--
The sun was setting, bathing the land in its magnificent red light. Himura Kenshin sat on the engawa, watching as the land was turned crimson. At one time, the color crimson was an unpleasant one for him, the color of blood, of death. Since he'd been married, the unpleasantness had faded from the color when he saw it cast out by the sun. As a youth, Kenshin hadn't known if he'd live to see another sunset. One of the few joys he'd had during those dark days was watching the sun set each evening. He never took the beauty of the sunset for granted.
Kenshin felt her presence before he heard the sliding of the shouji. He looked up and held out his left hand for his wife as she came out to be with him. Kaoru took Kenshin's hand and sat down next to him, wrapping a wool blanket around his shoulders.
"Are you coming in soon, anata? It's getting cool out," she said in a half-whisper.
Kenshin smiled. "Aa, just in a few minutes. The sunset's just getting to the climax," said Kenshin.
Kaoru laid her head on Kenshin's shoulder and watched the sun set with him. Kenshin's attention inevitably turned from the sunset to the beautiful woman by his side.
"Kirei," she whispered.
"Indeed," said Kenshin, staring right at her with a semi-lecherous grin playing across his features.
"I was talking about the sunset," said Kaoru.
"What sunset?" said Kenshin innocently, drawing his wife in for a kiss.
Owari
Aa - Yeah
Anata - Dearest (used by a wife addressing her husband)
Engawa - Porch
Kirei - Beautiful
Shouji - Sliding door