Truth, Lies, Betrayal And Love

Chapter 14

That night after all the guests had started for home Kiyoko and Kenshin retreated to their room to turn in for the evening. Kiyoko looked over at her husband and felt a wave of sorrow overcome her but she held back her tears and decided to strike up a conversation, "So… we are now husband and wife, Kiyoshi."

"We are…"

Kenshin caught the sad look in her eyes and sighed sadly, "You miss Naoto don't you?"

"Yes… I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize, you have the right to grief him that you do."

Kenshin went up to her and put his arms around her waist, causing her to tense up at his touch. After a moment or so she relaxed into him and thought nothing of it until she felt his breath wafting across the skin of her neck. A sudden wave of guilt and panic came over her and she pulled away from him, "I'm sorry Kiyoshi but… I must be honest with you… I don't really love you."

"I know but I promised to take care of you and I will do just that that I will."

Kenshin tried to make eye contact with her but she turned her gaze to the floor as her voice began to crack slightly, "Please don't do that Kiyoshi. I can't look at you right now… you look too much like Naoto… I just can't look you in the eyes."

"Kiyoko," Kenshin leaned down and kissed her cheek lightly, whispering softly into her ear, "I never want you to be afraid to look me in the eyes."

"What? Only one person has ever said that to me and that was…"

Before she could say anything else Kenshin pulled her against him and pressed his lips to hers for a brief kiss. When he released her she looked up at him and gazed at him in disbelief, she knew that kiss and it belonged to only one person, "N… Naoto…"

He grinned and kissed her forehead, "Surprise Milady."

"Is it really you? But I… I thought that you were dead…"

"But I'm not I'm alive and well as you can see. This was my plan Kiyoko."

"What do you mean?"

"I went after Kiyoshi, I mean Kenshin and I helped him kill that man that tried to take you then Kenshin said that I should return here and take his place again. I knew that it would never work because they could easily tell us apart because of his scar. So I took a dagger and gave myself the cross-shaped scar that Kenshin has and no one could tell that I wasn't him. The plan worked my love."

Kiyoko looked closely at his scar and saw that it was actually a cut, still trying to heal itself but one couldn't tell unless they were right next to him. She traced it gently and let a tear fall down her face, "I can't believe that you would actually hurt yourself for me."

Naoto wiped her tear away and smiled at her lovingly, "You are worth it, if it meant that I could spend just one more day with you then I would give myself a thousand scars."

"Thank you… so I guess I have to call you Kiyoshi now don't I?"

"Only when we are with others, when we are alone I am just Naoto."

"That's fine with me. I love you, Naoto."

"And I love you Kiyoko."

She leaned up and kissed him, sighing happily as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer to him.

MEANWHILE

After the wedding had ended Kenshin headed back to the dojo. Ryunosuke had let him borrow a guard outfit so he could keep an eye on Naoto without being notice. He was glad that this was all over. Naoto had frightened him terribly when he pulled out the dagger. At first he thought that Naoto was going to kill himself but instead he gave himself a cross identical to Kenshin's. Kenshin couldn't help but laugh, there was no way to tell them apart now but as long as he was with Kaoru and Naoto and Kiyoko were happy that was all that mattered to him.

He arrived at the dojo just after the moon rose. He silently made his way to Kaoru's room and slipped inside, sitting next to the sleeping girl. He bent down and kissed her face and hair until she stirred, opening her eyes to look up at him, "Kenshin? Is that you?"

"Yes, it's me Kaoru."

"How can I be sure?"

Kenshin smiled, "Oro."

"Oh it is you, welcome home Kenshin!"

Kaoru hugged him tightly and he gladly returned the gesture, "I'm glad to be back, I missed you so much Kaoru that I did."

"I… overheard Sanouske telling Misao and Yahiko that you were supposed to be… married."

"Don't worry, Naoto and I took care of it that we did. Everything's alright now, and don't worry about my 'engagement', the only woman that I ever intend to marry is you, Kaoru."

"Kenshin… are you saying…"

"Yes. Kaoru, will you marry me?"

Kaoru giggled, "I don't know, I don't think I can put up with you that long."

Kenshin laughed, "Well I guess you're going to have to learn to because you're stuck with me that you are."

"What if I don't want to be stuck with you?"

"Tough."

Kaoru playfully tried to move away from him but he laid over her and boxed her in with his body, getting them both to laugh at their little game. After a moment Kaoru settled down and kissed his cheek, "I love you Kenshin."

"I love you, Kaoru that I most certainly do."

Kenshin leaned down and kissed her but she pulled away, her eyes sparkling with mischief and love, "Hey Kenshin?"

"Yes?"

"Do you feel like sparring?"

"I'd love to." He chuckled and kissed her, forgetting about the outside world, the only thing he could think of was the beautiful woman in his arms. He felt right to be there with her, holding her close to him and for the first time in ages he felt like he belonged... like he was actually home.

YEY! It's finally over! I hope you liked it that I do :). I got ya on that last chappie didn't I? (hehe). Any ways, thanks for sticking with me on this one, I appreciate all of your reviews so much! Until next time!