Hello everyone! Thanks for the warm welcome back… You have no idea how much I appreciated all your words. I don't have much else to say other than that I hope you like what you read. Ciao! Review responses will follow the story ).
Disclaimer: Uh... do I really need to say anything? ...I didn't think so...
Chapter 21
The sun was leaving the sky as the hours of the day drew late. Soon, the stars would make their visit just as they did yesterday and the days before.
One more day… one more hour, and one more minute to take a breath. It had been a good number of months since he came across Tokyo and the group of thugs surrounding a young woman, one whom he found now at the center of his mind on a more than daily basis.
One breath, one word, one stolen glance from her was enough to take all semblance of rationality from his thoughts. It healed him to know that he'd have both the courage and time to tell of what he desired to the woman he just saw. He had walked byan open door, stopping a little further down the hall for a moment.
The sight of her smiling, talking, and laughing with a group of women in the kitchen warmed his thoughts, even more since they concerned her. When he hadwalked by, he wished he could have just ran into the room and gotten the weight off his chest already, but he knew he couldn't since there were others ready to listen. He wanted his words to be for her ears alone, and not anyone else.
Should I call her out of the room… should I speak to her now? Kenshin continued his walk, passing another door, this time the form of the elder Oniwaban flitted across his peripheral vision. He was planning on sitting in his room, taking a few minutes to sort through his thoughts, and coming out when he knew what he wanted to say. I don't want to say too much and scare her away, but I do want to be honest. I wonder how she will respond…
"What!"
A voice yelled from down the hall, coming from the direction Kenshin just came. Okina came running out of his room in alarm. A loud holler of laughter followed the earlier exclamation and the elder found himself sending the rurouni a mutual look of confusion before they both started toward the kitchen. There in the room stood a red-faced Kaoru with her hands covering her mouth and Omasu holding a wooden spoon that hovered above a hysterical Misao who was rolling on the floor, her arms wrapped around her stomach. The young ninja was laughing and laughing very hard. Her eyes were squeezed shut, yet tears still managed to stream down her reddened cheeks. She stopped rolling and found a fetal position to be better for her uncontrollable laughter.
"What's going on here?" Okina asked, a small smile of confusion appearing beneath his white mustache. Kaoru looked up to the people at the door and her eyes, once they fell on Kenshin's face, seemed to widen and her face reddened deeper.
"Nothing, Lord Okina…" Omasu smiled, trying to hide any bit of guilt from off her face as she hid the spoon behind her back.
The youngest of the group lifted her head from the floor and saw Kenshin at the door; a large grin soon spread across her lips.
"Oh, lookie Kaoru, it's Himura!" Misao burst out, the silence once again being filled by her more than spirited laughter. Omasu slowly began to bring the spoon from behind her back; her eyes told of how much she wanted to quiet the young girl for causing such a big scene.
"Um, hi…" Kaoru managed to say as took one of her hands from her mouth, waving it softly at the two men still watching them.
"It appears they're just having fun," Okina said, a playful glint in his dark eyes.
Omasu rolled her brown eyes, finding the lecherous tone of the old man to be the last thing she needed that day. "We were just leaving, weren't we Misao?"
The laughing stopped and Misao looked up at the older lady, her eyes honest. "No we weren't."
Apparently, that wasn't the answer Omasu wanted to hear and what followed was a resounding "whap". Misao winced and started to nurse the bump forming on the back of her head with both of her hands.
"Guess we were leaving," Misao mumbled to herself as she got up from the floor. She threw Omasu a mock smile just before she made her exit past Okina, who in turn was shaking his head.
"Such violence." He said, trying to hide the smile that was wanted to come to his face.
Kenshin was at a loss, not knowing what to make of the situation. And from Kaoru's reaction to his presence as well as Misao's outburst, he knew he was connected somewhere in the middle of it.
Omasu moved to put her spoon down on a table near the door, but at the last minute she pulled her hand back, deciding it best to keep 'the wooden spoon of discipline' at her disposal. After all, she wanted to make sure Misao didn't stick her nose where it didn't belong.
"Let's go," Omasu told Okina. The old man followed her out but not until he gave Kenshin a wink, nudging his bearded chin in Kaoru's direction.
In the blink of an eye the chance to talk to Kaoru arrived. There they were, standing alone and face to face.
"So…" Kenshin started.
"So…" Kaoru repeated. Like a sack of potatoes, it hit them; the sudden awkwardness of their predicament heavy in the air. Kenshin mentally kicked himself, trying to get his mouth to open up and speak as the silence stretched further… and it didn't help that Kaoru wasn't looking at him. He relied on the strength he saw when she'd grace him with a look… just a simple look.
"I'm sorry," he said, causing Kaoru's eyes to find him as her head moved in an inquiring tilt with a slight, yet cute, crease in her brow.
"Why?" Kaoru asked, the moment before being pushed to the back of her mind at the hurt expression Kenshin slowly began to show. She wanted to touch his face with her hand, smooth the worry that came to his otherwise perfect face. Even the scar he wore told of a caring man, one who took it upon himself to yield a sword of war so others would be spared its bitterness. He fought so that others wouldn't have to, yet for all his kindness he was wounded… She wanted to feel the lines cut into his cream skin; she wanted to soak into her own fingers as much of its meaning, praying and hoping of easing the pain that still lingered…
Say it, now's your chance… Take it!
"I haven't been true…" Kenshin licked his lips and closed his eyes, finding his way through the mess of words that filled his mind. He took another breath to calm himself enough to continue and opened his eyes. Kaoru's wide-eyed expression made him smile.
"I haven't been true to you, Kaoru."
Kaoru's brow furrowed a bit like before at the words, her face in soft disbelief. He called me 'Kaoru'… just Kaoru… Her mind couldn't help but point out that small detail out, the joy of it elating her heart. Yet still, she needed to know what it was he meant by it all. Is it true? Is he going to ask me to…?
"My sensei Hiko, the man who visited me this afternoon, asked me something. He asked whether or not I visited someone's grave during my stay here." Kenshin could see that the frown on Kaoru's face began to lift, yet still her face remained inquisitive.
"Tomoe," Kaoru whispered, remembering the sight of a rain-drenched Kenshin near the marked grave.
Kenshin nodded and continued. "I told him yes… and that I wanted to pay her another visit before we leave Kyoto. It'll be the last time I go there." Kaoru could only listen, knowing somehow this was much different from what she had expected.
"Your last visit? Kenshin, wha…" Kaoru started only to be stopped as Kenshin took her hand in his and, as if in response to her secret thoughts, pressed it to his cheek, her fingers cold against his warm scarred skin.
"Come with me," he whispered, his eyes heavy with emotion as he leaned his cheek further against the smooth palm of her hand. "I need to tell her goodbye and the only way I could do that is if I have you by my side." Kaoru bit her bottom lip as she watched his eyes close.
His first love… He wants to let her go… But why? Kaoru's mind kept on repeating to her, not thinking of herself at the moment.
"Please," Kenshin said stepping closer to her, her hand growing warm against his cheek and under his hand. He opened his eyes, holding her still with his steady gaze of violet; its open sincerity made her heart melt within her.
Kaoru couldn't keep her bottom lip from trembling or the tears from coming to her eyes. In raising her other hand, Kaoru placed it on the other side of his face, cupping both of his cheeks. She saw the emotion on display behind the man's eyes and she bit her lip again, trying harder to keep it from trembling.
"Oh, Kenshin." She whispered, his name coming out along with a few tears. The tiny droplets left trails of descent as rolled down her cheeks to where they met at the edge of her chin.
"So, will you come with me?" Kenshin asked, his voice just soft as her own whisper.
Her eyes roamed about his face, taking in each earnest detail left out on display. She let her hand move from his other cheek to smooth away the few strands of red hair that kept his eyes hidden from her, the intensity of his genuineness displayed within the depths of dark mauve. With a smile she answered, "Of course, I will."
A tender smile lay below closing eyes, his face relaxing further under the combination of her words and touch. With eyes still closed, he let his lips slide over to where he still held Kaoru's hand, brushing a feather-light kiss in the middle of her palm.
All time seemed to stop as the simple action left Kaoru breathless. Yet, as one could expect, that moment soon ended.
"Ahem," someone's throat cleared behind them.
Sano stood leaning against the door's frame, a large grin spread over his face, and his brown eyes brimming with mischievous thoughts.
Kaoru stepped away from Kenshin, removing her hands from his face. The cold of the room quickly took the warmth of the moment, making her shiver unconsciously. Without a thought, she rubbed her hands together, no doubt from the absence of heat from Kenshin's skin… and kiss. Sano came into view as she lifted up her head, the sight of him still a little blurry behind her teary eyes. Bringing up her hand, Kaoru wiped her eyes and smiled demurely at both men present, finding her way past the lanky form of the street fighter without a word. She paused just outside the door and gave Kenshin a quick, yet lingering smile, one which he returned. With that she disappeared down the hall.
Sano picked up on Kaoru's tears and frowned, a stern look pushing his playful smirk aside. He wanted to ask something, but instead he stood there, folding his long arms over his chest. Kenshin's eyes were just as glossy as those of the young assistant sensei and this realization softened the taller man's expression. I can't ask him what happened between him and the missy… From what it looks like, it was pretty personal. And not to mention mushy. I think I get enough of that from Megumi. He smiled as Kenshin's eyes focus on him; the rurouni's eyes were now dry after having been wiped by a shirt sleeve. I'll ask him later, when I can catch him off guard.
Kenshin smiled, his eyes easing up on the unrepressed emotion that made an appearance just a short while ago. He quickly noticed the bandaged hand of the street fighter standing before him, the fight from a few days ago crawling back from the depths of his mind.
"Is your hand alright, Sano?"
"Yeah, it's just a few scratches anyway. No big deal…" His broad shoulders shrugged, causing his white shirt to lift with the motion. Kenshin smiled genuinely, finding his mind to be lighter than before after having spoken to Kaoru.
Sano noticed the far away look in the other man's eyes and smiled to himself. "You okay, Kenshin?" He asked, not hiding his smile one bit.
"Yes," a wistful smile surfaced on the rurouni's face, his eyes glazing over in the warmth of his thoughts… He couldn't help but remember the feel of Kaoru's racing pulse as he kissed her hand just a minute ago. Her scent of jasmine still hung luxuriously about him, helping him maintain his smile.
A large fit of laughter suddenly cut through the room, and Kenshin snapped out of his daze to see Sano holding his stomach with one hand and pointing at him with the other.
"You crack me up, Kenshin!" The street fighter grinned between his chuckles. Once confusion reached Kenshin's face, Sano started laughing even harder. "HA! You are head over your heels for that girl and you don't even know it!"
"Oro?" Kenshin said, his confusion increasing tenfold.
"You…" Sano had to take a breath, his laughter bringing tears to his brown eyes. "… are so dense you put me to shame!"
This comment didn't help Kenshin one bit… It made his frown grow deeper. It also made him question the younger man's sanity as well. Yet finally, a little light was shed on what was going through the brunette's mind…
"Kaoru loves you Kenshin, and you love her too. Tell me you don't and I'll stop." Sano managed to control his laughter enough to look at Kenshin seriously. Kenshin, realizing the meaning behind Sano's crazed, laugh-filled rant, fixed his eyes on to the floor as a shade of red grew on his cheeks.
"Ah-ha!" Sano yelled, pointing his finger at the rurouni once again. "Then what's the hold up?" Sano paused, remembering the position he found them in when he interrupted them a short while ago. He thought for a second and smiled, "You dog, you." Reaching out Sano grabbed Kenshin's head in a headlock, and gave his hair a quick ruffling. "So you finally did it!"
"Did what?" Kenshin managed to ask, his face buried into the not-so-pleasant smelling spot in Sano's shirt. Letting him go, Sano looked at him with slight puzzlement.
"Propose, of course… What else?"
"…"
A few seconds passed and still nothing came from the rurouni's lips. "Are you alright there, Kenshin?" Sano blinked at the wide eyed Kenshin whose complexion suddenly when a few shades lighter. All color left his face, scaring Sano to the point of shaking the rurouni's shoulders to get him to talk.
"I…
propose?" Kenshin's managed to squeak out, his lips barely moving.
"Yeah," Sano nodded, acting as if it was a well-known fact. "Megumi told me earlier that you were thinking about it. What's the big deal?"
"Where did she get…? Propose?" Kenshin asked again, the color returning to his face with force, reds and pinks finding the surface once again. "She's a wonderful woman… I just don't think I'm ready…"
Sano slapped Kenshin on the back rather hard, making the rurouni step a couple feet forward. His hand rested around the redhead's shoulders as he blew a short whistle.
"Man, I know this situation all too well." Clearing his throat he held up three fingers from his free hand in front of his and Kenshin's faces. "You see, I've been with Megumi for close to three months now and she already wants me to pop the question. I'm only 19 and she wants to be married within the year." Sighing, he continued his story. "I'm too young for that, Kenshin… but Megumi considers herself an old maid now that she's reached 22."
"I wouldn't say that. She's still very young, that she is." Kenshin answered, looking up Sano. Sano nodded his head in agreement, rolling his eyes before speaking up yet again.
"Yeah, I've told her that many times, but she always just gets upset." With that said, he got quiet. "I hate when that happens. Just like any woman, she gets this look in her eyes and then… it gets me… right here." He said as he slapped his chest lightly in the location of his heart.
Kenshin stayed silent, knowing full well that hurting a precious someone was painful, yet he was shaken from his thoughts as Sano slapped him on the back once more.
"Well, my friend. You have no excuse. You are older than both me and Megumi and you're not getting any younger." With a shake of his head, Sano left the room and the rurouni with a smile. Kenshin's eyes followed the man out and stayed staring,
I'm just starting to get my mind straight… Am I ready to think of marriage already? Kenshin stood in thought. His mind began to wander more freely at the suggestion, bringing up pictures of what he could imagine happening if he were married to Kaoru. He closed his eyes and delved into his imagination as images flooded the forefront of his mind, jumping at the chance of showing him the life he could have.
He saw himself, holding Kaoru's hands protectively with his own as someone in front of them spoke some words he couldn't hear too clearly. He was staring into her eyes and she, with a soft glow upon her cheeks, regarded him with mutual adoration.
The scene faded into darkness as he found himself sitting up in a room with a blanket draped over his legs as if he were ready to sleep.
Something stirred next to him and he looked on with adoring eyes upon the figure of a sleeping Kaoru, tucked away under the covers they shared. Her hair flowed like a dark halo around her head as she slept silently, her breath gentle and quiet. He slid under their blanket and felt the immediate warmth of her body beside his. At this, with thick lashes already weighing down her tired eyes, she smiled at seeing him, his face a mere couple inches from her own. Her cheeks were rosy, glowing beautifully against her already perfect face. She leaned in, closing the space with her flushed, full lips…)
Kenshin didn't notice the sigh he let pass on over his lips as he opened his eyes. Immediately, his mind took notice of how hot his face was. Only when he touched his forehead did he know it was a reaction to his mid-day dream. Embarrassed and slightly ashamed at his particular thoughts, he looked around to see if there was anyone around to see the guilt cross over his face. He was alone. Relieved, and not knowing what to do with himself, Kenshin walked to where he knew people would be busy working in the business part of the Aoiya.
For the rest of the day he kept to himself, as much as he could while assisting the Oniwaban with the up keeping of the Aoiya. The few hours that remained between daylight and dusk went by rather quickly, and the next thing he knew, Kenshin was sitting at the table eating dinner with everyone just as before. Yet this time Kaoru sat a seat away from him, Misao taking up the spot beside him. The energetic little ninja would often say something and pat the rurouni on the back in her excitement, one time causing him to choke on a pickle. Everyone stared at the scene with little interest and when Misao tossed a quick apology his way, everyone went back to their meal and the teenager just before continued on with her story.
Kenshin was thinking to himself yet again, his mind mulling over the words Sano imparted upon him earlier that evening. With this in the back of his mind he'd find his eyes following Kaoru's hand as she picked at the food at the table, wondering what could be going on in the mind of the woman to which that hand belonged.
Unbeknownst to her, Kaoru's thoughts ran along the same line as the thoughts of the redheaded samurai. Slowly picking away at the food without interest, her mind took her places while her eyes remained unfocused, staring off into space.
The meal was winding down when Okina stood up, straightened his clothes, and cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention except for the chattering Misao who kept on jabbering on about a squirrel she and Yahiko found earlier that day. The elder cleared his throat yet again, this time a little louder, and sent the young girl a stern look. She smiled, guiltily as she sank in her seat, keeping her eyes averted toward Okina and away from all the reprimanding looks everyone else graced her with.
Choosing his words carefully, the elder Oniwaban member opened his mouth. "Tonight's dinner is a special one."
Knowing smiles sprouted all around the table, save for two. Kenshin and Kaoru, separated by Misao, didn't know that they wore the same look of genuine interest and curiosity at the announcement being made. All waited for Okina to continue, and continue he did.
"Tonight we celebrate the engagement of Kenshin and Kaoru!"
With that, Misao caught the shocked couple with her arms, each in a headlock spun by excitement.
"Oooooh, I'm so happy for you guys!" Misao said, giving their heads a quick squeeze. Kenshin found it hard to breathe, not just because of the skinny arm cutting off his air supply, but because of the news that first stole the air from his lungs. Kaoru was in a similar state as the room burst with the noise of merriment, the women gushing over the "news" and the men nodding their approval.
Not a word was asked of them during the rest of the meal as everyone else spoke among themselves, leaving them out of the conversation buzzing around them. Kenshin couldn't see Kaoru's face because Misao continued to block it from his view, the young girl chattering on just as before. He wanted to see her eyes in the hope of getting a glimpse into the thoughts taking hold of her now, wondering if they were along the same lines as his own. He shook his head, shoveling the last bit of rice and vegetables from his wooden bowl and into his mouth. At that he looked around at the others settled about the long dinning table and came upon the form of Sano, listening with half interest to what Megumi was saying as he forced more food than normally possible into his mouth. The chocolate orbs of the taller man met the pleading violet ones of the samurai, and finding himself unable to offer any help, he lifted his shoulders in a sympathetic shrug.
He rose to pick up his bowl along with other plates yet Omasu shooed him away, telling him that she and the other girls would finish clearing the table. Feeling a little lost as to what to do, trying to find a way to ease away the awkward air that befell them upon the "announcement".
The announcement… that was it! Kenshin knew he had to clear the air and get the facts straight before everyone in Kyoto believed he and Kaoru were engaged.
"Where is Lord Okina, Miss Misao?" The rurouni asked the petite ninja. Elbow deep in cleaning the table, she grumbled something, the only coherent part having to do with her having dish washing duty. Kenshin quirked an eyebrow and waited for an answer.
"He's outside talking to Lord Aoshi, I think." She lifted a hand to scratch her nose and smudged a good amount of some indefinable sauce on it.
"Thank you very much." Kenshin said, smiling inwardly at the situation. He was about to inform the young girl about her nose, yet he kept it in, thinking it good to pay her back for her headlock earlier that evening.
Misao's guess was right, and Kenshin found the two men, heads of the Oniwaban in their own right, sitting on the porch speaking quietly. Aoshi was the first to turn, sensing Kenshin's approach just as soon as the former hitokiri stepped foot outside.
"What can we do for you, Battousai?" The black haired man asked, his voice and eyes as cool and impassive as ever.
"I needed to speak to you about tonight. It seems there has been a misunderstanding of some sort." Kenshin started, his hand reaching back to rub his neck out of embarrassment.
"Go on Himura. But your concerns aren't needed. If your thoughts are around your sleeping arrangements, I took care of all that. Miss Kaoru's futon has been moved to your room as well as all of her belongings." Okina's dark eyes glittered in pride at his news.
"I, uh…" Kenshin started, only to blink a couple times as what Okina said sunk in. "What?" Aoshi stood up from and tossed the rurouni a look, one neither of disproval or approval. Yet his words went beyond their simple meaning, bringing about a sense of acceptance from the Oniwaban leader.
"Okina, Christians do not sleep together before the marriage ceremony."
The rurouni didn't notice that Okina didn't exactly respond to the comment, instead he nodded his head in agreement with the kodachi wielding ninja. Christians were a chaste people, yet to be named among them yet again lightened Kenshin's heart a little more, the label more of a joy than a burden. Then it dawned on him… He didn't know the first thing to courting a Christian woman let alone any woman for that matter. His experience with Tomoe was of a different nature; a very different nature. He and his late wife were thrown together among the bloodshed flooding the streets of Kyoto and there, he had come to understand what it was to love.
Shaking his head he noticed that Okina was getting up from his seat, his head turned toward the taller, dark haired man as he spoke something. Their voices hushed as they continued their conversation, the same one that Kenshin had walked in on. The rurouni's sharp hearing caught the weight of one word, a name, which turned his attention to them.
"If I may inquire, what is it this news concerning the Doshisha?"
The Oniwaban members looked at one another as if they were debating whether or not to tell him, yet in the end they turned solemn faces to him. Okina opened his mouth and then closed it, and threw Aoshi a look. The younger man began at the sign.
"The police had set up a watch team near the Doshisha's school late yesterday, and we've just received news that four of the seven officers patrolling the area were taken to the hospital in the last hour with serious injuries." Aoshi stopped for a second, regarding the rurouni's reaction with unseen interest. Even in the late hour, the darkening of Kenshin's eyes didn't go unnoticed by the skilled ninja. "Hajime Saitou told us not to tell you, yet it seems that you're more involved in this than any of us could be, now that you identify yourself as one of them." Pushing back his fear for his fellow men and women in faith, Kenshin narrowed his eyes, a hint of light glimmering dangerously in the night.
"I am involved, no matter what Saitou or anyone else may say." His voice was low, bringing Okina to suddenly shiver as if catching the end of a breeze passing through the yard.
"Do whatever you may, Battousai. It is no one's decision but your own to engage in this issue. Just remember, one man alone cannot change the fate of the world."
Kenshin said nothing, but nodded his head in acknowledgement as the other two men began to walk away. Aoshi words only added one more thought to the many fighting for attention in the rurouni's overly worked mind.
"Get some rest, Battousai. We'll speak of it more in the morning." Okina added a little further down the porch. Kenshin bowed his head with a short nod, his brow automatically furrowing as he was left alone.
He was given so much to think about that day that he started to feel the tug of fatigue drawing him to the act of a more basic instinct. He yawned. He needed to sort out how he wanted to approach Kaoru with his feelings, all of which he felt grow more heatedly with every thought he had of her. She was an angel, a beauty and mind far beyond his imagination. Even when she wasn't acting the most lady-like, he found her to be very endearing. With everything she would do or say, unbeknownst to her, she stole his heart away.
The moment they shared earlier that afternoon played in his mind. The feel of her hand against his face, the feel of it as he brushed his lips against its smooth skin, and the warmth of those minutes as they drew closer, inching their way nearer to the other. And to warm his thoughts even further, he revisited the sound of her answer to his question. "Of course, I will." Sighing, Kenshin ran his hand roughly through his hair. What a gracious woman he met. She saw the pain he felt, and from the way she looked at him, he could tell she wanted to bear as much of it as she could in order to ease its weight from his own shoulders. And in going with him to Tomoe's grave, he would be giving her a piece of the tragic past that haunted him.
Did he really want to subject her to such horror? For all that she did for him; wouldn't it have kinder to spare her what followed him so mercilessly for so many years? His life as a Hitokiri wasn't one framed in glory and honor, but rather in torturous guilt and blood. The shadow of his thoughts from before began to lay hold of his mind, yet he shook it away by thinking of the words Kaoru sang so many nights ago. It was an amazing grace that brought him thus far, allowing him to reach the point where he imagined what life could be like in the future… a life with Kaoru.
He decided to head off to bed, thinking about each issue as they rolled around to the forefront of his mind. As he neared his room something dawned on him.
"Didn't Okina say something about my room…?" He said out loud, his hand lingering on the door as his eyes took in the state of his room. Instead of the solitary sight of his futon set near the back of the room, another mattress was spread beside it making a larger bed. Clothes, too flowery and petite to be his own, were folded neatly beside the small lamp burning in the corner of the room, its light casting a warm, orange glow to the otherwise darkened room. "Now I remember," Kenshin said quietly, a sigh escaping him as he hung his head down, his chin resting on his chest.
In another part of the house in the room shared by the female visitors from Tokyo, Kaoru paced about the floor, biting nervously at one of her thumb nails. Megumi, lying comfortably on her bed found it hard to close her eyes and keep them closed with the pounding of the other's feet jolting her awake every time she thought sleep claimed her.
"Hey, Kaoru…" Megumi said, getting the attention of the younger woman.
"Huh?" Kaoru stopped in her pacing, her thumb still in her mouth.
"Would you quit it? I'm trying to get some beauty sleep here." The words made Kaoru frown deeper, finding it hard to think if she stood still. Kaoru stopped and threw her arms down to her side, signaling to Megumi that she was about to hear some whining. The doctor didn't know what was worse, Kaoru's complaining or her stomping steps shaking the floor.
"But what should I do? I mean," Kaoru signaled to the empty spot where her bed once lay, "my bed isn't exactly here for me to sleep on it, is it?" With that she resumed both her walk and biting of her nails.
Frustrated with the girl, Megumi rose from her bed, her hair a mess from tossing around for the last half hour of Kaoru's nervous walk. She glared as much as her tired eyes would allow her until she got up, and tightened the belt of her light blue yukata. With a sigh, she walked over to the nervous mess that known as Kaoru and grabbed her shoulders and pried the door open with her foot.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Kaoru half shrieked, finding the older woman pushing her out the door.
"You know where your bed is, Kaoru. Just be an adult about it and sleep in Kenshin's room. It's not as if you guys haven't slept in the same room before." Megumi said as she blocked the door from the inside as Kaoru's face displayed slight dismay.
"But, but…" Kaoru was cut off as Megumi stepped out of the door and pushed her further down the hall toward the corner where Kenshin's room was situated just beyond the bend.
"Just go and get the night over with. Besides, you're engaged." Megumi said with a final shove.
"No I'm not!" Kaoru said, turning around to glare at the other woman who just stood there, taking in the information. A second later, Megumi simply shrugged.
"Oh well, you might be by the end of the night, so shoo!" Her hands motioned the air away from her, making for the girl to get on her way. Finally, with a shake of her head, Kaoru started down the hall, her feet dragging with every reluctant step.
Whenthegirlwas gone from her sight, Megumi took a second to sigh before returning to her room. But before she reached it she heard a low whistle coming from another part of the hall. Sano emerged from the shadows with a small pot flung over his shoulder, his eyes finding Megumi's state of dress interesting.
"What do you want, Sano?" She asked, her wine hued eyes rolling as he lazily walked up to her.
"Just enjoying a midnight snack, that's all." He leaned in, his smileas plain as day."And I'm not talking about the sake." He winked at her, bringing her to slap him lightly on the chest at his comment.
"Go to bed already, rooster-head." At her command, he stepped a little closer to her, his breath sweetly warm.
"Make me." The way he whispered it made Megumi blush. To hide how affected she was she tried giving him a little shove but he caught one of her hands and stepped even closer, inching his face near enough to brush his nose softly against hers. Megumi was sure he could feel her racing pulse through the hand he held, yet that self-conscious thought escaped her when he finally laid claim to her mouth with his own. The kiss was teasingly short, so much so that when Sano pulled away Megumi grabbed the front of his shirt and brought him back down for more. Soon they had to come up for air, and with thatSanolet out another low whistle.
"I should pay you these nightly visits more often," he said with a brazen smile, one that Megumi returned more coyly.
"Now, off you go. I need to get some sleep." Megumi walked straight to her room and turned around once inside, throwing Sano one last smile before closing the door.
Kenshin, having changed into a yukatahe had been given, wondered where Kaoru was. He sat against the wall beside the door, looking at the room as if it held answers tohis many questions.A shuffling sound reached his sensitive ears, the noise stopping just outside his door. He had a feeling he knew who it was and the voice that called out from outside confirmed his guess.
"You may come in, Miss Kaoru, that you may."
There was a pause and then the sliding door opened slowly, a familiar raven haired head popping inside followed by the rest of her.
"I, uh… hi." She said, meekly as Kenshin stood to greet her. He noticed the nervous atmosphere building and he too couldn't escape its feeling in his stomach. Why am I so nervous? It's not as if we're going to… He shook his head at the crazy idea and suddenly felt the heat of shame burning in his blushing cheeks. Kaoru finally looked up from her hands and saw Kenshin averting his eyes to the ground. They were quiet for a while, not one moving or saying anything. So many akward moments existed between them, both of them could agree that they'd enough of them.
With a cough, Kenshin gestured toward the bed. "I'll sleep on the floor, if you would like to take the bed."
"There's no need for that. Besides, you have your bed there, too." Kaoru said, the nerves eating away at her stomach finally dissipating.
"Guess you are right, that you are." With that, he found himself shifting his feet beneath him as no one made a move.
"I better get ready for bed then," she said, moving past the rurouni to where her dark blue yukata lay neatly folded by the lamp. Kenshin's eyes unconsciously followed her graceful movements, finding the sight of her near irresistible. When herealized what it was she wanted to do, he turned around, his face burning with a blush yet again.
"You stay like that until I tell you, okay Kenshin?"
"Yes, Miss Kaoru," Kenshin affirmed with a nod.
Kaoru undid her kimono and obi as quickly and quietly as possible. Her calloused hands ran over the smooth, greenmaterial and one piece of the silk caught on her finger.
"Darn it," she half muttered to herself.
"What's wrong?" Kenshin asked, almost forgetting that he was told to keep his back to her.
"Nothing," Kaoru said with a sigh. "It's just… forget it." With a final tug, she tied the cloth belt of her robe in place and turned around. Kenshin still was turned around and she smiled, happy to have his gentlemanly nature reaffirmed by that simple action. "You can turn around, Kenshin."
Upon turning, Kenshin held back from swallowing nervously atthe sight ofKaoru clad in her night clothes. Sure, he'd seen her in this attire before, but never bathed in the dwindling light that chased the shadows around the room and away from her; and never in his room like so. She appeared as an angel from a dream, her ethereal radianance unmistakableamid the darkened world, and here she was more real than any dream could ever be.
"Are you coming to bed too, or are you going to stand there all night?" Kaoru asked with a slight teasing tone, masking her shyness at being stared at by the beautiful man. Kenshin couldn't help the little chuckle that came from his mouth as walked over to the bed and sat down, pulling the covers up to his chest. Kaoru did the same and snuck a glance at the man settling his head against his pillow for the night. His hair, free of its confining tie, spilled over the pillow like waves of soft red silk. When she saw him close his eyes, she too rested her head down. Just as soon as she closed her eyes, she heard Kenshin whispersomething.
"If its not too forward of me to ask, what was it that bothered you just a minute ago, Miss Kaoru?" Rolling his head to his right, Kenshin stared into Kaoru's own eyes with concern.
"It was nothing really… It's just that I snagged a piece of my kimono with my hand." She lifted her right hand in front of her face and frowned. "My hands aren'tlike other women's hands. They can't even mold proper rice balls. They're too rough." Kenshin reached for the hand she was eyeing critically and pulled it to where he looked it over with his own eyes. Kaoru held her breath at the action, her heartbeat increasing tenfold at his mere touch.
"I don't think they're rough at all, Kaoru." He rubbed a thumb over the palm of her hand, the same spot he kissed earlier, and turned his head toward her with a soft smile. "They are just perfect, if you ask me."
Kaoru blushed furiously and silently thanked the lamp's dying light forproviding her with the perfect cover.
Releasing his hold, Kenshin stifled a yawn and with a fading smile, said, "Goodnight, Kaoru. Sleep well."
Taking her hand back Kaoru glanced at his face for the last time that night, finding his beautiful eyes already resting for the night. Turning her head, she stared at the black ceiling and unconsciously pressed her warm hand to her chest, and answered with voice hushed.
"Goodnight, Kenshin."
A/N: What do ya think? Mushy stuff huh? In my opinion it was much overdue. I'd tease and tease and tease, and now I delivered a good amount of fluff. Anyhoo, thanks to all of you still reading and those of you who just found this story and are interested in it. I've gotten a couple reviews telling me about how they can no longer continue on reading this story due to the religious content. To those people, I am sorry you feel that way. It wasn't my intention to turn people away from reading my story, yet I am not going to sugar coat anything that I write. I wanted to throw something different out there in the fanfiction world and apparently not everyone likes that idea. Oh well… Guess it's everyone's choice as to what they find offensive and not. As for the next update, I'm not quite sure when that'll be. I kept my promise of having this chapter out before my birthday, so that makes me happy… I hope it makes you happy too! So, leave your words and tell what came to mind while reading this chapter…
With that said, on to review responses!
Brittanie Love: Thanks for the quick review! I'm happy you think this story is great, despite how long it takes me to update these days… :sighs:
GoldAngel2: It's great hearing from you again! I haven't had enough free time to start on your new fic, yet I'm hoping to get it all done come Spring Break. Anyways, I'm glad you found the characters to be IC and all… I've been trying to keep them true to the anime/manga, personality wise.
And the part about Hiko coming was pretty well thought out on my part. Actually, I thought about it too much that I think his part was rushed. Oh well, the story continues and there might be another chance for him to show his face again.
About your graphic novel, send me an email sometime and I'll check it out. I'd love for the chance to see your work. Take care!
Yannick: You have more questions now? Hmmm, guess that's a good thing. It tells me you invest some thought when reading, making you an engaged reader. That's always good to know! You have my word, I will keep writing… I want this story done and over with before I jump into another one.
Chell: Hey girlie! I'm glad you find the story believable, that's for sure. It was a hard thing to think about, but now more than ever I'm glad I took this story on. Thanks for being happy with my comeback. Let's just hope I get the next chapter out sooner, ne? See ya later, buddy!
JDFielding: Hiya! You found the intro to Kenshin's thoughts that real? Wow, thanks! I felt it when writing and I'm glad you felt the weight of his thoughts as a reader also.
Yay, I made you laugh! I hope this chapter had you smiling too…
Kenshin didn't really confess his feelings yet, that is, in an open manner. He's sneaky about it or too scared to lead on to more… Don't know, maybe a bit of both? But he's so darn sweet; wouldn't Kaoru be able to see something more behind his actions? Well, yes and no. Man, these characters are complicated, yet I guess that's as it should be. True to life, right?
The story is twisting in a couple different directions, all of which I am going to have a lot of fun writing about. It makes me smile to know that you like this fic enough to see it go on and on and on… But like everything else it, too, will have an end.
Glad to know I made your day, dude!
animegurl23: You probably won't see this seeing as you've stopped reading, but I hope you do find some stuff out there more akin to your taste. Sorry to have offended you, but the faith represented here needs no apology.
Hannah Parker: Heh heh, yeah… Kenshin are Kaoru seem to be heading that way, huh? We'll see where they end up at the end of the fic… It makes me happy that you enjoyed the last chapter. I hope this one is okay. Sumimasen, Parker-san. I'll try updating sooner, I promise!
gaby (hyatt: Thank you!
Alli: Hi Alli! Hey… how'd you know I had a coffin? Just kidding… maybe not, I am Romanian you know… Dracula is my distant cousin… Haha, kidding again! I am alive and well, thank you and I'm glad you were happy with my update. All I can hope for is that you enjoy this chapter too.
Your words are so encouraging to me… I try leaving this fic in God's hands to use it as He sees fit. I am blessed and humbled to know that you think so highly of this story.
Your words made me laugh. If people find my fic too religious and corny, then fine. I do hope you're right about them missing out on something, because I feel that way too. One should at least finish it before passing judgment. :sighs: Oh well…
kik-ting: You caught on! You figured out what he wanted to ask her even before he did it… I think he mentioned it before, but that was some time ago. It's okay about your taking time to review… It takes me even longer to update! I'm not really overworking myself with this fic, at least. School and work itself is another story, but I won't bore you with that here… On the bright side, I got to celebrate my b-day one day early by going out to lunch with one of my sisters today. It was nice… but I'm super full, ugh. Until next update, take care!
kenji25samx: I'm so happy you feel the story is heartfelt… and I can only pray this chapter was a little of that as well. You're a fellow Christian too? Coolness! I've met so many by putting this story up. Thanks for reading, and I hope this update finds you well.
Kira toa of Blade: Like I said to the other reviewer, I am sorry this didn't suit your taste. But, I don't take offense to your being offended. It just saddens me…
KaoruAngel: Thanks, I'm happy to see a good response to the theme of my fic. Thanks for taking the time to read! Hey, I updated rather soon after your review… that's cool! You consider this one of the best fics you've read? Really, wow… such praise for such an undeserving author… Still, I'm happy to know you think so.
Okay everyone… I really do hope this finds you all well. You readers have become like an extended family to me and my fic. Now, I am off to finish up my leftovers from the Olive Garden. I got the Stuffed Shells with Sausage…. Yum! Take care everyone, and until next time, God bless!