Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is the creation of Nobuhiro Watsuki, with the manga and anime rights belonging to Jump Comics and Sony Entertainment, respectively. FF is non-profit, meant for entertainment only. FF can be archived anywhere, just let me know where. Please send no flames, I'm sensitive. But for all other comments 0o you may contact me at or through the website.
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Epilogue
Lingering touches and gentle kisses rose around him like hushed whispers in a breeze, slowly easing his tension and luring him back, deep, deep into sleep. As the soft crooning continued, caressing his senses, he sighed and completely surrendered, calming under the strange sense of serenity that now mingled in his heart. As he relaxed in the semi-darkness of his haven, continuing as he had been—for the most part—he remained, deep asleep. As the soft chanting drew to a close, a light silver bracelet was secured around his wrist, enforcing the bind on the spell just cast.
Slowly then, did an old woman with dark black hair and white streaked bangs, step away from the bed. Carefully turning to face the expectant features of a young pretty woman, who waited for her just beneath the frame of the door. As she reached her, watching her glimpse at the sleeping figure on the bed, she smiled. Before together, walking away from the bedroom and to another room, quietly, so as to not wake the sleeping male.
The elder woman paused near a window, gazing out at the clear blue sky, before turning quite abruptly to face. "The past . . ." she said, "won't intrude on him again. The spell just cast will make the dream fade away until one day he won't remember. As for the bracelet, it's merely an enforcer of the spell; he will be able to take it off after a couple of years. Rest assure, he won't remember."
"Thank you Wei."
The elder shook her head. "It's the least I could do."
"Still, I thank you."
The elder woman nodded. "Do you want me to bind your dream as well?"
"No, it's not necessary. The dream for me is just an account of what happened. I have no ill feelings." Blue eyes, glittered. "The memories of another reality were bothering him and I didn't want him to suffer over something that was my fault."
Wei nodded again. "If you're sure?"
"I am," she assured. "I love him dearly and I just rather he forget."
The old woman nodded. "Well, you know where to find me should you need something." She said, grabbing her coat, pausing at the door. As she glanced at her, knowing she would never see her again—in this life, at least. She embraced her. "Take care Kaoru-chan." She said, smiling a little as she left.
While Kaoru stood there, staring after her, as she disappeared behind the thick metal doors of the elevator—waving, Kaoru bid her one final farewell before turning and closing the door, as a small smile began to blossom on her face. Thinking, her dear husband had some rather pressing matters to attend to today.
She carefully padded back to the bedroom though she knew that his normally excellent sense of hearing was rather hindered by the side affect of the newly cast spell, she also knew it wouldn't last very long. And with the way he was, she didn't doubt he'd hear the beat of her heart if she came close enough. Biting her lip and holding her breath, she first peeked into the room. Watching him a moment, waiting for him to stir . . . Kaoru remained by the door.
Until once assured, of his sleeping still before she entered the rest of the way: careful of her step, as she came to stand at the foot of the bed. Admiring the scarlet mane that spilled over the pillows, like dark wine on pale soft covers. As her gaze, slowly began to stray, gliding over the sleeping figure of her husband . . . It seemed to linger, on the sharp facial features of his face; features that relaxed only when he slept, she thought. As her gaze drifted down a bit lower, enamored with his mouth, she sighed, gaze slightly sweeping over lips that thinned when he was angry and curved alluringly when properly enticed . . .
As her gaze continued its downward trail, skimming over softly bronzed skin and smooth planes of chest exposed now by the falling silk, that covered the taught muscles of his abdomen, she sighed. Gaze, slightly glazed as it drew over slender thighs and well toned legs, thinking, he was utterly beautiful in his current state of undress . . . She blushed several shades of red, embarrassed, obviously but not all that surprised.
He had this way about him; she'd just never been able to properly explain. But just something about the way he looked at her sometimes. Or even the way his voice seemed rumble deep in his throat—would always somehow manage to make her forget just how savage a yellow glint in his eyes could determinedly become or how terrible a veil the silent shadow of danger emanated from him still.
Not that it'd mattered but—she still figured it was an unfair advantage for him to everyday exploit. As she patted her stomach, almost absently, she smiled most lovingly at the sight of him. Knowing however fair or not, it was a part of what bound them still like their love, though old and indefinable now; was still just as precious . . . like the baby she carried inside her.
Kenshin shifted very suddenly, causing her heart to flutter so wildly, he nearly scared it out of her chest. She knew, he would be awake soon and like before, she didn't want him to catch her standing over him, again. Watching him like she so often did but as he murmured her name; abruptly, making her forget. For whatever reasons . . . a dark fiendish gleam entered her blue-black gaze as her lips began curve. Smiling at his sleeping form, she jumped on him without warning, starling him out of sleep.
As he awoke, for a moment, bewildered, at how he'd come to be caught off guard . . . His eyes narrowed, even more when felt warm curves pressed against him, shaking in a fit of giggles. Of course, he thought. Not at all pleased, he pulled on ebony locks, ready to chide the blue-eyed imp for startling him with her little wake-up call, when she turned just as swiftly latching on to him, with a strength he wouldn't have believed her possible to hold. Still, smiling against his neck, his eyes narrowed even further . . .
And a split second later, in a show of inhuman strength, she was lifted off his body and flung down onto the bed. Startled, her laughter subsided to soft puffs of breath, so warm against his face, her eyes locked on heated pools of gold; forgetting her previous train thought . . .
"You need discipline."
Was all she was allowed to comprehend before she was crushed down beneath a warm body and soft lips, aggressively claiming her mouth in a kiss that made her pulse quicken and her skin zing. As he pressed himself down further, sending tiny jolts of crackling energy down her vertebrae, he smiled and shifted further, extracting a soft moan from her—until he altered the kiss, deliberately, slowing it down, turning it into something so wanton—it swept away any resistance there might have been.
So when he pulled back, a small sound of protest escaped her lips, her small hands grasping at his neck, tried in vain to bring him back, to kiss her just that way again. She whimpered, already lost to her desire, her eyes completely darkened, blackening with such need—she clutched his hair tighter, attempting to forcefully bring him down.
When he suddenly began to laugh—thoroughly amused—he caught her wrists, in a firm hold, easily breaking from their grasp. "Bad Kaoru," he chided as he brought her hands up over her head. "What . . ." He asked slowly, "was so important you had to wake me up, hnh?" His words could have fallen over a suddenly deaf, for all she was listening to him, as she continued to struggle, straining against his hold—"Koishii." He suddenly pressed his lips against her face; curving against her jaw, as he watched her gaze refocus, training on his gaze. He pulled a bit away.
"Did you want something?"
And still, Kaoru blinked, her mind struggling past the haze of desire he'd imposed, trying to remember why she'd jump on him in the fist place. She remembered . . . she'd wanted to say . . . something or go some place—maybe . . . it was all too hazy now.
"Koishii?"
She quickly shook her head and tried to reach for him again, grasping at a few wisps of hair. He laughed, suddenly, releasing her hands as he rolled off her. She pouted prettily, huffing in frustration as she sat up. "Kenshin-baka."
He smiled at her and moved away from the bed before she became obstinate, coercing a response out of him like she so often did. He shook his head and headed for the bathroom while she stayed behind; calling him, things that weren't at all nice.
For a few seconds at least and after another long string of vilifying comments, she grudgingly left the bed. Padded across the cold hardwood floors and kicked the bathroom door hard before she headed for the kitchen. Mumbling under her breath, she jerked the refrigerator open, more than annoyed by the redheaded man. She popped a small donut into her mouth, chewing angrily on it before she pulled out the box with the rest. And sighed, as she set the box on the table, pulling out another—she shrieked and dropped her donut as strong arms wrapped around her waist.
While Kenshin laughed, keeping his arms around her in a forced embrace.
"Baka." She muttered, feeling her heart, somewhere in her mouth.
He smiled against her skin, laid a small kiss on her cheek, and spun her around to face him. Her lips parted, forming half his name before he covered her mouth in a rough kiss. A snaking arm, pulled her even closer still as the other threaded through her hair, slightly tilting her face as he slid his tongue into her mouth. She shivered then moaned, rapt by the erotic patterns he drew on her tongue, moving in a sensual dance as it swept over every crevice of her mouth . . . She purred into his mouth and was surprised when he growled in response, grasping her tighter as he molded her against him.
Until lack of air forced them a bit apart, separating with a soft, moist sound that left her all but panting, as she drew in ragged breathes. His eyes kindled, feeling his blood warm. He tightened his grip around her waist, descending on her neck, as he laid hot open mouth kisses on her throat, laving at the skin until she shuddered and held him close.
"Why the bracelet?" He asked, breath, hot against her face—just a moment or so, before he caught an overly sensitized lobe between his teeth and suckled it into his mouth. As Kaoru's eyes shut tight, willing the heat in her blood to cool, enough at least for her to respond. His mouth became all the more insistent; and as her body, such a traitorous, conspirator arched against him. His teeth scraped down her neck, biting her suddenly until she cried out, too overwhelmed by his touch—her legs buckled beneath her weight. And she collapsed, panting against his chest. As he picked her up, carrying her back to bed, she could still not remember why she'd had to wake him up . . .
· · · · ·
Hours later, after she eventually remembered though she dragged him out the door. Now as Kenshin walked along side his wife, his right hand tightly grasped by her left as they made their way into a furniture store. He looked around, a bit bewildered still by the endless rows of tiny beds and larger cribs.
'They were having a boy,' she had said and though he was six moths in coming, Kaoru didn't want to have wait till the very last second before beginning to decorate his nursery—though she'd already had the room painted with a Muriel (of all things, she'd assured him, he'd come love.) He still didn't know what do to . . .
"Kenshin?"
His inner dialogue quickly came to a sudden halt as he looked at her. Kaoru's hands smoothed over an antique crib, newly refinished with a dark colored gloss. "Do you like this one?"
He wasn't sure but—something about the way she touched it. "I like the dark cherry finish; it costs a bit more than some of the newer models but I think it's worth it." She said voice soft. "I don't want him sleeping in anything plastic."
"Take it then." He said, as Kaoru turned, peering at him closely, watching her hand glide over the rail.
"Do you really like it?" He nodded, surprisingly meaning it, before she smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist, laying a kiss against his throat. "Thank you," she whispered, slowly, pulling back, brushing his bags away from his eyes before dragging him along.
It was late in the afternoon already and they had to hurry still if they were to find the rest of the furnishings today because tomorrow, as she had already decided, would be especially dedicated to an all toy shopping expedition. Though that wasn't to say, if she could somehow manage to drag him out of bed early enough, she still wouldn't try to find the baby a small variety of clothes. With any luck, she'd have time to buy him shoes as well, she thought. Sighing a little, just thinking about his tiny little matching outfits . . .
Kenshin smiled, only guessing at her thoughts. He already sympathized with their son and all he'd have to endure with a mother with an eye for clothes. He'd intervene when necessary of course but with her temper, he wouldn't always win, not unless he cheated. He thought, smirking just a bit.
"What are you thinking?"
He raised a brow suggestively, causing her to blush and his smirk to grow large. "Hentai," she hissed softly as to not draw attention. Though as leaned forward, stirred by her accusation, her eyes grew wide and she looked almost frantically around, watching for any signs of people—"Okay," she consented.
Making him smile a bit more devious. "Okay?"
Dark-eyes narrowed. He'd schooled his features into a blank facade, useless in any case, since she see could see the mirth hiding in his eyes. "Why do I even bring you?"
Eyes glinting, he bent to whisper in her ear. "Because koishii, you can't carry nearly as much as I can." He said, as she scoffed and tried to turn away, his mouth suddenly sealed around hers, kissing her without regard to any of the salespeople who might have been standing by. As he released her, finally, taking a small step back. Noting her flushed face—nearly out of breath, as she grasped his hand mutely, turning and pulling him along, as they made their way to another section of the store. He tried hard not to smile.
At least, not until much later—hours later, actually, after they'd returned to the apartment and his hands burned raw along with several other places on his arms where he was sure the circulation had been cut off—did he finally begin to unwind.
Slowly as he set eleven bags down on the nursery floor, arms aching from the strain, did he finally begin looking over what they'd bought. As his eyes scanned over the room, drifting over the many new pieces set around the lavish crib. He couldn't help but smile. Already, she loved their son and already, had she promised him siblings—a dynasty, actually is what she'd said. Which had mystified him at first until he remembered, what she'd always said, when first revealing her name as—'Kaoru . . . like the empress.'
Which reminded him suddenly, about asking her what she'd meant; he'd been meaning to do it for the longest time now but something always seem to distract him, making him forget. Today however, he was determined to ask. And firmly decided on this, he silently stepped out of the room and into the bedroom.
"I was thinking," she said without needing to turn. "That it would be nice to move into a house, a nice residential area where our kids could play in the street, run over the neighbor's yards and run after stray dogs." She said, smiling at the thought. She just knew they were going to be troublesome little monsters. They'd always been so before, she thought, as her smile grew wider. She turned, walking over to the bed where he now lay. Regarding her with an unreadable expression on his face, that disappeared the moment her brow began to crease.
"We can move, if that's what you want."
He sounded sincere, she thought. But now, she couldn't help but wonder if that's really, what he thought. If he didn't want to move, he could just say, she wouldn't object really. There were plenty of rooms still left in his apartment. And moving had only been just a thought but still–
He seemed to guess at her thoughts as he pulled her down to him, making her yelp in surprise as she tumbled on to him. Flushing, such a nice shade of pink; he half smiled and lowered his voice to a silky drawl that always seemed to make her spine melt. As he looked at her, eyes suffusing shades of amber, coiling around her more securely than his do snaking arm around her waist. He said—"Now," setting aside her previous musing with mere tone of his voice—"Tell me about this empress you mentioned . . . back when we first met."
He was so casual, so deceptively . . . curious. Kaoru couldn't help but frown, wondering why he'd want to know such a thing, all of a sudden. But as she looked at him, seeing nothing more than mere curiosity in his gaze, she decided there was no real harm in telling him the story. She would tell it to her children after all and he was bound to hear at some point. So, nodding her head, she shifted to his side, tucking her head under his chin as she began her story; much like all stories begin.
"A long, long time ago, there was a small child, raised within the walls of a dying empire. This child, completely isolated from her birth, was slowly taught at first, the significance of her mother's blood. So that as she grew, instructed by her mother's line—the sense of one became her way of life."
"And still time passed, and as she grew. Learning of ways to lure men and extract imperial power, she had yet to realize that what they wanted was for her to one day cease that power." She said, sadly. "As more time passed and her thoughts remolded, it was instilled into her head, that one day, she would become an empress. The greatest empress her line had ever known."
And still, more time passed.
"Until one day, shortly after her fifteen birthday, she was summoned to her father side. A stranger though he was to her, she still held a sort of love for the man. And after a short bow, she took a seat in front of him. It's then that he told her she would be leaving, her marriage had already been arranged and she had but a month left, before she departed from his lands."
"She was surprised but didn't argue against his announcement. In truth, she didn't know him well enough to have dared talk back to him, unknowing of what he might do; she did as she was supposed to do. She nodded her and bowed low in respect, shortly before leaving him again."
"That last month, passed in the blink of an eye and then, as he father had said. She was sent away, her wedding gift, four personal guards to keep her safe. And so with them she traveled, guided by a soldier from her betroths domain. It was another month before they finally arrived and there she found, a kingdom, greater than she'd ever know though ruled, they rumored, by a man with no remorse. Once inside the castle walls, she heard even more distressing news, he was a widower, they had said. Six times over and as it seemed all his previous wife's had died mysteriously on their wedding night."
"She worried now, afraid, she might not be able to fend him off. As she sat there, quietly waiting in her chambers, dreading the moment her summon would soon come, she began to get a little restless. Because she knew, once that ceremony had begun, she would only be a step away from the wedding night. And by then . . ."
"A sudden knock on the door, startled her out of her thoughts as she called her permission for them to enter. The door, crept open slowly, surprising her, as instead of one guard, there entered three men: two rather older looking warriors and then a younger one." Kaoru said, smiling fondly, "by her count, he couldn't have been more than five or six years older than her, he looked awfully young . . . As she looked him, her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by one of the older men handing her a letter. Which upon its seal been broken, made the younger of the men, drop to one knee. She thought it curious but paid no further heed, turning her attention to the letter instead, she quickly realized it'd been written by her mother, shortly after she'd been born and just a bit before she'd died. In it, she explained certain rights, the bindings of this ones life and the hold she would always have . . ."
"Now, as the soon to be empress, looked at her new found pet—her protector, if she'd read the contract right, is all he'd ever be. But as she'd been taught that all men, in one way or another, were slaves to women she thought, so this one, would be too—beautiful though he might have been. He was nothing more than a slave, one who would do as she wished or cry out in punishment."
Kaoru's eyes veiled, for a moment. "He didn't know it when he first met her but her beauty hid something dark, a cruelty and temper, he would later come to know, but as it was, when they first met," Kaoru smiled, watching his eye flutter close. "He felt his heart stop. So beautiful and young, she smiled just for him and that was all it took to seal his fate. Bowing to the would–be–empress," she murmured, softly stroking his hair. "Is how the story truly began . . ."
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- Owari
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Yay! I'm finished. I hope I didn't disappoint anyone. It took me months and months of editing and rewriting but I hope all of you enjoyed it. There were are no Small Notes towards the end as it must have become obvious but I didn't want to contradict or hint towards anybody's idea of what might happen in the end.
Still if any of you have any questions, I'll be hanging around my website. So don't be shy and drop me a line. After, such a long story, I hope you don't mind if I take a couple of days off before continuing Echoes. As for Obscuring Shadows, all I can ask is for you to have a little bit more patients. That story is twisted and it takes a great deal of maneuvering around.
