Fanfic by Blueroseulan
November 5, 2005
Standard Disclaimers Apply! RK doesn't belong to me!
AN: Finally! The last chappie! I hope you guys continue to review this last one… I wont be ranting for long… Hope you guys enjoy the epilogue!
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"I can't believe this!" Kaoru ecstatically exclaimed as her husband moved to remove the wooden beams that had supported her waist for so long. "I'm finally going to learn how to walk again! Oh Kenshin!" she gushed, mind excited and frenzied over the thought. Laughing, he carefully assisted her as her form heavily leaned on his without the support. "There there koi… don't move too much… remember, we'll take this one step at a time. " he reminded her gently, eyes turning to ask for any further procedures towards the doctor.
Nodding slightly, Megumi got up, and placed herself in front of Kaoru. Coaxing the woman to place her palms on her shoulders, she struggled to support the whole weight of the woman's body as she gently directed the girl to take a small baby step. Bewilderment splashed vividly on Kaoru's face when she heard the command. That's it? But it's so hard…. Painstakingly, she struggled to lift one leg up and place it back on the floor. She hobbled so much and even Megumi found it hard to be on the receiving end.
She felt a slight tap on her shoulder and Megumi looked up to see Kenshin behind her, an approving look on his face.
"Megumi-dono, let me be the one to help her. You can't take her whole weight right?" he added, an encouraging smile on his lips. Nodding, the doctor gave way for the man and he stepped up, flashing a smile towards his wife and softly encompassing her palm with his. "Now Koi, you braise your weight on your palms and slowly lift your leg and there… that's right… there… See! That's correct! You've already completed one pair of steps already! My! My! What a fast learner you are!" he beamed, watching her flash a brief smile towards him before her face steeled with determination once more. I'm in pain right now… But if experiencing pain means having to walk again, then I could bear it… I really can…she thought as she bit her lower lip to stop her from crying in pain. It was like becoming a toddler again, like a baby who is learning to take its first step. Yes, Kaoru was like that, and along with that thought came with the determination to struggle alongside with her spirit and herself.
"That's is koi. Now another one. Yes… that's good." The red head encouraged as he smiled and braised her weight. "There… that's good that's—" Cutting off guard, he was slightly surprised when she stumbled and lost her balance. Quickly supporting her with his strong sturdy arms, he watched as she blushed furiously with the compromising position they had.
"I-I'm sorry…" she stuttered, embarrassed with what had happened.
"It's okay Kaoru." He said as he coaxed her back to her feet, returning to where they had left upon.
Kaoru was beat tired during the end of the session and she plainly collapsed in Kenshin's arms right there and then. And yet, the smile she had on her face was more than proof enough that she was content and happy with her achievement.
"Good job Kaoru-chan! I didn't expect this amount of improvement on your first day. I tell you, in a little over a few weeks, you could walk as any normal person can!" Megumi cheered, genuinely happy for her friend. Nodding with happiness, she gently buried her face in the chest of her husband, inhaling the sandalwood scent he carried with him and felt his arms lift her off the ground. Sighing, she allowed herself to close her eyes, unconsciously slipping in the arms of sleep in no time.
"Hai. I agree with you Megumi-dono. Kaoru's such a fast learner and I believe she could start walking again. You'd like that very much wont you koi?" he asked, amethyst eyes suddenly widening with the sight that met his gaze.
There in his arms was Kaoru, dozing peacefully, face a picture of serenity as gentle puffs of breath escaped her moist lips.
A warm tender look spread on his eyes as he carefully shifted an arm so that Kaoru could very well lean on his chest and become more comfortable.
"She's tired." He heard a soft voice coming from the lady doctor. Nodding, he softly thanked the doctor and excused himself to put Kaoru in bed.
Watching as the man gently carried his wife towards their room, a somewhat sad and wistful look caught on her expression, lips turning bittersweet.
Ken-san… maybe it's finally time to let you go… there's no sense in clinging to something that you know is impossible to happen… maybe I should let ourselves go… and maybe, this heart of mine could learn to love someone again….
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As time passed by, peace had finally settled in the Kamiya dojo, giving the inhabitants a chance to reflect on everything that had happened since the past year. From the earthquake that had abruptly shaken their lives, to the painful recovery that had dealt one of the strongest pillars of the family… everybody was given time to think and ponder of the lessons learned, and the path they would choose to take.
"Kuso…"
The lanky built of the ex-zanza towered over the dojo gate casting a shadow twice his own size. On a steady gait, he entered the yard, face curved into a frown, lips muttering a colorful string of curse words.
"Kuso! If I had known I'd lose money to Kazuna, then I wouldn't have gambled at all! That miserable son of a--- "
"JOU-CHAN!"
His mind went completely blank when he saw the crippled woman, standing miraculously on the wooden corridors of the house, hand resting on a beam, and trying to pull at least a complete pattern of baby-steps. Running towards her, forgetting about his own misfortune for the day, he almost forgot how delicate her condition was, before he stopped right in front of her.
Beads of sweat had formed on her forehead, glistening on the blazing afternoon sun and her visage was filled with silent pain. Her face looked ashen, and her body was shaking. It was easy to see she was visibly pushing herself.
"Whoa Jou-chan! What are you trying to do? Kill yourself? OI! You shouldn't push yourself far too much you know. Kenshin would kill himself if you hurt yourself. He'd probably put the blame on his shoulders." He berated slightly as he assisted a panting Kaoru back to the wooden porch to have a seat. Hearing a soft 'click' he turned to find a sleepy-eyed Kenshin emerging from Kaoru's room, hair mussed and eyes droopy.
"Sano? Is that you? What's the racket all about?" he asked good-naturedly. If it had been Yahiko, the poor boy would have gone in a rage complaining how the fighter could always shake him awake. But not Kenshin. The man just smiled and turned his gaze onto his wife, Smile turning into a frown.
"Kaoru? Why are you here outside? Did you ask Sano to carry you here? I don't remember bringing you outside. We agreed that it's too hot remember?" he reminded her. Eyes scrutinizing her form.
"Actually, I did not carry Jou-chan outside your room. In fact, I just came home." The younger man sheepishly admitted.
Two confused amethyst eyes blinked. Once, twice, towards the direction of Kaoru, and then to Sanosuke, and then back to Kaoru. When he had pieced the information enough, his eyes widened and his hands had suddenly gripped her shoulders.
"Did you go out by yourself Kaoru? Did you walk by yourself?" he asked, voice filled with hope, happiness and even mixed with worry.
Seeing her husband's ecstatic reaction, no words could from in her lips. She could only manage a slight nod as tears filled her sapphire eyes, spilling towards her reddened cheeks.
For a while, he could not think, couldn't think on how to react. Torn between becoming angry with her for her stupidity over the fact that she could very well hurt herself, or to allow euphoria to burst in his chest. – He chose the latter.
Grasping her form so tightly, tears had unconsciously formed in his eyes as his hands repeatedly stroked the small of her back, whispering words in her ears while he continued to hold her shaking form.
"We did it… It finally happened… you could now walk… walk Kaoru… your dreams can still come true!"
Time seemed to stop for the both of them. At last, after a year filled with pain, trials and obstacles, they knew they had finally overcome that all… At last… Kenshin and Kaoru had triumphed in what seemed to be the biggest tribulation they would ever meet in their lives together….
EPILOGUE
The dojo was well decorated, thanks to Megumi and Tae who had continually fussed over the final details such as the flowers and the ribbons etc… Colorful as it was, the place nevertheless exceeded an aura of regality, peace and honor. Food was out of the question. The Akabeko had volunteered in catering the very special occasion and had provided abundantly to satisfy all of the guests that had attended.
Kenshin nervously fingered the edges of his white gi, eyes involuntarily roving towards the form of every seated guest. Oro! I can't believe so many people have attended today! True, so many had attended this special occasion. The whole Oniwabanshuu clan—including Aoshi—traveled all the way from Aoiya to the Kamiya dojo. Even Kenshin's master, Hiko Seijuro came. That much to the bewilderment of the younger red head. Saitou had decided to bring his wife Tokio, along as this much served as an opportunity to familiarize every one with the wolf's mate. Katsu, Sae, and even Ryozaburo who happened to be in town, attended that day. Oro! Even minister Yamagata is here… Ororo!
"Oi Kenshin buddy. The ceremony is about to start. You may want to quit fiddling with your suit man. There isn't much time to replace it." Shooting a darkened gaze towards his best man that stood beside him, Sanosuke merely laughed off, poking his ribs at the same time. Finally, as the priest announced the start of the ceremony, Kenshin turned towards the direction of the closed door, eyes expecting no—wanting to see the picture of his bride.
Even from afar, she was ethereal. A white light seemed to surround her still form as she raised her face to meet the eyes of the crowd and that of her husband.
Kenshin forgot how to breathe there and then.
A lovely kimono with the color of the cerulean sky and decorated by pure white lilies embraced her form as a pearl colored obi secured her waist. Her face wore a slight hint of makeup and her hair was arranged in a half ponytail, the rest of her long locks curled and allowed to fall gracefully past her shoulders.
"Man… is Jou-chan beautiful…" he heard Sanosuke mutter from under his breath
Beautiful? Kaoru's not beautiful…she's …magnificent…angelic…goddess-like… instead of voicing his thoughts, he just nodded, eyes fixed on the face of his bride, watching as two women, Tae and Megumi, carefully assist her towards the entrance of the dojo. Pride glittered in his gaze as he watched Kaoru gently touch their hands in reassurance, wordlessly asking for their permission. Worry flittered in both of the women's gazes before the doctor finally gave a nod of consent, backing away from the bride that had wanted to walk on her own.
It was her dream… Ever since the earthquake struck, it had been her dream to walk again. To feel movement race down her legs once again as she took a step towards the altar. Yes, it was what Kamiya Kaoru had dreamt of. Finally… I had completed my promise to the men I love… father… I promised you that I would rebuild the dojo… and that I won't put the name of our family in shame… I did it father… your hime-chan did it… And Kenshin… I remember promising to you that I would marry you… only after I could walk again… and here I am… taking my steps to meet you in the altar… we did it Kenshin… you and I… we did it…Tears had begun to stream down her face blurring her vision as she took—and savored every graceful step her legs provided. It was yet one of the best in her book… that being the final walk on the altar to join the man she loved more than life itself…and Kaoru was almost completely happy…Otou-san… Oka-san… how I wish you were here… to see the man I've married…
Kenshin felt he was bursting with pride, seeing his own bride walk down towards him. This was what she wanted… what they both wanted… and he knew that it was her own courage and determination that finally allowed her dream to take place. Watching as she approached him, he held out a hand towards her. A hand which was gracefully accepted and held tightly. And as the two people, walked the remaining distance together and as one, their spirits soared as they rejoiced over the fact that no obstacles, no trials, no problems and no fights, which of the body, mind or heart could ever triumph against them.
The sun was about setting when the marriage rituals started, casting soft golden glows on every face that had witnessed the marriage. But as for the two people that had been finally tied as one, dawn was just about rising, promising peace, serenity and happiness for the years to come.
OWARI
AN: I can't believe it's finished… sobs… TT…
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Blueroseulan
PS… what do you think of it? Please… no flames!