Disclaimer: Still don't own Rurouni Kenshin characters.
Hey guys, I'm finally back! Talk about major writers block. But now I really know how the story's gonna go, in fact I've almost finished it! Hope ya'll had a great summer. And now, one to...
Ch. 9
"Hurry up you guys! You're too slow!" Misao whined to the group of men trailing behind her. Her supposed "walk through the market" turned out to be more of a gallop, and the guys were having difficulty weaving through the crowds at her speed.
"Geez Misao, slow it down a bit. At the rate you're going, we'll have gone through the market in 3 minutes!" Sano shouted to the figure ahead of him.
"Oh don't be silly. It's not my fault you're out of shape….." she trailed off as she paused in front of a stand.
"Thank God she got distracted," Sano dramatically flung himself against the stall, wheezing.
"What is it Misao," Aoshi's quiet voice questioned. Looking over her shoulder, his eyes widened.
Sano, realizing he had lost his audience, looked over her other shoulder….and froze.
Perched on the stall's table, among the other odds and ends, was a music box. It was a pale pink color, and decorated with little pearls. It was so out of place among the other items; this one was clearly worth a great deal of money.
Tipping the lid up, the sweet melody Misao knew so well filled the air. Her eyes teared up as the memories from her childhood and adolescence flowed around her as if a door had been swung open.
"That's….that was….mothers….." Sano trailed off his whispered statement.
"Do you like it?" The older woman's voice cut into everyone's reverie. "I've had it for a week or so, but no one seems to have the need or money for such a thing in these times."
"Where…where did you find this?" Misao asked the saleswoman with a renewed hope that finding Kaoru might just be around the corner.
"I don't find them, I just sell them."
"Where did you get it from them." Sano pressed.
"Every once and awhile a couple of men bring goods to the market to sell to us shopkeepers. I'm sure they steal them from someplace, but hey, as long as I get a profit. Which by the way, that music box is 10 gold coins."
Yahiko squeezed in-between Misao and Sano. "That was mom's?"
"Yes, it was," Misao answered him. "I remember me and Kaoru would always sneak into her room to hear the song it played. We were so entranced by it. We would dance and dance until your mother would find us. Sometimes, she would even dance with us." A tear slid down her cheek as she remembered some of her fondest memories.
"We'll take it." Aoshi handed the lady the coins, then folded Misao into his arm, as she clutched the box to her like a lifeline. His lips brushed across the shell of her ear, as he made an oath to her. "We'll find her Misao. I promise."
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That evening, Kaoru was chopping vegetables for the soup, while Kenshin stirred it. Sighing happily, she smiled at Kenshin when he looked at her with concern.
"I'm fine Kenshin, just….happy."
A grin broke across his face. "I am too Kaoru. Happier than I have been in a long time." Remembering something, he continued. "I almost forgot. When I was in town earlier, I saw an announcement for the Sakura Bloom Festival for tomorrow night. I was wondering if perhaps you would like to go."
Kaoru's eyes widened with excitement. "A festival! Tomorrow!"
At his nod, she set her knife down and threw herself into his arms. "A festival would be…..perfect." Then, to prove her joy further, she took the initiative and shyly met his lips in a gentle kiss.
When they had parted, Kenshin gave a sideways grin. "I'm going to have to take you to festivals more often."
Her laughter rang through the air and into the perfect night sky.
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"What the hell's going on down there?" Sano asked aloud as he moved to the window. Music had suddenly started, interrupting the silence that had enveloped the room.
Misao moved to join him. "It looks like a festival! Oh, can we go! Please! Just for a little while." She pleaded to the others, knowing this might just be the cheering up they all needed after the afternoon discovery.
"I think that is a good idea Misao," Aoshi surprisingly agreed, catching on to the need for cheering up.
"Oh alright. But only for a little bit." Sano hesitated before agreeing. Misao jumped up and down in excitement before she led the group towards the door to join the festival below.
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When they had arrived at the festival, Kenshin had offered Kaoru his arm so he could escort her officially, causing Kaoru to glow with delight. And now, as they wandered aimlessly among the stands and throngs of people, they were still that way.
Kenshin wanted to get Kaoru a present tonight, something she would really like, and she had made it almost too easy for him. Earlier, they had stopped at a jewelry stand, and he had seen the way she fingered the jasmine flower charm dangling on a simple chain when she thought he wasn't looking. And he had seen the lingering look she threw it as they moved on to the next stand. He wanted to surprise her with it, but he needed just 5 minutes alone to go and get it.
Seeing a pond up ahead, surrounded by couples strolling along its banks, he knew this would be the perfect spot to give her the necklace at. Leading her to an unoccupied bench, he sat down with her.
Pulling her close, they sat in silence for a few moments, enjoying the peaceful setting around them. Sensing her slight shiver when a cool evening breeze ruffled their hair, he thought of the perfect excuse.
"Are you getting cold?"
"Just a little chilled, but you're doing a pretty good job of keeping me warm."
Smiling, he leaned over to kiss her lightly on the lips. "How about I go get us some tea to warm us up even more."
"That sounds nice."
"Alright. Stay right here, I'll be back in a few minutes."
And with that he was off, leaving Kaoru to relax and enjoy the fireflies surrounding the pond.
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Giving one more glance towards Kaoru, Kenshin hurried through the crowds to the stand with the necklace. He found it in no time, and picked up the beautiful necklace for closer inspection. It wasn't elaborate or flashy in anyway, but it held a simple beauty that didn't need intricate designs to be pretty'Kind of like Kaoru,' Kenshin thought with a smile. Handing it over with the money to the shopkeeper to wrap, he glanced over to the group that had walked up to the stall. Picking up pieces of their conversation, he froze when he heard a certain someone's name.
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And there it is, finally. Sorry to make ya'll wait so long. And please review! If I get just 5 reviews, I'll post the next chapter Wednesday (tomorrow)! Have a great day!
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