Author's Note: Well, I've finally caught up! Whoot Whoo! Go me! I hope you enjoy this chapter. It is the second to last. As with some of the others, I'm coming up with this it asI type, although, I got an idea over lunch (I ate between typing Day 10 and 11 yummy...hot coco!) Anywho, enjoy, and please to remember to review!
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 eleventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me: Eleven pipers piping
December 22
Karou heard the clock strike 10 o'clock, she had been in the practice hall for nearly two hours. She kept the bokken steady in her hands and kept swinging though. It had been two days since Kenshin's last gift, and she knew that today would be eleven pipers piping. She had no clue what to expect. Her thoughts roamed over the other gifts that she had received. She had already placed the pictures, figurines, and other items around her house as she had decorated for the holidays. She smiled as she thought of the mantle over the fireplace, it was now full of figurines of samurai and lords and turtle doves and the 12 days of Christmas.
She practiced just a little bit longer, then went to her bedroom to take a shower and change. While she was dressing door bell ring, and heard Misao answer it. The voices where low and couldn't hear them clearly, but she head Misao say thank you and good bye. When she reached the kitchen there was a pyramid of four wrapped gifts on the table. She looked at it, turning it around on the table with her hand, and wondering what it could be.
"Kenshin dropped that off. He said that you could open it and that he'd be back shortly. He had something to take care of." Misao said, leaning against the counter drying her hands and watched Karou examine the package.
"Really? He's been with me when I've received ever other gift, with the exception of the Four Calling Birds." Karou said, looking up at Misao.
"I don't know. He said you could open it." She said shrugging her shoulders.
Karou gently unwrapped the first gift box, the top one, and smallest. It was a small square. When she lifted the lid, and lifted the red and green tissue paper, she laughed.
"What's up Karou? What did you get you?" Misao asked, walking over to the table.
"This." Karou said, holding up one champagne flute that had holly etched into the glass just under a ring of gold.
"A champagne flute. Is that what is in all of these boxes, or does each one hold something different?" Misao asked.
"I don't know. Look at the design though. It's holly!" Karou said laughing. He hadn't gotten her any flutes, but Christmas ones.
"Here's the second box." Misao said, handing her a box that was just a little bit bigger than the first one. Karou carefully unwrapped the gift, and moving the tissue paper aside. Inside where two more flutes, both having a simple gold band around the top of each glass.
"They must all be flutes." Misao said handing Karou the third box. Inside where three more flutes to match the second two glasses.
"It's an entire set of glasses!" Misao said.
"No, that would be twelve, and go against the pattern." Karou said absently, turning a glass over in her hand.
"The last box." Misao said.
"Yup." Karou said. She opened the last box, once again, moving the red and green tissue paper aside. Inside where four more to match the previous five. The last one, though, matched the first glass she had opened, one with gold rim and holly etched into the glass. Under the glass, there was a note from Kenshin.
"What does the note say?" Misao asked after Karou had opened it.
"Please bring the first and last glass to the party Saturday night. Love, With all my heart, Kenshin." Karou read out loud.
"Wonder what he has planned?"
"Who knows? At this point it could be anything!" Karou exclaimed.
"Twelve Drummers will be involved though." Misao said.
"Yes. Well, I have to go shopping to finish this guy up. Wanna come along?" Karou asked Misao as she walked into the living room to place the gifts under the tree that stood there.
"Sure."
"Let me call Megumi. We'll leave in few minutes." Karou said, walking back into the kitchen and over to the phone.
:- - -:
"So, what are you looking for here for Kenshin?" Megumi asked as they browsed the antique shop that Karou had taken them too after leaving the department and art supply stores in the mall.
"Something I saw in here the other day. I wasn't sure about giving it to him, but I have to, it's too perfect." Karou said. "Here we go. This is it." Misao and Megumi looked at the object that Karou was pointing at.
"It's perfect Kaoru!" Misao exclaimed.
"I agree. Kenshin will love it." Megumi said.
"I have to get one more thing for him too, it's up at the front though." Karou said, picking the object up.
"What do you think? Sano?" Megumi said, picking up Sake set of four bowls and a small pitcher. It was red and white in color, and had a fight scene that spanned all five pieces.
"It's great! He'd love it!" Misao said, looking at a Jade tea set.
"Aoshi would love that." Karou said to her as she passed.
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking." Misao said as she decided and picked it up.
"This is a great shop Karou. I wish you would have showed it to us sooner." Megumi said as they walked up front with their purchases.
"My Mom and Dad used to come here for birthday and Christmas gifts for each other. They loved this place."
"Hello, Miss. Kamiya, how are you today?" The owner of the shop asked her.
"I'm fine. How are you?"
"Oh, well, my bones ache, my age is starting to show, but I can not complain to much. Is there anything that I can do for you?"
"Yes, I'd like to purchase those." Karou said, pointing to something in the case.
"These?" The owner said, pulling the tiny set out of the case.
"Yes."
"For Mr. Himura's Christmas gift?"
"Yes they are. Do you think he'd like them?" Karou asked, a smile on her face.
"He was admiring them the other day when he was in here, picking something up for you."
"Oh that's great! Wonderful, now what was he picking up for me?" Karou asked, leaning over the counter.
"Now that would have to be kept secret until tomorrow night. I know his treat to you this Christmas, has come in here many times looking for trinkets and figurines and such."
"Yes, I've loved all of his gifts. And if tomorrow nights has been bought here, there's no question I'll love it." Karou said as the owner rang up her two purchases.
"I'm sure you will. You will have to come in and let me know." The owner said as she handed Karou her bag of goodies.
"Thank you!" The three girls said as they left with their gifts.
:- - -:
"Hey Karou, have you seen the tape?" Misao asked. They were sitting in the front room of the house, wrapping the gifts for Aoshi, Sano and Kenshin. The tree's lights where on, and Christmas music was playing softly from the DVD player.
"Here ya go!" Karou said, tossing the tape to Misao.
"So do you think Sano will like this poster?" Megumi said, holding up a poster of the American band Cold.
"Yeah, he loves that band!" Misao said. "They're a great band. Didn't you guys go see them when you where over there this summer?"
"Yeah, they give an awesome concert." Megumi answered, picking out a paper to put the poster in.
"Hey guys, do you hear something?" Karou said, pausing in wrapping the Christmas tie she had gotten Kenshin earlier that day.
"Like what?" Misao asked.
"Instruments."
"Well, the music is playing." Megumi said.
"No, it's a different sound that the CD." Karou said, getting up. "It sounds like it's outside." Karou said, looking out the window. "Oh my gosh. Guys, come look!" Karou said, running out to the door that led to the courtyard of the dojo.
"What's up?" Megumi asked.
"I got the rest of my present!" Karou said, slipping her shoes on and running out to the courtyard.
"11 champagne flutes wasn't enough?" Misao asked.
"Obviously not, because I got 11 pipers piping!" Karou yelled from outside. When Megumi and Misao got outside they saw Karou clinging to Kenshin in front of a group of 11 band members with different pipe instruments playing Christmas songs. The group stood out there for about 15 minutes before they thanked the group and Kenshin led them out the gate door.
When Kenshin returned, Karou pulled him onto the porch to sit, while Misao and Megumi went inside to hide the unpacked presents and sent Aoshi and Sano to make tea and hot coco.
:---:
"What am I gonna do with you?" Karou said, standing in front of Kenshin, holding his face in her hands.
"I don't know." he said, pulling her to stand against him as he sat on the porch. "Your freezing, we should get you inside."
"Not just yet." Karou said, leaning down and kissing him softly. "Your keeping me warm enough, holding me right here." she said as she pulled back a bit.
"That's because your inside my coat."
"No, with happiness and love." Karou said, kissing Kenshin's nose.
"Hm. I could deal with that. But I really think it's my coat." he said, turning his mouth up on one end.
"Thank you."
"Your welcome."
"No just not for today. But for everyday I've spent with you over the last two years."
"Like I said, your welcome. I've enjoyed them immensely. I love you Karou. I've said this over and over, you are the one and only person that can hold my heart in your hands."
"And you mine." Karou said, kissing him once again. She didn't think it was possible, but he pulled her into his warmth even more, surrounding her with his love, and big wool coat as he stood and she wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Thank you for the flutes." Karou said when they broke the kiss. "Very clever, I must say. I was talking with Misao last night, and neither of us could figure out what you would do."
"It just came to me." Kenshin said shrugging. "I was walking through the department store in the glass and dish department when I thought of it. A stroke of lightening hit me."
"Why do I have to bring them to the party on Saturday night?" Karou asked.
"You will see, you will see." Kenshin said, taking her hand and leading her inside.
"What do you have planned Kenshin Himura?" Karou asked as they walked through the door to the warm house.
"Once again, you will see. I'm full of surprises, you might just be surprised."
"I've been surprised every other day for the past three weeks!" Karou said.