Kenshin
The Week after
The sounds of wooden swords clashing echoed in the training hall once again. The young woman's bluish black hair bounced in the high ponytail as she lunged at the young boy before her, trying to block her sword with his own. Swat poured from both and their heavy breathing filled each ears. Unnamed black hair clung to the young man neck. Kaoru smiled, wiping away the sweat with her sleeve.
'Ok, just cool down with 50 strokes and take the rest of the day off for now. But remember to be at the Beef at 5 for your shift Yahiko'' she said smiling lightly.
The young man nodded and started his strokes as the Master of the Dojo walked into the dazzling spring afternoon. Birds sang to the sun, while the trees grew to reach the golden orb above them. Her smile grew wider in volume at such a sight, making the dread in her heart less. Kaoru walked to the back of the dojo, eyes falling onto Kenshin doing he laundry again. His eyes almost closed in a peace manner. Red hair just catching the lights rays in a rippling escort.
Her breath caught in her throat again. How a man could be breathing taking and handsome in one moment was beyond the young woman. Yet, this man did such a thing without knowing it. Kenshin opened his eyes, seeing Kaoru smiling at him. Her own smile reaching onto his face, the lilac colors of his eyes growing brighter at the young woman. Memories for four nights ago made him put his attention on the clothing again, so she could not see his scarlet blush on the cheeks.
Kaoru was about to something to him, but let it go in a yawn. She was tired out by the swordplay of earlier.
' I got a bath ready for you Kaoru-dono.'' He said, once again the trademark Rurouni smile in place. She knobbed and muttered a thank you though the yawn. Causing a blush to cover her cheeks.
A rich thick laughter made the young woman shiver, the sound coming from the red head, his arms deep in the bubbles of laundry. Kaoru let some mischief fill her eyes as she made her way to the soup and take some in her hands, putting it on top of the wanders head. Kenshin blinked in a very surprise like manner, the wetness sinking into his head. Cause a very girlish rich laughter come from the woman. Kenshin smiled at her, a true smile he only used around her and her alone/
Both soon laughed at this moment, letting the entire world drop for a heart beat. ' I better go bath before I end up sleeping on the ground Kenshin.'' Her eyes filled with a light humor, holding Kenshin's own lilac in hers. She smiled again, heading to the bath. Lilac eyes filled more then with the humor and lightness. A feeling he kept deep in his heart and soul.
Kenshin watched her, every part of her held in check, but still with a flame usually not seen in Japanese woman. This was one of reasons he had come to love her in the moments like this. Still a memory came to him of the battle not so long ago, but felt so.
Kaoru standing in front of him, between the Wolf's blade and his body. Yes she had been shaking in fear, but she stood there, eye to eye with Saito. Not many would have done such a selfish act. Still that was also set her apart from others. Pure courage, a very rare thing in this day and age now of the Meiji.
Her blood held that of a samurai, and the pride of one. Which she used to help others, taking in a wandering samurai, a former street fighter, and a pick poker now changing into a samurai of the new age day by day. His smile held these moments. The laundry under him being cleaned. Then anther thought ruined this warmth of love and peace.
What the Wolf had said, and done. An ambers color pooling into his eyes. His family had seen him as the pure hitokiri that he was deep in his soul and heart. Even now, those shadows of himself linger on the edge of his mind.
Kenshin felt torn for the first time in many a years. To leave his family, to leave Kaoru, and once again set on the path of the hitokiri for the people of Japan. Or stay here knowing that sooner or later the battle would come to his come, his right hand twitching at the thought. An almost feudal like growl coming from his chest. Amber flashing bright to the shadows on his face. Which path should he take?
Such a question built on his mind for the days passed. IN two days, he would have to make such a burden of a choice. It was his and his alone to choose which path he would go. Kenshin let the amber fade back into the lilac, once again letting the Rurouni come into play.
The last piece of clothing was hung to dry in the warmth of the spring. A few cherry blooms would fall and then into his eye sight, making the air a living perfumed. Kenshin stood still, enjoying the scent, yet anther of jasmine filling his nose. He held this scent in his heart. Remembering what he had done in the dojo, the blush once again getting his fine cheeks, like that of boy giving his first kiss to a long time crush.
From around the corner, stood Kaoru, living in the same moment as he did right now. This was enough for her, just to be near him, touch him, let her smell his deep scent of forest anew. No matter what would happen. She would go with him.
Kenshin turned, seeing Kaoru looking him. That one smile on her angelic like face only for him and him alone. Kenshin shared that smile in turn. Both caught in the moment of each her.