Chapter 6

"Come on Kenshin, you can do it!" Kaoru encouraged frantically.

Kenshin's eyes were determined as he hung over Kaoru's shoulders like always, like they did every morning. Little by little, the rurouni felt like he was regaining his legs. He sucked his bottom lip into his mouth, chewing on it as he focused on bringing his legs beneath him. Slowly but surely, he was able to drag his legs closer. He stopped, letting out his breath, sweat dotting his forehead.

Kaoru laughed out loud, throwing her arms around his chest and hugging him tightly. "You did it! You did it Kenshin, you did it!"

Kenshin smiled and hugged her back. He nearly fell over even though he could use his torso again, his muscles were weak from the 5 months of nearly no use. Kaoru drew back and kissed him soundly. "I'm so proud of you!"

Kenshin chuckled. "Calm down koneko, I get it."

She kissed the tip of his nose lightly, and then she helped him into the chair next to the bed. That was enough for now, it was time to let Kenshin rest a bit. The redhead was doing much better, and since his emotional episode nearly 3 months ago now he had improved greatly. Each day Kaoru felt like they were getting closer to their goal, and she was so proud of Kenshin she could burst. When she massaged his legs she could feel the muscles tense and twitch beneath her fingers, where before there had been nothing from his dead limbs. And true to what she saw, Kenshin could now move them, if only a little.

He had filled out more, gaining back the weight he had lost during his depression period. Kaoru rolled him into the kitchen, where he began to help her with the meal. She too was learning, Kenshin was teaching her to cook She was doing well so far, at least according to Kenshin.

She giggled lightly as Kenshin watched her. He cocked his head. "What are you giggling at this time Kaoru?"

She giggled again, coming to settle herself on his knees, a place she had started planting herself. "I don't know if I should feed you today Kenshin."

He blinked. "Oro?"

She laughed, pinching his nose gently. "I wanted you to get back to your original weight tora, not gain extra." She patted his belly with a giggle. "Now you've got too much weight."

He gave her a look. "Are you calling me fat?"

She laughed, leaning back against his shoulder, her back against his chest. "Iie, not at all. I'm just saying that you've got a few extra pounds is all."

Kenshin shook his head in defeat. "I don't know what to do to please you anymore." He grinned. "But I do know one thing that will cheer you up." He tense his muscles, and slowly he bounced his knees, making Kaoru rise a bit.

She squealed. "You really are getting back your feeling!" She hugged him again, and faintly heard Kenshin's startled 'orooooo…', causing her to look down. The position she had hugged Kenshin in, his face was buried in her breasts. She squeaked, jumping back off of him.

Kenshin's face was flaming red, matching his hair perfectly. Kaoru's was just as red, and she stuttered. "G-gomen…"

Kenshin suddenly broke into a mischievous grin. "As much as that was embarrassing, I sure loved the view."

Kaoru resisted the urge to slap him, instead opting to glare at him with all the rage she could muster. "Hentai!"

He laughed slightly. "I am not a hentai koneko. If you forgot, we are lovers now…"

She growled, clenching her hands into fists. "Hai, but we most certainly are NOT married!" She turned away from him to continue cooking as his deep laughter echoed in her ears. "Mou!"

Sano suddenly marched in. "Hey everybody! How's it goin'?"

Kenshin nodded to his friend. "Hello Sano."

Kaoru was still fuming silently, and did not dignify Sano with an answer. The tall man instantly looked at Kenshin. "What'd you do this time Kenshin?"

The redhead held up his hands. "It wasn't me!"

Kaoru's furious voice could be heard muttering something that sounded like 'Kenshin no baka…' as Sano laughed. "Yea, sure Kenshin."

The redhead sighed, opting to give up before he dug himself yet another grave that morning. Kaoru suddenly turned around briskly. "Breakfast's almost ready, go into the other room you two."

Kenshin rolled himself after Sano quietly, seeing Yahiko sleepily rubbing his eyes near the table. Sano seated himself with a soft plop, grinning at Kenshin. "Honestly, what did you do Kenshin?"

"Nothing!" Kenshin said indignantly. "Why do you think that I did something?"

Sano grinned, putting his hands behind his head and leaning back slightly. "Oh, just the fact that Jou-chan's all huffy for no apparent reason, and you were the only one there."

At that moment Kaoru walked in, fixing Sano with a steady glare. "Drop it Sanosuke."

With an 'eep' Sano lost his confident look, instead brightening up at the prospect of food. Yahiko was snickering at the taller man, but a light bop on the head stopped that. Yahiko glared at Sano. "What'd you do that for!"

Sano just shook his head. "Kids."

Yahiko growled. "I AM NOT A KID!" With that he prepared himself to tackle Sano, but a growl from Kaoru stopped all movement.

"Just eat please," she said levelly, filling Kenshin's bowl while glaring at the two. They stopped immediately and began eating instead, both quiet and sullen.

Kenshin held up a hand at Kaoru as she extended the bowl to him. "A moment please koneko." She frowned, but put the bowl back on the table. She was still standing, and she started to sit, but Kenshin stopped her.

He took a deep breath, his hold on her hand tightening slightly. "Kaoru, I love you. You've been with me throughout the troubles of my life, and it was you that helped me see that not all was lost when I lost the use of my legs. With your help I've started to regain the ability to walk, and for that I am eternally indebted to you. And so, I ask you, Kaoru Kamiya…" he reached into his gi, pulling out a ring. Kaoru gasped, the hand not held by Kenshin flying to her mouth. "Will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

Kaoru's eyes filled with tears and she stared in shock at the redhead watching her with loving eyes. "Oh Kenshin…" she sniffled, and then smiled, sitting in his lap and hugging him tightly. "Yes, yes I will!"

Sano whistled and Yahiko clapped happily, and she looked at them. "You two knew?"

Sano nodded. "Kenshin told us beforehand. He wanted witnesses."

Kenshin slipped the ring on her ring finger with a smile and a gentle kiss on the cheek. Kaoru transferred the kiss to his lips, and then pulled back to settle her head in the crook of his neck.

Sano stood, dragging Yahiko with him. "Well, our job here is done. We'll be seeing you Jou-chan. Oh, by the way, Kenshin you old dog you, good job going straight for the breasts."

Kenshin turned beet red, as did Kaoru. "You did see that!"

Sano's laughter floated around them as he left, dragging Yahiko behind him as the younger protested his movements while swinging his arms and legs.