Heart Of The Battousai
Chapter 10 - First Kiss
MUSHY, MUSHY, MUSHY! Here's a mushy chapter with lots of fluff. There's a little bit of trouble in this one but it wouldn't be a Rurouni Kenshin story without some mayhem, am I right? Any ways, on with the show!
Later that night the guys all sat on the porch and waited for the girls to show up, they had been in Kaoru's room for an hour and Yahiko was starting to grow impatient, "Hey Kaoru, come on already!"
"I'm coming."
Kaoru came out and twirled around, smiling happily, "Well, how do I look?"
Kenshin smiled and gave her the once over, "You look lovely, as always."
"Thank you, Kenshin. It's your turn now, come on out Tamaiya."
"No, I look weird, that I do." came the quiet reply
Hiko chuckled, "Just come on out, Tamaiya and let us see you."
"Yeah it can't be that ba... woah..." was all Yahiko could say when she stepped out of the room and into the hall.
She had on a deep purple kimono with a gold sash about her waist, her long hair was pulled out of its ponytail, allowing it to cascade down her back like a black river. The slight red color on her lips made her appear older than she really was and the over all effect made her look very stunning and it was all Yahiko could do to keep his mouth from hitting the floor. She shyly turned around and flushed at the stares she was getting, "Do I... look ok?"
Kenshin smiled and kissed her forehead tenderly, "You look beautiful, sweetheart, that you most certainly do."
"I agree," Sanosuke went up to her and playfully put his arm around her shoulders, "you wouldn't mind going for an older guy, would ya?"
"Sano..." Kenshin warned with a smile
Sanosuke quickly pulled his arm away and grinned, "Ok, ok, I get it, no touching the daughter."
Tamaiya smiled and looked to Yahiko, playfully poking him in the arm, "So, what do you think?"
"What?" he somehow managed to say
"What do you think, do I look that bad?"
"No... you look great... let's go now."
Yahiko hurried off and the others followed suit, locking the dojo gate before heading off towards the festival. Once they got there everyone went their own separate ways, Hiko and Sanosuke went off to talk to some girls, Kaoru found Tae to talk to, Kenshin was just browsing around, and Tamaiya and Yahiko were looking at one of the booths near the end. Tamaiya looked over and saw Kaoru waving goodbye to Tae before she turned to speak with the lady in the booth next to her. Tamaiya suddenly had an idea come to her and she smiled evilly and nudged Yahiko, "Hey Yahiko, you want to help me?"
"With what?"
"Just come on."
Before he could object she grabbed his wrist and lead him off to Kaoru, "Hey Miss Kaoru?"
"Yes, what is it, Tamaiya?"
"My father said that he wants to speak with you, that he does."
"Oh, about what?"
"I don't know, he didn't tell me, that he didn't, he just wants you to meet him at the bridge."
"Alright then, I'll head on over there."
"Hold on a second, Miss Kaoru."
"What?"
Tamaiya reached over and grabbed one of the roses from a cart and handed it to Kaoru, "Give this to my father, I'm sure he'll like it, that I am."
Kaoru smiled and took the rose, "Thanks, I'll do that."
She took off and Yahiko raised an eyebrow at a now giggling Tamaiya, "What was that about? Kenshin's not even near the bridge."
"Not yet he's not, come on."
Yahiko followed Tamaiya as she looked around for her red-hared father and it didn't take long for them to find him leaning against a tree resting, "Hey Daddy."
"Hey there you two, are you having fun?"
"Oh yes, lots of fun, but Miss Kaoru said that she needs to talk to you about something, she's waiting for you at the bridge, that she is."
"Really? Well I'd better head off then, you know how she is if you ditch her."
"That I do, but... aren't you forgetting something, Daddy?"
"Like what?"
"Well... like a flower or something, you know... just in case you're in trouble for something that you don't know about yet."
Kenshin smiled and took one of the roses from a passing seller and smiled at his daughter, "That better?"
"Yes, now hurry up before Miss Kaoru gets mad at you."
"Alright, you two stay close until I get back alright?"
"We will."
Kenshin took off towards the bridge and Yahiko shook his head, "Ok, now what are we gonna do?"
"Watch and see what happens, come on."
They took off towards the bridge and hid behind a nearby tree, far enough away to not be noticed but close enough to where they could hear what was going on. They saw Kaoru patiently waiting on the bridge and few moment later Kenshin arrived and smiled at her, "Hey there, Miss Kaoru."
"Hey Kenshin, where'd you get the flower?"
"Oh, this is for you."
He handed her the flower and she giggled before handing him the one she had, "Thanks, this one's for you."
"Thank you, Miss Kaoru, now what did you need to talk to me about? I'm not in trouble, am I?"
"Huh? I thought that you wanted to talk to me."
"No, why would you think that?"
"Because Tamaiya told me that you wanted to see me about something."
"Really? She told me that you wanted to speak with me... wait a minute."
Kenshin suddenly sensed two kis nearby and he looked over to see Tamaiya and Yahiko peaking around a large tree. He smiled and leaned down close to where only Kaoru could hear him, "I believe we've been set up, Miss Kaoru, that I do."
"What do you mean?"
Kenshin jerked his eyes over and Kaoru followed his gaze, smiling when she saw the two young swordsman, "I think you're right, Kenshin."
They looked at one another for a second before they busted up laughing, not noticing the confused looks on Tamaiya's and Yahiko's faces as they did so, "What're they laughing about?" Yahiko asked
"I'm not sure, that I'm not."
They turned their attention back to the bridge just as Kenshin and Kaoru controlled themselves, only giggling now as they shook their heads at the situation, "I thought something was strange, why do you think she did this, Kenshin?"
"I have an idea, did she ask you about marriage earlier today?"
"Yes, why?"
"She asked me about it too, that she did, and I believe she's trying to give us a push."
"Oh, I see, well it was a good try, I got a nice flower out of it any ways."
Kenshin chuckled, "I'm sorry, I had no idea she was plotting against us, that I didn't, but..."
"But what?"
Kenshin smiled and took her hand in his own, "Maybe we shouldn't disappoint her completely..."
He leaned down and gave her a light kiss, chuckling when he heard Tamaiya yell at Yahiko with excitement, "Ok, Tamaiya, you can come out now, that you can."
"You too Yahiko." Kaoru giggled
They stepped out from behind the tree and went onto the bridge, smiling sheepishly at their two amused friends, "How long have you known that we were here, Daddy?"
"Long enough, you set us up, didn't you?"
Tamaiya flushed and looked down at the ground, "Yeah, I... was just trying to help, that I was."
"I know that, but you can't rush things like this, Tamaiya, that you can't."
"But... you really care for Miss Kaoru, don't you want to marry her?"
"Listen sweetheart," Kenshin put his fingers under her chin and lifted her face to meet his gaze, "I do care for Miss Kaoru and I would like to marry her someday, that I would, but if you truly love someone and know that they're the one for you then there's no hurry, that there isn't. These things take time and I have my reasons why I haven't asked her yet but just be patient ok, it'll happen in time, that it will."
"Alright, I'll stay out of it, that I will, I'm sorry."
"Don't feel bad Tamaiya, let's make a deal, if Kenshin doesn't ask me to marry him soon I'll lock him in his room until he does, ok?" Kaoru joked
Tamaiya giggled, "Alright, that will work, that it... OW!"
She yelped out in pain when something hard hit her in the shoulder, she spun around and glared at a snickering Tonoi behind her, "Tonoi! You're dead!"
Tonoi laughed and took off down the road, an angry Tamaiya following close behind him. Kaoru giggled as Hiko and Sanosuke joined the group, "What's going on, guys?" Sanosuke asked
"Tonoi just hit Tamaiya with something and now she's going to kill him." Kenshin explained
"Why do you look so upset, Kenshin?" Hiko asked
"There's just something about that boy that I don't trust."
"I agree with Kenshin, Tonoi's a creep and I don't trust him either!"
"Hey Yahiko, where're you going?" Sanosuke asked
"I'm going to keep an eye on Tonoi!"
The adults shrugged and followed suit, kneeling down with Yahiko next to a tree when they spotted Tamaiya and Tonoi play fighting as she hit him in the arm, "You creep, why did you hit me?"
"I don't know, I was trying to get your attention."
"Well you got my attention, that you did, now what do you want?"
"I don't know... so, what we are of you doing on the bridge?"
"I was trying to play matchmaker, that I was."
"For your dad?"
"Yes, I thought I could help him propose to Miss Kaoru but it didn't work, that it didn't."
"Why do you want your dad to get married?"
"Because, when we were wanderers he always seemed sad, like something was always weighing on his mind but when he's with Miss Kaoru he's not like that, that he's not. I want him to be happy, that's all and I think that Miss Kaoru can make him happy."
"That's kind of you, but I think he can do it on his own if he wants, you really shouldn't try and rush him."
"That's what he said but that's not here or there, that it isn't, are you having fun?"
"Oh yeah, are you?"
"Yes."
Tonoi looked at her for a long moment before smiling softly at her, "You look really nice, Tamaiya."
"Thank you, so do you."
"Who did your hair?"
"Miss Kaoru, why, does it look bad?"
"Not at all, there's just a slight problem with it."
"What?"
Tonoi reached out and moved her bangs out of her face, his voice soft and husky, "I can't see you with your bangs like that."
Tamaiya flushed when his hand moved to run along the length of her jaw but she forced a smile all the same, "Ok... I... think I need to get back to my father now, that I do, I'll... see you later, Tonoi."
She turned to leave but Tonoi reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her back to him, "Wait a minute, Tamaiya."
"What is it?"
Tamaiya looked up at him and saw a strange look in his dark eyes as he gazed down at her and she couldn't help but take a step back as he started to lean down towards her, "Tonoi... are you..."
Tonoi cut her off when he bent his head and pressed his lips to hers, getting a startled gasp from the young swordsman as he did so. Nearby everyone else let out a gasp as well, completely shocked by the young man's sudden move. Kenshin's eyes started to swirl with a mixture of violet and gold as he watched the scene, a slight hint of anger creeping into his voice as he whispered to himself, "He did not just kiss my daughter..."
Yahiko growled softly and took a step out from behind the tree to help Tamaiya but he stopped when she pushed Tonoi away from her, "Tonoi, what're you doing!"
He raised an eyebrow at her, as if he were confused, "I... thought I was kissing you."
"Why? I never thought you had an interest in me."
"I do, I've always liked you, Tamaiya, I just... never admitted it, that's why I always picked on you, I was trying to tell you without actually saying the words."
"But... why suddenly just kiss me?"
Tonoi smiled, "It just came over me, I couldn't help it, you look so beautiful and innocent that I just couldn't stop myself. And now that I've done that I want to ask you something."
"What's that?"
"Will you go out with me?"
"What!"
"I want you to go out with me, I want you to be my girlfriend."
Tamaiya flushed and shook her head, "No... Tonoi I don't think that's such a good idea, that I don't."
"What's wrong? Did I do something to upset you?"
"No it's not that..."
"Is it your father? I can ask him and I'm sure he'll approve of the idea."
"It's not that, Tonoi, that it isn't, I just don't think that you and I can be anything more than friends, that I don't. Don't get me wrong, you're nice and everything but... I've never looked at you as a boyfriend, you've always just been a friend to me and I don't want to risk our friendship for something that can't be, that I don't."
Tonoi frowned and a look of hurt came into his eyes, "It's Yahiko, isn't it?"
"What? What's Yahiko got to do with this?"
"You like him, don't you?"
"No, Yahiko's just a friend, nothing more, I'm not interested in anyone, that I'm not."
"Then why won't you just give us a chance?"
"Because it just won't work, that it won't. Tonoi... I was a wanderer for eight years of my life and I learned to never get close to anyone because I would just have to leave them. When I stayed at the orphanage I never expected to make friends or stay as long as I did, that I didn't, but... when I met you that changed and you were the only friend I ever had, that you were. We fight all the time and we're rough with each other, you taught me many things, that you did and I appreciate you being a friend to me, that I do, but... I just don't think that it can work, I'm sorry."
Tamaiya turned to leave but Tonoi caught her shoulders and turned her around, leaning down close to her, "Tamaiya, wait, just hear me out."
Tamaiya turned her face away when Tonoi's breath wafted across her face, he smelled like sake and she suddenly realized that he'd been drinking, "Tonoi... have you been drinking?"
"No, why?"
Tamaiya suddenly smiled and let out a giggle, finally understanding his strange behavior, "Because you smell of sake, badly, I think something slipped you some when you weren't paying attention, you need to go home and get some rest, that you do."
"I don't need to go home, I need to talk to you."
"Tonoi, listen, you're drunk and you don't know what you're saying, that you don't, you need to..."
"I'm not drunk, Tamaiya! I know exactly what I'm saying, I really want to be with you, just give me a chance."
Tamaiya tried to push him away, the smell of his breath was starting to bother her and she wanted to get away from it, "Tonoi, I can't be your girlfriend, that I can't, we're totally different, you're just a young man with a new family and I'm a wandering swordsman, there's just no way that we can be anything more than friends, that there isn't."
Tonoi sighed, "If that's how you really feel... well, if you won't go out with me will you at least let me kiss you goodnight?"
Tamaiya flushed and looked to the ground, "I... don't think you should... I really need to get going, that I do, my father will start to worry and..."
"I'm not asking you to stay here all night, I just want a kiss."
Tamaiya looked up at him and her eyes went wide when he started to lean towards her again, the smell of his breath once again taking hers away. She turned her head and tried to push him away but he put his arm around her waist and pulled her to him with surprising strength, "Tonoi... stop it... I don't want to kiss you, that I don't!"
"Please Tamaiya, just let me..."
"No! Let go of me!"
Tonoi suddenly put his hand under her chin and made her look up at him, his eyes shining with something she didn't recognize as her own went wide with a slight bit of fear, "Tonoi... let me go..."
He ignored her and bent down to her but before their lips could meet they heard a loud shout beside them, "Let her go, you pervert!"
They looked over and Tamaiya let out a soft sigh of relief when she saw Yahiko standing there, "What?" Tonoi asked
"You heard me, I said to let her go! She asked you to stop and I suggest you do it and release her before you regret it!"
Tonoi's eyes narrowed dangerously and he let go of Tamaiya, stepping up to Yahiko, "You're starting to be a real pain in the ass, Myojin."
"If it means keeping your hands off of Tamaiya then I'll gladly be a pain in the ass! She asked you more than once to stop it and you didn't, you just kept forcing yourself on her! You need to just stay away from her and keep your hands to yourself!"
"Or else what? Are you going to get Mr. Himura to help you fight me?"
"When it comes to protecting my friends I don't need Kenshin's help, keep away from her or else I'll be your worst nightmare, pal!"
Tonoi raised his fist to punch Yahiko but Tamaiya stepped between them and stopped his hand, "Tonoi, don't! Please just stop, both of you... Tonoi just please go home. Go to bed and sobber up and I'll see you later, ok?"
Tonoi looked at her for a long moment before he put his hand back to his side, "Fine, you'd better get her home safely, Myojin."
"I will, as long as you're not around she's safe."
Tonoi's eyes flashed with anger, "One day you won't have Tamaiya to protect you, then we'll settle this score."
"I'll be waiting."
Tonoi looked down at Tamaiya and quickly kissed her lips before turning around and leaving, not noticing the glare he received from Yahiko as he did so. Once he was sure that Tonoi was gone Yahiko turned Tamaiya around and shook her by the shoulders, "Are you crazy! You protect him even after he tried to hurt you!"
"He didn't hurt me, Yahiko, he just... startled me is all."
"It doesn't matter, what's done is done, but from now on you don't go anywhere without me, Kenshin, or Sanosuke."
This time Tamaiya's eyes flashed with anger, "I can take care of myself just fine, Yahiko, that I can, I don't need a bodyguard."
"Really? If you can protect yourself then why weren't you doing it when he was trying to force himself on you?"
"He's my friend, that's why, and I didn't want to hurt him, that I didn't."
"Tamaiya! He didn't care if he was hurting you or not, all he cared about was getting what he wanted and you were going to let him! I get that you don't want to hurt your friend but sometimes you don't have a choice! Kenshin and Sanosuke are best friends but they've fought on several occasions and each time Kenshin's beat the crap out of him and felt horrible afterwards but during the fight he felt nothing! He fought Sanosuke like he would anyone else! Sometimes you don't have a choice about who you fight and you more than have the right to defend yourself if you don't want him touching you!"
"Don't be mad at me, Yahiko, I can take care of myself just fine, I've done it for the past two years, I can make it on my own, that I can!"
"Don't you get it! You're not alone anymore, you have me!"
"What?"
Yahiko took a breath to calm himself and spoke gently to her, "You're not alone anymore, you have Kenshin, Sanosuke, Kaoru, Hiko, and me, you don't have to face things by yourself because one of us will always be willing to help you. And I don't care how mad you get at me, if you're in trouble I'm going to do everything I can to protect you because that's what friends are for."
Tamaiya smiled and nodded, a flush coming to her cheeks, "Thank you, and... I'm sorry, that I am, I just... froze is all, that happens in battle sometimes, that it does. And I appreciate you trying to help me, I owe you one, that I do."
"Don't worry about it, and besides, if Kenshin found out that I didn't try to help you out he'd skin me alive."
Tamaiya giggled, "True, so where is he?"
"He's waiting for us, come on, let's go home."
Yahiko started off down the road, Tamaiya trailing closely behind him. The adults took the hint and ran off to the other side of the bridge and waited for them, putting on fake smiles when they came into view, "There you two are, we were starting to worry." Kaoru said with a hint of worry.
"We're fine, Miss Kaoru, that we are, can we go home now?"
"Sure, let's go."
They all started down the road towards home, a few minutes later Kenshin looked in front of him at Tamaiya and Yahiko, they were talking quietly amongst themselves and he couldn't help but smile at them, "Hey Miss Kaoru, look at the kids."
She looked in front of them and grinned, "They're so cute! Do you think they'll get together?"
"I'm not sure, that I'm not, we'll just have to wait and see."
What they didn't realize was that they were being watched by a pair of angry eyes from a nearby tree as they headed off towards the dojo, "I can't believe Myojin interfered like that! I will win Tamaiya's heart if it's the last thing I do!"
"I think I can help you with that, young man."
Tonoi spun around and looked up to see two men standing next to him, "What do you mean you can help me?"
"I mean that we three can be a team and get what we desire. I can speak with Kenshin again and you can get rid of Myojin and win over your lady."
"No one will get hurt will they?"
"No, not at all, just a simple negotiation, unless of course you'd like to fight Myojin."
Tonoi smiled, "I wouldn't mind fighting him, but no one else will be involved, right?"
"Correct, so... what do you say?"
"I'm in, my name's Tonoi."
"Welcome to the team, Tonoi, you're going to be a very important part of our plan." the man said calmly, his eyes sparkling with evil glee as they remained partially covered by his unusual white hair.
MEANWHILE
The Kenshingumi arrived at the dojo and went to their own rooms, tired by the night's events. Tamaiya changed into her sleeping clothes and went out onto the porch to look up at the sky, replaying what had happened with Tonoi over and over again in her mind. She couldn't believe that he had actually kissed her, she did like him but not in that way, they had been through a lot together, she couldn't deny that, but there was just no way that she could be with him the way he wanted her to be. A breeze suddenly came up and she shivered slightly before reaching into her robe, pulling out the dagger her father had given her two years before. Whenever she felt sad or lonely she would clutch it to her and she would feel safe again, sensing her father's spirit within the sharp blade, it was the only thing that had kept her from crying at night in the orphanage and it was the only thing that could bring her comfort now. The wind came up again and she was about to go back inside when she suddenly felt something drape across her shoulders, she looked up and saw a smiling Yahiko next to her, "It's cold out here."
"Yes it is, thank you, why aren't you asleep?"
"I can't get comfortable for some reason, how about you?"
"I was thinking about what happened earlier, that I was."
"What for?" Yahiko asked as he sat next to her.
"I don't know, I guess I'm a little embarrassed is all."
"Why? It wasn't your fault what happened."
"I know but... I always thought of Tonoi as a close friend and he just surprised me so much that I couldn't respond. I'm embarrassed because I didn't fight harder, I've been street fighting for a couple of years now and even with all my experience I still couldn't fight when I needed to the most, some swordsman, huh?"
"I didn't know you street fought, is that how you learned to fight so well?"
"Yes, but please don't tell my father, it would break his heart if he found out that I've been fighting without good reason, that it would."
"I won't tell, so is that how you got the scar on your face?"
"No, I've always had it, that I have, I got it when I was very young but I've never asked about it."
"Huh, so... have you and Tonoi been fighting for awhile?"
"Yes, he taught me how to fight hand-to-hand, that he did, we've fought since we've known each other but I never thought that he would do something like this."
"Hey listen," Yahiko reached over and took her hand in his own, "no matter what I'll always be here for you, you can come to me for anything and if he hurts you just tell me and I'll personally take care of him. I... also want to say that I'm sorry, I shouldn't have gotten mad at you, it just... scared me is all, I thought that you were going to be hurt."
Tamaiya smiled, "Don't apologize, I understand, that I do and know this, if you ever need me you can come to me, too, ok?"
"Deal... hey can I ask you something?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"When Tonoi kissed you... did it hurt?"
"No, I actually didn't really feel it, that I didn't."
"Really?"
"No, I guess I was so startled that my body went numb, I didn't register hardly anything, that I didn't."
"I see... hey... Tamaiya..."
"Yes?"
"Can I... can I... kiss you?"
"Huh?"
"You don't have to let me or anything but... I want to know... what it's like so... can I?"
Tamaiya thought for a moment before smiling brightly at him, "Sure, I don't mind, that I don't."
Yahiko swallowed the lump in his throat, licking his lips as he started to lean down to her. He placed his hand under her chin and lifted her face up as he timidly pressed his lips to hers, when she didn't pull away he became more confident and brushed his lips more firmly against hers for a real kiss. After a moment he pulled away with a flush and was relieved to see a smile on Tamaiya's face, "I felt that one, that I did."
"Was it... bad?"
"I'm not really sure, that I'm not, it was kind of strange."
Yahiko smiled, "I know, I'm sorry, I really don't know what I'm doing?"
"Neither do I, do you want to try again?"
Yahiko chuckled and moved his hand to rest on her cheek, "I'd like that."
This time he was confident with what he was doing and fully put his mouth to hers, enjoying the sigh that came from her as he tilted her head back for a deeper kiss.
Unaware to the two young kissers what that they were being watched by three sets of amused eyes, "Aren't you gonna stop him, Kenshin?" Sanosuke asked playfully
"No, I think I'll let them alone, I'd rather her be with Yahiko then Tonoi."
"Any particular reason?" Hiko asked
"Yes, because I know that he won't hurt her, now I'm going to bed, goodnight."
"Night Kenshin."
"Sweet dreams, stupid."
Kenshin simply shook his head and took off down the hall, he had no intention of going to bed, not when he still had something to do. He tapped on Kaoru's door and took off out of the dojo, she opened the door and picked up the note, smiling at the words, "Miss Kaoru, I need to talk to you, meet me where I said goodbye to you when I left for Kyoto, please come alone so there won't be any witnesses to kill. I'm just joking, see you soon, Kenshin."
Kaoru smiled and grabbed her jacket before heading off to her destination, anticipation rising withing her as she reached the spot Kenshin was talking about. It was a beautiful night, the stars were twinkling brightly and the firefly's seemed to dance all around her, she took in a deep breath and sighed, enjoying the soft wind that blew through her hair. Out of nowhere she felt strong, familiar arms wrap around her waist, pulling her against a warm body behind her, "They're beautiful fireflies aren't they?"
"Yes they are, so what did you want to talk to me about, or is this another set up?"
"No, this is my doing, that it is, I really need to talk to you this time."
"About what?"
"Do you remember when you welcomed me home when I came back from Kyoto?"
"Yes."
"When you said to me, 'welcome home' your words deeply touched my heart, I was truly happy, that I was. I was so surprised to think that someone as wonderful as you could welcome a man like me, but know this, if I ever do leave I will return to this spot... to you... nothing can keep me away from you, I promise."
Kaoru turned around in his embrace and smiled up at him as he rested his palm against her cheek, "This is the only place that I want to be, Kaoru, here with you... that is where I belong. I know that there are battles that await me in the future but as long as you're with me I can do anything, that I can."
"I will always be here for you, Kenshin, no matter what."
"I know and I love you for that, I want to make you happy because that's my happiness, I know I've made a lot of mistakes in my past but I know I can make up for them, starting right now with you."
"What do you mean, Kenshin?"
"Kaoru... will you... let me join your family?"
Kaoru was silent for a moment before she whispered, "Kenshin... are you asking me to..."
"Yes, I want to spend the rest of my days with you," Kenshin reached into his gi and pulled out a little ring made from a blue flower, holding it up to Kaoru, "will you marry me, Kaoru?"
Kaoru's eyes filled with tears of joy and she leapt up and hugged him tightly around his neck, "Yes I will! I will marry you, Kenshin!"
"Thank you so much, you don't realize how happy that makes me."
"I have an idea, so is that ring for me?"
"Yes, I couldn't afford a real ring right now so I... made you one, but I promise I'll get you a real one soon enough, that I will."
Kaoru shook her head and put the ring on her finger before taking Kenshin's face between her hands, "I love this ring more than any of the ones in the shops because you made this for me and I will cherish it always, as much as I cherish you, Kenshin."
Kenshin smiled and put his forehead against hers gently, a soft chuckle escaping him, "I guess you didn't have to lock me in my room after all, Kaoru."
She giggled, "I wouldn't say that, I have new reasons to lock you in your room now, only I'll be in there to torment you."
Kenshin gasped as if he were shocked but he couldn't erase the grin that came to his lips, "Kaoru... you wouldn't be so cruel to an old manslayer would you?"
"Yes I would, especially since you can't run away now."
Kenshin laughed, "I love you, Kaoru."
"And I love you, Kenshin."
With that said he leaned down and pressed his mouth to Kaoru's for a loving kiss. The fireflies around them danced and glittered brightly around them, as if congratulating them on their promise to one another.
End of Chapter 10, there's more to come so stay with me. Sorry it's so long, I finally got over my writer's block and I couldn't stop hehe. So, can you guess who Tonoi has joined up with? Can you guess what's going to happen in the next chapter? If you can't just keep reading and you'll learn soon enough, bye for now!