail, remembering Kenshin's gifts to Sano and Yahiko. Yahiko had been elated; Sano had been furious.
"Why do they get clothes, while I get a little chicken carving?" Sano had cried.
"You don't wear anything else but that outfit, and the statue reminded me of you, that it did." Kenshin had answered, clearly confused. He had survived with only a large bump on his head and a distressed 'oro.
Kaoru giggled to herself and smoothed the front of her kimono before applying her cosmetics with painful deliberation. Tonight was going to be a night to remember.
Kenshin leaned against the inside of the dojo wall next to Yahiko, listening to Sano furiously pace before him. He smiled inwardly at his ranting.
"Why does it take women so long to get ready? It's just a stupid festival, it's not like a wedding or something." He stopped pacing to glare at Kenshin, "Are you not worried about being late"
"No. But tell me Sano, why are you worried about being late?" Kenshin arched his eyebrows, "Meeting someone, Sanosuke?" Sano detected laughter in his voice.
"What does it matter to you?" Sano snapped, just as Kaoru's soft voice called out.
"I'm ready." She stepped shyly out of the shadows.
Kenshin drew a sharp breath. Her kimono clung to her every curve; her hair flowed smoothly down her back in a low ponytail, and her eyes shone beneath thick lashes in the dying light. Kenshin was speechless. Yahiko threw him a half-smile, and winked, promising to cover up his silence.
"No wonder it took you so long to get ready Kaoru." Yahiko laughed, "You're still ugly." He glanced up to see Kaoru's reaction.
Her clenched fists shook at her sides as she glared at him.
"If I knew it wouldn't mess up my hair, I would kill you right now Yahiko." She spoke through clenched teeth, her eyes filling with tears.
Kenshin strode to her side.
"You know he only teases Miss Kaoru. You look beautiful, that you do." He smiled up at her as she blushed.
"Th-thanks Kenshin." She murmured as she took his proffered hand with wide eyes, and walked out of the dojo with him. Sano stared after them.
"Wow. I knew something was going on, but I never expected Kenshin to come out and do that." He muttered to Yahiko as they followed behind them.
"No joke." Yahiko replied, eyes wide with surprise.
Children ran around in ceremonial clothes, unheeded. Their parents were probably enjoying themselves and weren't worried. A few men swaggered drunkenly down the street, singing gustily and supporting each other with a free hand while the other grasped a bottle of sake.
Kaoru gazed around her at the lights and festivities like she was seeing the world for the first time. Kenshin only watched at her, and when she glanced over at him, he smiled.
"Do you like the festival Miss Kaoru?" He asked.
"Oh, it's so wonderful! All the bright lights and colors! You can't tell this is the thousandth time I've been to one, can you?" She laughed.
"No." He laughed with her.
"I can't wait until they start the music and everyone starts dancing. It's so wonderful to see all the ladies dressed up nice and the men looking so handsome." She giggled.
Kenshin started at the jealousy that shot through him, and he quickly pushed it away, knowing that she was just admiring.
"Oh! Look at how they lit up the dance floor!" Kaoru gasped and dragged him through the crowds towards it.
"Oro!" He cried as he was smacked this way and that by the throng.
Suddenly Kaoru stopped, but Kenshin could not halt his momentum and careened into her.
"Kenshin, slow down!" She scolded him before turning back to the dance floor.
Kenshin recovered himself and looked with her. Lights were strung around the floor, which had been waxed to its ultimate shine. The band was starting to set up in the far corner, and as others noticed, they began to mingle on the dance floor.
"Oh Kenshin, why don't we"
"Go find Sano and Yahiko? Exactly my thoughts." Kenshin interrupted and turned to go find them. He didn't feel ready to embarrass himself on the dance floor just yet.
He started back the way they had come, Kaoru standing behind him, looking dejected. '... dance?' Kaoru finished her sentence in her mind as she grumbled and took off after him.
Kaoru sighed inwardly as her partner spun her around. It seemed she had danced with every man on the dance floor, even Sano and Yahiko - except, of course, for Kenshin. She glanced over to where he sat on the steps in his usual pose, sakabatou propped up against his shoulder. He leaned against a pillar, head back and eyes closed.
Finally the song ended, and, after bowing thanks to her partner, she glided over and sat next to Kenshin. He made no sign of recognition.
"Are you going to sit here all night Kenshin, or are you going to dance?" She asked, agitated.
"I am very bad dancer, that I am." He responded, sitting up and turning to her, "You would not want me as your partner Miss Kaoru." He smiled.
"And what if I do?" The question burst from her lips before she could stop it. She covered her mouth with a hand, "I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell like that." She lowered her eyes.
"I understand. I have frustrated you, have I not?" He said, as he stood and held out his hand to her. Another song was starting in the background.
"I don't want to make you, Kenshin..." her voice trailed off as he swept her onto the dance floor.
"Although, you will have to lead. I have never danced before, that I haven't." He grinned, eyes shining brightly.
"Alright." She sighed, smile taking the sting out of her words.
Sano took another gulp out of the cup of sake in his hand. He looked over his glass at Yahiko and cocked an eyebrow.
"You sure you don't want any?" He drawled.
"Naw, that's alright Sano, I'll pass." Yahiko answered, clearly distracted.
"Hey, what's wrong"
Yahiko glared at him and remained silent.
"Come on... you can tell me"
"Tsubame's not here." Yahiko finally sighed, "No girl my age is here." He grumbled.
Sano leaned over and thumped his back, laughing.
"Don't worry! There's plenty of older, prettier girls willing to dance with you." He teased.
Yahiko muttered to himself and turned his eyes to the dance floor.
"No way!" He whispered, his eyes widening with surprise.
"What?" Sano shot him a confused look.
"Check it out!" Yahiko laughed, elated.
Sano turned and saw, to his surprise, Kaoru and Kenshin walking out on the dance floor. He laughed as he watched Kaoru direct Kenshin where to stand and move, while Kenshin looked bemused.
"Well I'll be! Kenshin finally built up the courage to ask Kaoru to dance." He whistled.
"Either that or Kaoru threatened to have his head if he didn't." Yahiko joked, leaving Sano in fits of laughter.
'Well,' Kaoru thought to herself, 'he said he's never danced, but once he gets the hang of it'
"Having a good time Miss Kaoru?" Kenshin asked, breaking her thoughts.
'I'm dancing with the man I could only dream about this morning. How could I not'
"Of course Kenshin." Kaoru smiled back, color flooding her cheeks.
"What's wrong?" He gazed into her eyes, clearly concerned.
"Oh, nothing, nothing's wrong. Everything's perfect." She watched him through her thick eyelashes. He was staring at her, and that made her blush even more. Noticing, Kenshin turned his eyes away to watch the other dancers. He caught sight of a pair dancing a ways off; she was giggling as he traced her face with his fingertips.
The song ended abruptly, and Kenshin dropped his hands to his sides and bowed deeply.
"Thank you for this lovely dance Miss Kaoru." He said and walked away as the next song began to play.
"But Kenshin..." her voice trailed off as she watched him disappear amidst twirling figures.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Go catch him!" Sano muttered to her as he danced past with his partner, giving her a light shove in Kenshin's direction. Kaoru needed no more urging.