Disclaimer: If Rurouni Kenshin were mine, I'd be living in this huge mansion in japan bathing in rose petal water.
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"Ugh…" Kaoru groaned as she lifted her hand to her forehead. Her head was like splitting into two and it keeps pounding non stop.
Kaoru opened her eyes and pondered for a little. Tears immediately start welling up in her eyes thoughts of her father poured into her head. Rain was pouring outside and the wailing wind made her emotions worse. Her nose was clogged up from all the crying as her eyes incessantly dripped with tears. Her room was empty and dark with no one but herself. She had never felt so alone in her life.
Soon, she started sobbing hardly into her blanket. Her eyes hurt so badly but she didn't care. She wanted her father back in her life, to tell her that he loves her, that he cares. Why did he have to die?
"K-Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin asked as he slid open Kaoru's door and saw her sobbing quietly to herself.
Kaoru refused to look at Kenshin and looked away. She didn't know what to think or what to do. She knew Kenshin didn't tell her the truth for her sake and she didn't blame him, but she was extremely grieved over her father's death.
Kenshin sat next to her and sighed. He didn't want to upset her again.
"K-Kaoru… I'm sorry." Kenshin said softly.
"Why are you apologizing?" Kaoru asked while wiping tears away from her eyes.
"I shouldn't have hid it from you, but Sano and Yahiko just had your best interest in sake. They didn't want you to be even more upset. We all wanted you to recover happily, Kaoru-dono." Kenshin explained.
"I-I know, Kenshin. I don't blame any of you. I-I just… can't…" Kaoru said as she sobbed.
Kaoru was crying so badly that Kenshin didn't know how to console her. He put a hand on Kaoru's shoulder and eventually hugged her.
"Wh-What?" Kaoru exclaimed as she felt the rurouni's body pressed against hers. His petite body was warm and comfortable and Kaoru immediately slipped into his embrace.
"Kaoru-dono, I'm sorry if I have caused you any harm or pain, but if there's anything sessha can do for you, that I will do." Kenshin said softly.
"K-Kenshin…" Kaoru said and begin sobbing into the rurouni's pink gi.
"Cry it all out Kaoru. I'm glad that I can be of use in this tough period you're going through. I saw your father before he died, Kaoru. Your father said he was sorry… And that he loves you. Kojiro was a good man, Kaoru. You should be proud to be his daughter and carry on the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu with pride and compassion." Kenshin explained while Kaoru dried her tears.
"I-I know, Kenshin. I'm just upset that I can't be there with him when he passed on, that I'm so useless that he has to die saving me. Even when I was the Assistant Master of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu, I couldn't even take down Kazuki. Tell me, Kenshin, tell me why I'm so useless!" Kaoru screamed.
"Kaoru-dono, there are all sorts of people everywhere. You might not be stronger than them, they might not be stronger than you. But ultimately, you must have confidence and faith in yourself. Didn't you take down all those people when we went to save Megumi and face Aoshi? You're a strong woman, Kaoru. Your father doesn't blame you for anything." Kenshin consoled while holding Kaoru tighter.
Kaoru didn't say anything but cry incessantly. Finally, she asked Kenshin to leave her alone so she could cool down for awhile. Exhausted as she was, her thoughts wouldn't leave her. After another round of crying, she finally fell asleep.
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After a few days of recuperating, Kaoru finally accepted her father's death. She was beginning to act normal again, cooking and teaching Kendo. Kenshin was still trying to apologize, but Kaoru refused to talk to anyone yet.
Kenshin was frustrated with Kaoru's behavior, but tried to be as patient as he could. One day, Kenshin couldn't take it anymore and walked up to Kaoru.
"Kaoru-dono, let's take a walk. I need to talk to you. It's time that we talked." Kenshin insisted.
Kaoru cocked her head in curiosity and followed Kenshin. They walked around the long road where many Sakura trees were blossoming. Kenshin stood still and looked at the fantastic view. Kaoru stood behind Kenshin and wondered what he was up to. Kenshin didn't normally become so serious.
"K-Kaoru-dono, I've been thinking…" Kenshin started.
"Oh no, this can't be good." Kaoru thought.
"I know you're trying so hard to move on with your father's death and with everything that has happened, but I wish you could be more open about it. If you want to cry, go ahead. I want to know what's bothering you. So at least I know I can't be of help." Kenshin explained.
Kenshin's eyes were full of concern and care. Never in her life did Kaoru felt so lost and helpless, but as she stared into those rurouni's eyes, she knew she was safe. Tears began to well up in her eyes as she thought about what Kenshin said. She was running away from her sadness.
"K-Kenshin… KENSHIN!!!" Kaoru shouted as she flung herself into Kenshin's arms.
She wailed loudly while pressing herself into his gi. Large tear stains formed as Kenshin chuckled a little.
"Kenshin, I'm sorry that I acted that way when you left to visit Tomoe. I shouldn't have been so selfish to get angry with you. I-I was just scared that I would lose you… I-I know that I can never replace Tomoe in your heart, and that's fine with me, Kenshin. All I want is just to know that you care for me, Kenshin… All I know is that I'll try to be there to support you in anything that you do. That I'll be strong supporting you…" Kaoru said softly while caressing Kenshin's face.
"Kaoru-dono… You have been so good to me. I can never repay you. All I want to say is… Aishiteiru. Aishiteiru, Kaoru-dono." Kenshin said as he stroked her hair.
Kaoru melted in Kenshin's arms as those little words sunk into her mind. Kenshin loves her! As she hugged Kenshin tightly, a strong wind blew and sakura petals fell to the ground. She wanted to live this moment forever. She knew her father was in heaven, smiling at her now. She was truly in bliss.
"Oi! Busu! Where are you and Kenshin going?" Yahiko yelled as he saw Kaoru and Kenshin leaving the dojo.
"To Kyoto," Kenshin said with a smile and his sakabatou slung over his shoulder.
"F-For what?! Kenshin!!!" Yahiko yelled as the two figures disappeared down the road.
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Kenshin and Kaoru walked past a willowy Oak tree and turned right. A grey tombstone stood strong in the ground. Tomoe's name and death date were all engraved on it.
"Tomoe… I've brought someone to meet you." Kenshin said as he faced the grey tombstone
Kaoru stared at the tombstone and smiled.
"Tomoe-san… Kaoru-dono and I, we have something special among us. We truly care about each other and I know you will give us your blessing. Tomoe, you will live forever in our hearts as a memory." Kenshin said as he put incense in front of her grave.
"Tomoe-san, I've finally came to see you. You're a very important person in Kenshin's heart and he even stopped killing because of you. You gave your life to stay in Kenshin's memory forever, and I respect you for that. You're such a strong woman, Tomoe-san. I promise you I will do my best to support Kenshin in everything he does and care for him as much as I can. Arigato, Tomoe-san." Kaoru said in her head.
"Let's go, Kaoru-dono." Kenshin said as he reached out his hand to hers.
Kaoru boldly grabbed Kenshin's hand and stood up. Bowing one last time to Tomoe's grave, they walked out of the graveyard feeling satisfied and happy.
"K-Kaoru-dono? I want to ask you something." Kenshin asked meekly.
"What is it Kenshin?'" Kaoru replied while meddling with her hair ribbon.
Kenshin got onto one knee and held Kaoru's hand. Fiddling with his gi, he pulled out a small box and opened it. A beautiful small silver ring was placed in it. (I don't know if there were rings in the past, but whatever!)
"Kaoru-dono, will you marry me?" Kenshin asked with as much courage he could master.
Kaoru stopped what she was doing and stared at Kenshin with her eyes opened wide. Spending a few seconds in shock, her jaw dropped and her eyes were almost popping out of her sockets.
"YES, YES, YES!!! YES, KENSHIN!!! I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS DAY FOR SO LONG!!!" Kaoru yelled while frantically jumping around and hugging Kenshin ever so tightly.
"I'm glad, Kaoru-dono." Kenshin responded.
Kaoru smiled so wide that Kenshin laughed. The two were in cloud nine as they hugged and Kenshin gave Kaoru a sweet long kiss.
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OWARI.
Thank you to all of my reviewers! You have gave me so much inspiration to finish up this story! I'd appreciate it if you review and tell me how it was! I'll get another story up sooner or later. Till then, Ja'ne!