Kaoru on Call
Chapter Twelve: Her Finale
-Note- Another update! Wait…This is…The final update! L Yes, this is the final chapter of Kaoru on Call. Thank you all for the support and all the reviews. I may be entering this in a fan fiction contest, but I don't know if I will yet. Do you guys think I should? Well, I'll stop rambling! Now enjoy the final chapter of Kaoru on Call!
"Come, Battousai!"
Their swords clashed together, composing a requiem of metallic voices crying in unison from the cold steel. Red blended with black, silver with gold, spirit clashed with spirit. The two killers lashed at each other blindly, just aiming for a weak spot in their defenses.
Neither of their sword styles could help them now. One was seasoned in the arts of war fare, the other had eighteen years of lies and deceit bearing down on her shoulders. All that would be of any use was blind attacks, no style, no real target, just lashing out to get the job done.
Kenshin had received many, and dodged many, of the blows Kaoru had delivered, the same happening on the other side of the conflict. The red haired man slashed out, a sliver of cloth from Kaoru's kimono falling to the ground.
Kaoru looked at the fallen cloth, and shot her silver gaze towards the man she had been fighting for almost thirty minutes. She made a downwards slash, and Kenshin knelt to meet it.
"I think I changed my mind." Kaoru hissed before bringing her sword up and across Kenshin's abdomen and chest.
The elder man leapt back, his red gi falling from his shoulders and hung in ribbons at his waist. He ignored the searing pain from the wound across his torso, and lunged for Kaoru again.
They met each other half way, red dripping to the ground from both combatants as one or the other held the opposing blade in hand, and the sweat soaked hand of their rival clasped in the other.
"Let me go!" The female Battousai hissed.
"No." Kenshin replied, throwing his sword to the ground.
Something in her made Kaoru's grip on the katana weaken and let it fall to the ground.
Kenshin's eyes softened back to deep violet, his arms winding around Kaoru's small frame.
Her eyes stayed silver, her pupils dilating in her anger.
"Release me!" She yelled angrily as Kenshin lay his head on her shoulder.
Two different voices spoke out to the red haired man as he held the furious woman to him. One belonged to a fearless killer; the other to a terrified young woman.
"Come home, Kaoru. We need you here." Kenshin's voice was calm but demanding, strict but lenient, patient but hurried.
"Kenshin…Never!" Kaoru's tearful voice was becoming clearer, but her freedom still hadn't been guaranteed.
Is hands trailed up her spin, over her shoulders, and moved to cup her face.
"Yahiko needs his sister, Sanosuke needs someone to treat like a sister, Megumi needs company…And I…"
He look into her eyes, switching from blue to silver again. Tears formed in her eyes, some escaping and making wet trails on her cheeks.
"I need you to be here with me, Kaoru. I need you to protect me from the things that only a true love can save you from. I want to grow old with you. I want to be by your side when our first child is born. I want to be the one seeing you walk down the aisle on our wedding day."
Kenshin smiled at her, and leaned his forehead against her's.
"I love you, Kaoru."
Kaoru eyes shot back to blue, and Kenshin pulled her in for a kiss he had been holding in for two years. The tension in her body loosened, her form melting into Kenshin's arms. The hostility in the air around her faded, the copper smell of blood was replaced with iris and pine, and the sweet, warm, calming scent Kenshin had claimed all his own.
Kenshin released her lips, both of their faces flushed from fighting and the built up passions both of them had just unleashed.
"Kenshin…What…What happened to her?" Kaoru asked, staring up at him with her questioning eyes.
Kenshin stroked her sweat soaked hair, brushing some of it out of her damp face.
"You were born with her in your blood, and she came out because of the intense hate and sadness you were feeling. And only an equal and opposite reaction could banish her. Equal intensity with an opposite emotion. But Kaoru, what you must remember is that she is never going to be completely gone. If she wasn't inside of you, you wouldn't be the girl you are today."
Kaoru nodded and lay her head on Kenshin's chest.
"I'm sorry Kenshin…For everything."
Kenshin kissed her forehead, then lowered himself onto one knee once again.
"Kaoru Kamiya…Will you marry me?"
From within the shreds of his gi, he removed the small golden band and held it out for her.
Kaoru smiled and took the band and slipped it onto her finger. It was a little big, but all the more reason to love Kenshin's unceasing attempts to make her happy.
"Yes, Kenshin…I will."
………………………………...
They were to be wed at Kanada Myojin shrine(1). And while Megumi, Tae, and Tsubame helped her into her shiromuku(2), All three women shared some information about the shrine.
"Two archers guard the gates. Their names are Udaijin, who's on the right, and Sadaijin, who's on the left. I heard some monks talking about it once.." Tsubame piped, tucking the white obiage(3) into place.
"When you first enter, there is a statue of Daikoku(4) to the left. And he's sitting on two bales of rice!." Megumi stated while adjusting the obashiori(5) at Kaoru's waist.
"The entire shrine is vermilion and gold colored. It's interior is lacquer and gold Chinese designs. It's gorgeous, so I've heard." Tae said, slipping a pair of white zori(6) with black lacquered straps on Kaoru's feet.
Kaoru looked at herself in the mirror. Since her mother's was burned, Tae had given Kaoru her wedding kimono. It was solid white, even the lotus blossom embroidery was white. Tae's headdress was shaped like a child's paper boat, with a wreath of silk flowers. But, her and Megumi had worked for hours deep into the night to construct one especially for Kaoru.
It looked like a small crane was sitting on her head, bearing it's own wreath of silken flowers made to look like irises and Japanese quince(7) blossoms.
Kaoru's eyes filled with tears as she turned to the women who had made all this possible.
"Thank you, Megumi, Tsubame, and Tae. I just…I don't know what to say."
Kaoru was embraced by the three women, who sniffed and looked at their dear friend.
"Your like a sister to us, Kaoru. We'll always do anything we can to help. Now, let's get you to the wedding!" Megumi cheered.
………………………………...
They arrived at the temple three hours later. The only ones invited were Aoshi, Misao, and the other residents of the Aoiya. Megumi, Sanosuke, Tae, Tsubame, and even Hiko decided to come and watch his 'Baka Deshi' get married. Or, maybe he came just to get the sake…
The priest motioned for Kaoru to come up to the alter, then, she looked at Kenshin who knelt down beside her. He wore her father's montsuki(8) with the Kamiya family crest on it. The black haori and the black and white striped hakama were a little big for him, but he still looked as handsome as ever. The himo(9) were white and tied just about the edge of the hakama. His seta(10) made a slight noise as he knelt down and the leather soles scrubbed the wooden floors.
Their guests were set up on both sides of the temple, and stood when the priest began the purification of the bride and groom. Then, it was time for the go-between to speak.
"Where is your go-between?" The priest asked.
Kaoru and Kenshin both blushed, and looked down at the floor.
"We haven't-"
"We will be the go-between."
Kenshin and Kaoru turned around to see Dr. Gensai and his sister standing up and approaching the alter.
"Dr. Gensai…Mama Gensai…" Kaoru's eyes threatened to let the flood gates open, but the priest cleared his throat.
Dr. Gensai handed Kenshin a slip of paper, Mama Gensai assisted Kaoru in standing.
"Now, will the groom please read his oath?"
Kenshin turned to Kaoru, and smiled.
"It was almost three years go when I met you. And before I knew it, I had fallen in love with you, and I've been falling in love with you all over again ever morning I have awakened since that day. I love you Kaoru, in mind, body, and soul. I love you in all of your personalities. I vow to you, from this day forward, I will be faithful, loving, and everything you need."
He kissed Kaoru quickly, then took a nuptial cup from the alter, Kaoru following suit. Then, both Kenshin and Kaoru took the sacred Sakaki twigs and prayed over them to the gods for a safe, healthy, fruitful marriage. After they prayed, they turned to face their friends, as Kenshin and Kaoru Himura.
Shouts erupted from the room, then miko began to serve the sake for the reception the Hiko had been waiting for.
While their friends sipped sake, Kenshin and Kaoru stood up to give their thanks.
"Today, is the greatest day of all my years." Kenshin said, sitting his cup down and taking Kaoru's hand.
"I want to thank Sanosuke, Megumi, and Yahiko for being such great friends. Dr. Gensai and Mama Gensai for all the fun times. Tae and Tsubame for the great food and support, and Master Hiko for my training." Kenshin bowed and applause followed.
He straightened up and looked at his bride.
"But most of all, I want to thank Kaoru, for giving me hope, the will to live, and for teaching me to love again after all those years."
He turned to Kaoru and wrapped his arms around her.
"Thank you Kaoru…For everything."
Kaoru smiled at him sweetly.
"Last time you said that, you left." She whispered in a teasing tone.
Kenshin kissed her forehead.
"I don't plan on going anywhere for a very long time."
He claimed her lips again, and applause exploded behind them, but all was silent. Kenshin pulled away and looked at his wife, Kaoru at her husband, both looked at their futures…
END! I hope you have enjoyed the story! Please review and tell me what you thought and if this should be in the fan fiction contest! Here is a list of terms I used!
1: Kanada Myojin Shrine is located in central Tokyo. It's more than 1,200 years old, even though the current building is a replica built after a 1923 earthquake.
2: Shiromuku: a traditional white wedding kimono.
3: Obiage: a length of silk used to help hold the obi in place. Also assisted by the obijime, a decorative cord used to further secure the obi.
4: Daikoku: One of the Seven Lucky Gods.
5: Obashiori: adjusts the length of the kimono at the waist.
6: Zori: wedged sole sandals.
7: Japanese quince blossoms: a Japanese ornamental shrub of the rose family cultivated for its bright red or pink flowers and edible round white, yellow, or green fruit. The flowers are used in many different ceremonies throughout Japan and Asia.
8: Montsuki: a formal kimono which can be worn by men or women that bears a crest.
9: Himo: a pair of braided cords used to tie the kimono.
10: Seta: Men's sandals that have a surface with a texture similar to tatami mats. The soles are made of leather.