Author Note: Okay, some of these are getting really difficult! I love being clever and using my imagination, but really. This one is too much! I'm writing this before I start the chapter...no clue what I'm gonna do for six geese a laying...really.
Disclaimer: I do not own Kenshin, Christmas, or the song 12 Days of Christmas. I do own the idea to this story, 12 Days of Christmas though, and I do hope you enjoy reading it as much as I've liked writing it.
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to me: Six geese a laying
December 12
Our three favorite girls are each sitting at their desks. It is now the Monday evening and they are all working on studying for final tests, papers and projects. They will soon be going home for Christmas break. The snow from the weekend has settled and is now slushy on the roads and sidewalks from students trampling over it going to classes and meals and everyday life.
"Karou, you never did tell us what Kenshin got you for the fifth day." Misao said randomly.
"A necklace. I'm wearing it to the Christmas party Hiko is have Christmas Eve, you'll see it then."
"A necklace? Hm. Interesting." Megumi said. "Sano's said he's spent more and more time in the studio."
"Might be doing something, or a few things for you there. He's made friends with one of the jewelers in town too." Misao said.
"Yeah, the man is so sweet. We went down there to pick up the ornament he bought there also." Karou said.
"You've met him?" Misao asked.
"Yes. Unless Kenshin's changed jewelers." Karou said.
:---:
A few hours later Karou was walking towards the library to meet Kenshin to study. He had his huge art folder in his one hand and his book bag slung over his shoulders when she saw him waiting in lobby for her.
"You were at the studio?" Karou ask, kissing Kenshin on the cheek.
"Yes. Working on something." Kenshin said.
"Oh? On what?" Karou asked, as they walked through the library.
"Just something for class. Final project stuff." Kenshin responded.
"May I see it?" Karou asked as they sat down at a table and pulled out their books.
"Possibly. We'll see." Kenshin said, smiling across the table at Kaoru.
"Oh? Okay. What do you want to start with?"
"How about Tokio's class."
"You hate that class don't you?"
"I hate math period. I'm an art major, why do I need math?"
"Excuse me, but weren't you the one that needed geometry for your class?" Karou asked.
"I know geometry. Geometry isn't a problem. It's the calculus that's a problem." Kenshin responded.
"Okay, let me explain it." Karou said, opening her book and study guide for the final.
:---:
They spent most of the next two hours going over calculus. Karou had a headache after helping Kenshin with it, and then he was now helping her with Saito's final for the last hour.
"Kenshin! I can't do this!"
"Yes you can. You've done well in the class so far up to now, the final won't be that hard. You got an A on the midterm."
"I know, but he always makes the final more difficult!"
"Not that much difficult. Lets go over these dates a few more times and you'll do wonderfully, Karou. I know. You have confidence and I have confidence in you as well." Kenshin said, taking her hand in his in the middle of the table.
"Your right. I've done well while we've been going over this. I know the information."
"That's right. You want to take a break?" Kenshin asked, standing up to stretch.
"Yeah, that's probably a good idea. Let's get a coffee from the café of something." Karou said.
They went back up to the first floor to the café that was just off the lobby of the library. As they were standing, waiting in line, they were talking quietly to each other.
"So what's the newest thing you've been working on? Can I see it when we get back?"
"Hm, I guess you could. It's completed."
"What is it? Did you paint or work in charcoal?"
"Paint. A holiday theme. Humorous."
"Really? Hm. I can't wait to see it. It sounds wonderful." Karou said, looking up at Kenshin. "Did you get the picture for Aoshi done?"
"Yes, completed it last night and gave it to him this morning. He loved it. Misao will be very happy he said." Kenshin answered, looking down at her.
Karou picked up the hand she was hold, looking at his long, tapered fingers, coal and paint under the nails and on his palms, not getting completely washed off. She loved his hands like this. To many times she would look at his hands and they would be clear of the paint, or charcoal, or any other media he used, she loved looking at the colors that he had used, today the white and browns, red and green, black and blue hues. "Tell me about the painting." She said as she looked at the colors, tracing them with her own fingers.
"You have always been impatient. You will see them soon enough." Kenshin said as they approached the counter. "What do you want?"
"Hot Chocolate." Karou responded.
"May I help you?" The woman at the counter asked Kenshin.
"Yes, two hot chocolates, please." Kenshin responded.
"It'll be just a moment, Sir."
A few moments later they were on their way back to their table.
"This taste absolutely heavenly. So warm and chocolately. Perfect for a day like this."
"Hm. Yes it is." Kenshin said as he took another sip. They had just gone up the steps and where on the second level, quieter and more peaceful than the first often was.
"May I see the painting now?"
"Impatient aren't you?"
"Well, I suppose. I love looking at your art though. You know that."
"It usually has you in it...I fear that's why, no matter how good a job I do, you will continue to tell me I'm the greatest." Kenshin said, putting their hot chocolates down on their table.
"No. You, Kenshin Himura, are one of the most talented artists I have ever seen." Karou said, putting her arms around his waist. "And that is an unbiased point of view."
"Really?" Kenshin asked, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Truely."
"Hm, I think I like that answer."
"You better. Now show the painting to me." Karou said, poking his side where he was most ticklish.
"With or with out you in the picture?" Kenshin asked delaying the painting a moment longer.
"Yes. Every single piece with or without me in it. Like the dojo picture you did, or the Cherry Blossoms last spring. The picture of Ayame and Suzume for Megumi last year over break, it was wonderful."
"I think my favorite, lets see, yes, you during practice."
"That one?" Kaoru asked.
"Yes. I think that's the moment I fell in love with you. Watching practice, you had such determination on your face, concentration, your form was perfect. You had the biggest smile on your face and your eyes where sparkling. I remember thinking, on several occasions, how I could loose myself in your eyes."
"Hm. Strange. I have the same thought about yours."
"Really?"
"Ye..." Karou started.
"Uh-hum. The library is for research and studying Himura, Kamiya. Not a make out session." Both students turned to look at Dr. Saito. He always seemed to find them in the most unusual...moments.
"Sorry Dr. Saito. We just got back from the Café, a little break from the books. Karou wished to see my latest painting." Kenshin said smoothly, not letting go of Karou, no matter how much she squirmed.
"Hm. Interesting. Get back to work. My final isn't going to be easy Kamiya." Saito said as he left, he nodded to his books and notes on the table that Karou had taken that semester.
"Yes, Dr. Saito. I'm working hard on it." Karou said as they watched the professor walk away. "I really dislike him immensely sometimes."
"You'll do fine, now sit down, I want to show you this project."
"Okay." Karou said as she watched Kenshin go through a couple of canvases before he found what he wanted. He pulled out a small charcoal sketch in a slim black frame, that he had wrapped a red bow around.
"Kenshin it's beautiful." Kaoru exclaimed as Kenshin placed the print in her hands. There where six geese on the bank of the river, the water so blue against the black and white of everything else.
"Merry Christmas." Kenshin said kneeling in front of her.
"Oh." Karou grasped, then put the picture on the table and just looked at him. "It's beautiful." Karou said kissing his forehead. "I really think it's the best I've seen yet."
"You're just saying that." Kenshin said, smiling up at tinsel.
"No, I'm not. But I'm slightly confused. You said your latest work is a painting."
"It is. I finished the actual work on this, hm, a week in a half ago?" Kenshin said, angling his head as he thought about it.
"I wondered when it would come today. I knew it would of course. You are the type not to stray from a pattern." Karou said. "But what's the painting?"
"You'll see tonight. It's for Misao and Megumi and you for the room."
"Is it something you had to do for class?"
"Yes, and since you were the subjects, I decided to have it graded early, then give it to the three of you."
"What is it, the assignment I mean."
"Something from a holiday picture."
"What picture did you use?" Karou asked, thinking fast and hard to figure it out.
"One from the decorating of the tree this year. I started working on it before that really though. I had an idea, and changed it a bit from the photograph, which Dr. Enishi understood what I wanted to do and how I wanted to change the photo and said it was fine.
"I can't wait to see it." Karou said. "I bet we'll love it."
"You better, I got an 'A' on this thing."
"He gave you an A! But Enishi never grades you that well...no matter how much you deserve it!"
"I know. I was as shocked as you are."
"That's great. I'm so happy for you!" Kaoru said. They talked and drank their hot coco for a few more minutes, then Kenshin continued quizzing her on dates, names and events for Saito's final. They where at the library for another hour in a half, then went to meet the rest at the cafeteria for dinner.
After that, Kenshin, Sano, Aoshi, Yahiko and Tsubame went back to the dorm with Misao, Megumi and Karou. The girls opened their gift from Kenshin, who had wrapped it and put a bright blue bow on it. The picture wasn't that big, about 14 x 20, and was placed over the couch in the living room area. It was the three of them placing ornaments on their tree in the room, just a few nights ago. Misao was hanging tinsel all over the tree in small clumps, while Karou was hanging her two turtle doves kissing, and Megumi was placing an ornament that was tiny fox in a doctors coat and holding a clipboard in the other hand given to her by Sano as an early Christmas gift, for the tree. The room and tree glowed, and you could see the snow falling outside of the window behind the three girls, smiling and having a merry time decorating the tree.
The guys and Tsubame left a little bit after that, going to study for finals and finish the final work of the semester. The girls sat in their living area with the Christmas lights on and the room lights off, admiring their gift from Kenshin. He had captured each of them perfectly, what they were wearing, their smiles, the color of their eyes and their connection and friendship to each other.