Sweet Mistake

Bells

A/N: Last chapter. Sad. If you remember, a few chapters ago I said I had a secret, and I will reveal that secret after this last chapter! So get excited, but don't read ahead! And in general, a massive, blimp-proportioned thank-you to everyone who read reviewed my story. Arigato.

Also, a GIANT apology for not updating! School started, and things just went insane… no excuse, though.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kenshin, but that Watsuki guy does, so go bother him.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

"Kaoru?" a voice called through the haze. She groaned, for some reason dreading to wake up, and rolled over onto her stomach.

"Go 'way," she mumbled into her pillow. The voice continued, though she now dragged the blanket over her head.

"Please? I just need some help with this…"

Why did she anticipate the coming day with such trepidation? It wasn't rainy, and she wasn't in the brothel anymore… then it hit her. She groaned louder.

"Kaoru? Are you alright?"

It was the morning of Kenshin's wedding.

Suddenly it was all very clear. Kaoru sat up, scowling, and threw her covers off her legs. She twisted her messy hair into a long braid and pulled a t-shirt over her tank top before heading sleepily (and grumpily) to her friend's aid.

"Coming, Kenshin," she said, and started to yawn but stopped midway through as Kenshin stepped into her line of vision. He looked… striking. His black trousers, crisp white shirt, and light violet vest made him look ridiculously handsome. His hair was down – it was never down – and hung down his back, with shorter strands in the front floating gently on his shoulders. She realized her jaw had dropped and picked it back up. "You clean up nice," she said, crossing her arms as she realized how ruffled she herself must've looked. Kenshin's cheeks tinted slightly.

"Thank you," he said. He suddenly pulled a tie out from behind his back and held it towards her a little sheepishly. "Do you by any chance know how to tie ties?" he asked. Kaoru stared at him for a moment, one eyebrow raised.

"Luckily, yes," she said, taking it from him and starting to tie it around his neck. "I'm not going to ask why you don't." she said. It was odd, she thought, as she stood behind him and reached to tie the knot in front of his throat, how matter-of-fact she was acting. In truth, she was numb. She was losing her best friend and her first love, and she didn't even know where she'd go-

She started, eyes widening. She had completely overlooked the fact that she would have nowhere to go once Kenshin was married.

"Kenshin!" she said, finishing the tie and spinning him quickly to face her. He had a terrified look on his face, as if expecting her to kiss him. "I just realized – where am I going to go now? I can't stay here anymore, not with you married – " Kenshin laughed softly, interrupting her.

"I must've forgotten," he said gently, turning to the temporary full-length, multi-angle mirror and pulling on the jacket of his tux. Kaoru put her hands on her hips.

"Easy enough for you to laugh about, but what am I gonna do!" she demanded, and she noted tears were welling in her eyes. She blinked several times until they were gone, not wanting him to see them. Kenshin adjusted his tie and turned to her, smiling a little sadly.

"No, Kaoru, I forgot to tell you about what you'll do once I'm married. Honestly, I can't believe I overlooked it, but… things have been crazy." He sighed and sat down on a bench, motioning for her to join him. Warily, Kaoru sat, leaving at least a foot of space between them. "Kaoru… when you inherited the Kamiya Kasshin style, you inherited this dojo." Her eyes grew impossibly wide as he watched her reaction, smiling. "It has been the custom of the master of the Kamiya Kasshin style since the Meiji era, the passing of this dojo. Its almost like a familial inheritance." Her eyes were filling with irrepressible tears now, and she choked back a sob. "This is your home until you pass your title of Master onto one of your students, Kaoru," he said, softly, wiping a tear from her cheek. Kaoru let go and let out a wail as she threw her arms around his neck.

"Kenshin, I don't know what to say…" she said after a moment as he stroked her head. Suddenly she realized she was crying onto his perfect tuxedo jacket. "Oh, Kenshin!" she exclaimed, jumping away from him. "I'm so sorry!" before he could make a sound, she raced into the kitchen and got a dry cloth, raced back, and was dabbing the tear-spots off his shoulder. "How stupid," she muttered, close enough for him to hear her, but tears continued to stream down her cheeks, partially in joy for having a home of her own, and partially in the great sadness of losing him. He took the cloth from her hands and dropped it on the ground.

"It'll dry on the way there," he said soothingly as she watched it fall gracefully to the ground. They were still close, close enough to kiss, but Kaoru knew that she wouldn't allow it. Not on his wedding day. He raised both hands to her face in an attempt to stop the flow of tears. "I can't say how much you mean to me," he said, voice hoarse and cracking. A fresh wave of tears rolled down her cheeks at his words, and he stepped closer, wanting to better comfort her, but holding back.

"Kenshin, please don't," she pleaded, gripping his wrists. Despite the bittersweet tang of the moment, Kenshin smiled sadly. He kissed her forehead and tucked stray strands of hair behind her ears.

"No, of course not, Kaoru," she said very kindly. He pulled away and she pulled herself together. "If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call me." With the familiar rurouni grin, he was gone. Kaoru stood for minutes afterward, staring at the doorway. Even after she had heard the car start up and drive away, she stood, watching and waiting.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Kenshin drew in a shaky breath, rubbing his hands together nervously. He stood before a packed church, waiting for the bride to make her way down the aisle. Tomoe had insisted on a western-style wedding, and Kenshin, not caring too much either way, had agreed. Beside him stood Sano, looking surprisingly slick (and yet still tough) in a tuxedo similar to Kenshin's. When Kenshin would look at him for reassurance, he would grin despite doubting the legitimacy of the marriage. Whether he knew it or not, Sano knew Kenshin had feelings for the little missy, and no doubt he was having second thoughts about Tomoe.

He had no idea that he was unbelievably right. Kenshin felt panicked; he knew in his heart that Tomoe was walking down the aisle, but for some reason when he imagined the bride lifting the veil, it was Kaoru's face he saw. He fidgted and Sano nudged him, but he ignored him irritably. He was growing more restless by the second, and wanted something, anything to happen. When he thought he could stand it no longer, the wedding march began playing on the organs, and the wide, heavy church doors opened slowly. The light from outside shone into the dark church, illuminating the woman in white standing in the doorway. There was a rumble as everyone turned in their seats and a communal murmur of awe as Tomoe, escorted by her father, began walking slowly up the aisle. Even from far away, Kenshin could tell she looked stunning. An affectionate grin took over his face despite the panic in his heart. He shut down his thoughts as he watched her make her way slowly down the aisle with her father, a small girl trailing them to make sure her veil didn't drag. As she drew nearer and nearer, he watched her face closely.

As usual, it was unreadable. Her father, who held her hand gently, bowed to Kenshin, holding his eye. Kenshin nodded, understanding the ritual of Mr. Yukishiro passing Tomoe over to him. He bowed back and took Tomoe's hand onto his elbow. Together, they turned towards the priest who began speaking, half to them and half to their families and friends.

Ten minutes in, Kenshin found that he had stopped paying attention, and that his mind was wandering along about absolutely nothing at all. He was jerked out of his reverie when he felt Tomoe press her elbow into his side very slightly. Kenshin looked around quickly, wondering if he had day-dreamed right past his I-do, when he realized the priest was still talking – commitment, love, hard work. He leaned in slightly towards Tomoe.

"You okay?" he whispered out of the corner of his mouth. She was gripping his elbow, he suddenly noticed, harder than necessary. Tomoe murmured something in response, but it was too quiet for him to hear.

"What?" he whispered back, but before she could answer coherently, the Priest had turned to them.

"Now, do you, Tomoe Yukishiro, take Kenshin Himura to be your lawful, wedded husband?"

"I…" there was a hitch in her breath, and in a second everyone in the church grew tense.

"Miss Yukishiro?" the Priest asked softly, so that only Tomoe and Kenshin could hear it.

"I…I do." The breath held by the entire church was let out, and the Priest smiled kindly.

"And do you, Kenshin Himura, take Tomoe Yukishiro to be you lawful, wedded wife?" he asked. Kenshin felt his heart stop. He couldn't go through with it.

"I-"

"I can't!" those two words rang out in the silent church, from two voices joined together. Kenshin stared disbelieving at his fiancée.

"Tomoe?" he asked quietly, turning towards her. She, too, looked equally surprised.

"Neither of us…?" she whispered, looking confused and relieved at the same time. Kenshin shook his head.

"I'm so sorry, Tomoe, but… I don't love you, not in a way to marry you."

"No no no, Kenshin, I'm sorry… I love Akira, I can't help it, I tried, but…"

"Tomoe," he said kindly, taking her hands in his own. "I will always love you. But I have to get back to her, she thinks I'm marrying you-"

"I have to get back to him!" Tomoe interjected, almost excitedly. She threw her arms around his neck. "I love you too, Kenshin… we'll still be friends, right? I want to meet her… and I want you to meet him…"

"Call me tomorrow," Kenshin said, pulling away and grasping her hands for emphasis. "I mean it."

"Of course I will." She responded breathlessly, and he kissed her cheek, and with that, they were both gone.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Kaoru lifted the bokken over her head again.

"Ninety-seven," she muttered, dripping sweat as she concentrated on nothing but the total control of all the muscles in her body.

"Ninety-eight… ninety-nine…"

But before she could finish her 100 warm-up swings, the doors to the dojo burst open, and the light from outside filled the room. Kaoru threw an arm over her face to protect her eyes and at the same time brought her bokken up in a protective stance.

"Who's there?" she demanded fiercely, so warmed-up and confused that she was ready for a fight. A warm chuckle answered her.

"So quick to defend, Kaoru," The voice said. Kaoru's eyes grew in recognition, and in a moment his silhouette stepped into her line of vision.

She dropped her bokken to the floor, where it clanked loudly in the otherwise-silent dojo.

"…Kenshin?"

"Yes." He continued to walk towards her so she could see the features of his face, from his sleek red hair to his cross-shaped scar. At last he was standing before her, smiling so broadly that her heart lifted a little.

"…you forgot something?" she asked after awhile of just staring, not daring to hope that maybe, just maybe, he was back for good…

"You could put it that way," he replied, still smiling down at her. Kaoru's heart fluttered a little, but she still felt confused.

"Um… what did you forget?"

In reply, Kenshin wrapped her in a tight hug. She squeaked, surprised by his reaction.

"Kenshin… what about – what about your wife?" she asked, refusing to let his strange behavior keep her from finding out what on earth was going on. Kenshin pulled back enough to look at her.

"We called it off, Kaoru."

"You…?"

"Tomoe and I. We called off the wedding. We both realized that it wasn't going to work. We both have our hearts set on… other people."

"Kenshin…" torn between the burning desire to ask him more questions about what happened, and the intense need to know what it meant for her, Kaoru remained silent.

"You understand what I am saying, right?" he asked, smiling tenderly at her. She bit her lip, feelings tears well up – could it really be true? – and shook her head 'no'. He lowered his face towards her and laid his forehead against her own, smiling still. "It means its okay," he whispered.

Kaoru let one small sob creep out of her throat before throwing her arms around his neck.

"You're lying," she accused, holding him tightly to herself. He grinned.

"No, I'm not."

- - - - - - - - - - -

A/N: I debated about whether I liked that ending or not… but I think I do. For the purposes I meant to serve. But…Yaaaaaay! They get to be together!

However… if you recall, Kaoru's still underage. Soooo… drumroll, please, I'm about to reveal my well-kept secret…

SEQUEL!

…

Ok, so its not that exciting, but I'm excited to write it. It'll be shorter, around 6 chapters, but it'll tie things up a bit more. And I have a few stories coming before it, so be sure to check them out. Shameless self-plugging to follow:

I have at least four stories to come in the next few months, mostly Kenshin ones with some Inuyasha in there… and who knows, I may try a Case Closed one sometime soon. But the Kenshin ones are as follows, in no particular order –

Love Is… - non-AU, the happier, cheesier side to Kenshin and Kaoru's married life.

Sweet Closure – continuation of this story, duh

Nothing to Lose – AU. Comedy, Action, Romance. Definitely not your typical AU fic. Heh. That's all I'm saying.

So I'd be much obliged if you checked some of those babies out.

I'm also doing a few inuyasha ones, possibly including a dance-themed AU. Be sure to check it out if that sounds at all appealing.

Also, note on the overall crappiness of this chapter: Tomoe and Kenshin's wedding was western-style, because I don't know enough details about Shinto or Buddhist marriage ceremonies. I know a little, but I wasn't comfortable with writing about it like I really knew. However, clearly I don't know much about western weddings, either – hey, I haven't been to one in years, and when I did go I was too young to care to pay attention! So those're my excuses.

Thank You's:

Aoi senshi – lol, thank you. I hope you enjoy this final chapter…. cringes thanks for sticking with me.

Jess-chan of the Nya Nya Neko – now that I am officially your aim stalker… lol, just kidding. Hopefully the thing I talked to you about was untrue… or I am breaking a rule or two right now. Sorry for not updating very soon (my excuse? School!), and thanks so much for being such a loyal reader.

Lynn Minmay – I don't think this chapter will be good enough to be considered something, well, good, but I'm glad you enjoyed the rest of the story, at least. Thanks for reading with me.

RK-128 – Akira in that chapter basically challenged Kenshin to a duel for Tomoe's hand, and Kenshin's like, eff that, so he just beat the crap out of him. You're right, though, I've never mentioned Kenshin's job…. heh... he DOES have one, I assure you, he's like a lawyer I think. I dunno. I knew two years ago when I started this story. Dunno if this chapter's longer than last, my formatting got all rearranged and I dunno what's long and what's not anymore… however… if you do attack… my bokken will be at hand!

-little oro- - can't get over how cute that name is… anyway…thanks for the kind review, I'm glad you enjoyed my story so much.

Sapphire-bubbles – unfortunately, the answer to your cliffhanger problem is another cliffhanger… they're kinda addicting to write. I don't mean to torture! - Thanks so much for reading and reviewing this story.

Drawkcab – haha, I'm glad that kiss was appetizing for you. I'm also glad you like my story enough to leave a review! Thanks so much!

MissyHaze – thanks so much, and thinks for reading and reviewing all along!

Wc girl – only this chapter left, sadly, but I'm so flattered by your comments! Hopefully you will enjoy the sequel just as much. Thanks for reviewing.

GreenEyedFloozy – awww, thanks! It was definitely one of the harder ones to write, so I'm glad the work paid off! I hope you like this final chapter, and stick around for the sequel! Thank you so very much for reading my story and enjoying it.

Anime-needy – thanks! Not too hard to keep up for one last chapter, but I hope you enjoyed it nonetheless.

Sulou – Kenshin apologized for kissing her, because he felt it was wrong and that he was corrupting or hurting her somehow. He had been cold earlier to keep her at a distance and safe. Aww. Heroes are so cute. I hope you liked this chapter! Thanks for the review.

Crazed T.V. Girl 18 – yep, Kenshin decided he cared for her. He definitely did all along, its just that he finally let it show. Kinda. Sorry for the mean cliffhanger! I hope this chapter is acceptable, and the wait for it not too painful. - anyways, thanks so much for reviewing all my chapters – you rock!

SparklingEmeralds – nope, not so sure this story has to end here! I hope you liked this chapter, and continue to read the sequel series, Sweet Closure. Thanks for the reviews.

Royal BlueKitsune – lol, I like how you put that. They finally kissed and nobody died. Heh. Thanks for all the reviews throughout my writing process! I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

ASKInfinity – I definitely know how it goes – life is insane, especially when school starts back up again. I'm glad your dance is a lyrical! I'm taking sooo much dance, and since it's the first week, I might die from muscle pain. But I love it - Unfortunately, no more dance in this story, but maybe some in Sweet Closure, and A LOT in my upcoming Inuyasha fic. Just watch for it, the title will totally give it away… thanks for your reviews! I look forward to them! I hope you enjoy this chapter!