Kaoru sighed as she wiped down her neck listening to Yahiko's quick, pounding steps as he took off down the length of the dojo in his haste to start his chores. He'd done well, learning to control and build the strength needed to truly wield the succession techniques she'd taught him months ago before she went missing. His attitude had changed a bit towards her since she'd returned from Enishi's Island. Though he still teased her, he wasn't as brutal with his words seeming to sense when he was taking things too far and backing off accordingly. He'd been more respectful and attentive during their training sessions as well asking her nicely for additional drills to practice at home and thanking her for her corrections. She wasn't quite sure what to make of it.
"Perhaps he's finally growing up." She said softly moving towards the dojo doors.
She looked out across the large yard that still bore the scars of the incident that had brought the Kamiya Dojo to its knees months ago. Deep furrows in the yard, an empty space where one of the storage sheds used to be, a patch of dead grass where the disgusting doll the puppet master had wielded had began to rot. So much had happened and though the main dojo and gate had been repaired for the most part it felt like little had changed.
"Good morning Miss Kaoru." A light easy voice called out. "How are you?"
Kaoru's eyes flickered to her red haired housemate as he approached with his signature smile on his face, a plate of rice balls and two steaming cups of tea balanced carefully in his hands.
"I'm good." She replied returning his smile as he settled the things down on the edge of the porch and the pair of them sat down to eat their mid morning snack. "How are you? Are any of your wounds still giving you trouble?"
He glanced at her and shook his head. "No Miss Kaoru, I am very much healed up."
"That's good to hear." She replied picking up a rice ball.
It had been nearly a quarter of a year since she'd returned so she wasn't surprised by his answer. It made her happy to see him doing better but… There seemed to be distance between them. He'd come to rescue her after she'd been kidnapped and he'd taken her to Tomoe's grave, but other than that their relationship was pretty much the same as it had been before. It was confusing to her. Enishi had talked about her being Tomoe's replacement, about how Kenshin was deceiving her, grooming her to be his new, younger, baggage free, wife complete with room and board. Even Megumi had left telling her to look after Kenshin and keep him happy. Sano had mentioned wanting to meet their future children. All of their friends; with the exception of Yahiko who was likely just not quite mature enough to recognized such things; seemed certain that there was something between them. That the close friendship they shared would surely develop into something more, but nothing had happened so far. Kenshin was still as polite as ever and she still chased him around the yard screeching when he accidently dropped her favorite kimono on the ground.
After nearly three months, she was starting to lose hope, wondering if what their friends had seen as sparks of romance, was really nothing more than a deep fondness more akin to siblings. The thought made her heart clench and her grip on her cup tightened. After all, she was nothing like his first wife. Tomoe had been the epitome of what a woman was supposed to be. A soft, quiet, demure, elegant, beautiful, refined, woman. She on the other hand was a loud, rough, sweaty, reckless, dirty, girl who couldn't even manage to put together a decent meal. How could she ever compete with the memory of such perfection.
"Miss Kaoru?" Kenshin's voice called gently snapping her out of her thoughts. "Is something the matter? Is the tea not to your liking?"
She blinked twice irritated by the tears she felt pricking at the corners of her eyes and quickly shook her head. "No. It's perfect as always." She replied lifting it and taking a deep pull from the cup.
"Are you sure you're alright?" He asked her again his sharp eyes narrowing a little as he studied her profile.
"I'm fine." She assured him. "I just got a little lost in thought." She tucked a section of hair behind her ear. "I think I'm going to write that letter to Misao I meant to write yesterday." She said suddenly feeling insecure and wanting an escape.
"Oh, alright then. I'll let you know when your students have arrived." Kenshin informed her.
"Thank you." Kaoru replied straightening and walking at a normal pace until she turned the corner before bolting to her room and slammed the door shut behind her.
Kenshin had always been able to read her like a book, staying near him with such conflicting thoughts in her head was a bad idea. She panted for a few moments with her back to the door before sinking to the floor. It was so frustrating, so overwhelming. She'd always been so sure of herself. Blazing forward on the path she wanted with confidence and strength. However, her confidence was beyond her and she felt completely helpless. How was she supposed to know what he felt for her? How could she compete with the perfect Edo woman who had sacrificed her own life for him? What was she supposed to do? With a tiny sob, she scrambled over to her small writing desk and decided to pen that letter after all. Misao had often spoke of her, so far, unrequited love with the ever stoic Aoshi. She of all people would likely understand her plight. Perhaps the bubbly young woman would have some advice that would work for her.
%8%
Kenshin frowned as he washed the dishes he'd used to serve Kaoru's mid-morning snack and went to work preparing lunch. Something was off about the raven haired girl he'd come to love so much. Her smiles were dimmer, her body language more subdued, especially around him. It had been hectic following her rescue including their journey to Tomoe's grave. While there he'd thanked his first love for protecting his beloved and asked for her blessing as he worked towards making Kaoru the cornerstone of the new life he wanted to build before telling her goodbye. He had felt his first wife's warm acceptance and sensed that she was finally at peace, perhaps with the young man she'd originally wished to marry. The thought brought him a small measure of comfort.
Once they'd returned to the dojo, it had been chaos. The confusion over the attacks on the city by Enishi and his cronies. Explaining Kaoru's sudden reappearance without giving away what exactly had happened. Saito had threatened them all with prison time should anyone slip up and tell people that it was an illegal weapons dealer who had kidnapped the young woman. Then cleaning up and rebuilding the dojo while he continued to heal from his injuries. There simply hadn't been a decent opportunity to attempt to court the young woman. As time progress and things slowed down, their friends moving on to other things, he'd discovered he didn't really know how to court a young woman. He and Tomoe had come together under some of the worst circumstances. He'd been young and naive, she'd been under the influence of dark men. Their relationship had been rushed and slightly tainted from the beginning. He didn't want anything to taint his romantic pursuit of Kaoru. She had suffered so much so young and yet had stayed by his side, offered him her home and asked for nothing in return. She deserved to be courted properly and he was starting to think that now was a good time to start, if he knew where to start anyway.
A knock at the gate caught his attention and he quickly pulled the fish he'd been cooking from the heat setting them on a plate to rest before wiping his hands on a towel and striding towards it. The students never knocked and it was too early for her second set of pupils to arrive anyway. He pushed it open and was surprised to see a young man dressed in western clothes standing at the door.
"Hello there." The young man said. "You are Lady Kamiya's guardian are you not? My name is Natsume Mamiya. My father was a friend of Lord Kamiya who passed away. I would like to have a word with you."
Kenshin raised a brow at the young man. He was tall and lanky with dark brown hair and eyes with a pair of round glasses perched on his nose. A quick glance at his hands told him that the young man was either a businessman or a scolar judging by how soft and unblemished they were.
"Do you need something from Miss Kaoru?" Kenshin replied his lie of omission that he wasn't actually her guardian slipping past his lips easily. After all, if the man was some sort of threat, he wasn't going to allow her anywhere near him.
"Yes and no. Sir, I'd like your permission to marry Lady Kaoru." Natsume said his voice cracking a little.
It was only due to years of training and assassination that Kenshin managed to keep both his eyes in his head and his jaw off the ground. Here was this young man whom he'd never met, never heard mentioned in passing in the more than one year he'd lived here asking to marry Kaoru, his Karou. It was absolutely ludicrous.
"Why?" Kenshin asked suddenly on high alert.
"I beg your pardon?" The young man replied.
"Why do you wish to marry Miss Kaoru?" Kenshin clarified.
"Oh." The young man replied clearing his throat nervously. "Of course. You're her guardian, of course you'd want to know something like that." Kenshin's brow nearly twitched but he controlled the muscle tremor and nodded for the cowardly youth to get on with it. "As I mentioned before, our father's were old friends. When my father heard the news that Kaoru's father had died, he was devastated and wished to do something for her. After learning of her death he was saddened and prepared to take care of her property and other things she left behind when we received word that she had suddenly reappeared healthy and unharmed." He explained. "He… We would like to assist her and marrying me would give her access to my family's wealth. She could live a life of luxury with me in Kyoto instead of working as a kendo instructor here all by herself."
The redhead's eyes narrowed. He could detect no trace of a lie in the boy's eyes and body. He was telling the truth but there were several things that bothered him.
"Why wait so long before coming?" Kenshin asked.
"Excuse me?" The young man nearly squeaked.
"Miss Kaoru's father died more than a year ago. Why did you and your father wait until now to try to assist her?" He asked crossing his arms over his chest.
The boy swallowed noisily. "Well, you see we live in Kyoto. It takes quite a bit of time for news to travel."
"Hmm…" Kenshin said pensively his expression neutral even while he was seething inside.
He wasn't stupid. He'd made the trip from Tokyo to Kyoto several times by foot over the past year. It wasn't difficult nor terribly time consuming. News traveled even faster. There was something not quite right going on here and he intended to get to the bottom of it.
"Lord Mamiya, I'm afraid I must decline your request at this time." Kenshin said. "Kaoru is currently recovering from a rather traumatic incident that occured not long ago and I do not believe she is in the best state of mind to make such a life altering decision. There are also things I need to verify." He said turning away from the gate.
"Verify?" The young man repeated. "What do you mean?"
"I have very good friends in Kyoto. I'd like to contact them." He replied.
"There's no need for that. I assure you, we're sincere about helping Lady Kamiya." Natsume argued.
Kenshin turned back towards him his amethyst eyes harder and flecked with gold. "Miss Kaoru is precious to me. She has experienced much heartache in the past year and has suffered at the hands of greedy men who have seen her as nothing but a means to an end. I will do whatever it takes to protect her from those who would do her harm or take advantage of her." His eyes narrowed. "Now, please leave. Miss Kaoru's students are due to arrive in less than an hour."
Natsume nodded shakily and then placed a hat on his head before turning down the road. As soon as he was out of sight Kenshin strode back into the kitchen finding Yahiko already there dishing up rice.
"Who was that weak looking bean pole?" The boy asked handing Kenshin plates to put the fish on.
"Natsume Mamiya." Kenshin replied.
Yahiko nodded and carried one of the lunch trays to the table before returning for a second one. "What did he want?" He asked taking the tray from Kenshin.
"He wishes to marry Miss Kaoru." Kenshin replied. "He wants to take her with him to live in Kyoto."
There was a loud crash as the tray in Yahiko's hands fell to the ground sending food flying. Kenshin whirled around and found the dark haired boy frozen in mid-step, his eyes wide, his hands balled into fists and trembling.
"He wants to take her away?" The young swordsman said softly.
Clarity hit Kenshin like a steam engine and he immediately reached out and grabbed Yahiko's shoulders crouching so that he was at the boy's level. Though he knew he'd suffered after Kaoru's 'death', he also knew that Yahiko had been devastated as well. The boy had hidden it better than he had under his brashness, recklessness and tenacity that came with youth, but Kenshin had known. He'd always known that Yahiko loved Kaoru. She'd swept in and saved him from his former life with the Yakuza and given him a place to call home complete with an art to be passionate about and a slightly unorthodox family. They were like siblings, protecting and teasing one another. He knew that the wounds on the boy's heart were deeper and more tender than the ones he'd received to his body in his more recent battles. The boy was terrified of losing Kaoru, after all everyone else had scattered to the wind when she'd gone before.
"Yahiko." Kenshin called quietly but firmly waiting until the boy's dark eyes met his. "I will not allow anyone to take Miss Kaoru away from us again. I give you my word. She is not going anywhere."
"But-" The boy protested.
"You are not the only one who would not be able to bare losing her a second time." He said giving the boy's shoulders a gentle squeeze.
Yahiko's eyes seemed to brighten a little at that and he nodded. "Ok Kenshin." He replied before looking down at the floor. "Sorry, I didn't mean to." He said squatting down to pick up the mess.
"I understand." Kenshin replied reaching out to help the boy clean up. "You have nothing to apologize for."
"Hey guys." Kaoru said frowning as she walked into the room with a folded piece of paper in her hands. "I heard a crash, is everything alright?"
"Everything is fine Miss Kaoru, that it is." Kenshin replied. "Yahiko is helping me clean up a mess I made is all."
"Oh." She replied. "Well I've finished my letter to Misao. I'll have to go send it off this afternoon." she said waving the letter in between her fingers.
"I will take care of that for you Miss Kaoru." Kenshin said reaching out to pluck the sealed envelope from her hands. "I also have a letter to send to Aoshi. I will take them both when I go to the market while you are working with your students."
Kaoru blinked in surprise and nodded. "Alright then." She agreed easily. "We should probably eat before the others arrive. You can have part of my fish Yahiko." She said carrying the third tray to the table.
Yahiko cocked a brow at that. "Really? You mean it?" He asked.
She nodded. "You're a growing boy after all. It looks like you need a new set of clothes, the ones you have on now are too small." She sectioned off her fish and gave half to the young man. "Besides I haven't had much of an appetite today anyway." She said looking down, her chopsticks hanging listlessly from her fingers.
Kenshin's brow furrowed at that. Kaoru loved to eat. It was one of the things he found so adorable about her. She ate her food with gusto not worried about taking tiny ladylike bites and ate a lot. To see her do disinterested worried him a bit. He walked around the low tabled and bent down pressing his hand lightly to her forehead.
"You do feel a little warm. Not hot enough to be feverish." He noted. "Are you feeling unwell?" He asked tucking a section of hair behind her ear.
Color bloomed across her cheeks and moved all the way to the tips of her ears. "No. I'm fine." She replied. "Let's hurry and eat before the students arrive."
Kenshin sat down opposite her and studied her carefully while formulating his plan. He'd forgotten that Kaoru was an attractive single woman of marriageable age. Ok so he hadn't forgotten, it was more that he was so used to being focused on her and her being focused on him that the notion that other young men out there would approach her with marriage in mind had never truly crossed his mind. It was clear that the time to wait was over. He needed to make it clear to everyone and most importantly her what she truly meant to him. They needed to talk, about his past, both as a manslayer, as well as how he'd completely fallen apart at her 'death' both conversations he was dreading but he needed to get it all out in the open. She trusted him completely, had offered herself mind, body, and soul to him. It was only right that he do the same. However, today he was going to begin the courtship process. He wasn't really sure what he was doing, but he thought that a small gift and an offer for a moonlit walk by the river might be a good place to start. After all, he knew better than almost anyone how precious life was. His master had told him that his life had meaning, that Kaoru needed him to be happy, it was about time he started doing so. But first, he needed to write a letter. He didn't like Natsume Mamiya though he was fairly certain that he wouldn't like anyone who approached Kaoru with romantic intentions, but it was his father that made him wary. He didn't even know the man's name but knew as long as he gave Aoshi the son's name and description the OniWaban group would be able to take care of the rest.
He bid Kaoru and Yahiko goodbye and wished them luck on their training before quickly washing the lunch dishes. Once he was finished, he retired to his room to pen his letter. Once it to was finished he sealed it and slipped it alongside Kaoru's letter to Misao.
"Miss Kaoru, I'm going to the market. Is there anything you need?" He asked.
She nodded to Yahiko motioning him to take over the simple drill she was teaching the beginning students and walked up to him. Kenshin nearly forgot how to breathed when a sudden breeze swept through the yard tossing her raven hair and encouraging the bead of sweat that hovered in the hollow of her throat to slide down her sternum, slipping between the fabric of her chest bindings. Oh how he wanted to follow that same path with his mouth. He was nearly positive she would taste heavenly.
"The market?" Kaoru repeated rolling her shoulders to relieve the tension settling there. "Oh would you see if there's any good fabric on sale? Yahiko needs a new set of clothes. His old ones are just too short." She said.
"Very well Miss Kaoru." he replied. "I'll be back before lessons are over."
"Alright." She replied. "Please take care on your way. Hurry home."
Kenshin smiled at that, not his wanderer's smile that he used often to trick people into believing he was someone he wasn't, but a warm, genuine, loving smile that only she seemed to ever bring out of him. The way she said home usual brought out that smile, he could just feel the sincerity behind the words and the implications behind them. The dojo was his home, she was his home. It warmed his battered heart in ways he never fathomed it could be warmed.
"Yes. I will be sure to hurry home Miss Kaoru." He said gently before leaving the dojo behind making sure his first stop was the post office. He wanted Aoshi to receive his message as soon as possible.
After stopping at the post office, he browsed the produce stalls slowly looking for the best bargains as well as putting recipe ideas in his head. He checked with a couple of cloth merchants and managed to buy a few lengths of linen and one of silk for Yahiko's clothes. He selected his items carefully and was about to focus on going home when a length of indigo blue ribbon caught his eye. The color immediately triggered a memory.
"Here, it's my favorite indigo ribbon. I'll lend it to you Kenshin." Kaoru said laying the section of blue silk across his palm.
"Umm… Oro?" He stammered looking from the silk, to her and back again. "I-"
"I'm only lending it to you Kenshin. You have to return it to me when you get back." She said a dusting of pink feathering over her cheeks.
It suddenly dawned on him what she was trying to say. She wanted him to return to her dojo when everything with Jineh was finished. He couldn't help but smile at her. She was such a sweet, caring, slightly devious girl. He couldn't help but find her attempt to trap him in to returning endearing.
"I understand." He replied. "I will return it to you."
Of course nothing about the next twenty four hours had gone according to plan. Between Kaoru getting kidnapped, his gruesome fight, nearly becoming Battousai the Manslayer again, Kaoru breaking the shinoeppo and Jineh killing himself. He'd never managed to keep his promise. Well he did, sort of. The blue silk was stained with blood when he tried to return it and she'd never been able to get it all out. From what he understood, she'd tucked it away somewhere but hadn't thrown it away wanting to keep a physical reminder that her swordsman spirit was stronger than a former Manslayer despite having never wielded a katana in battle nor taken a life. She was such an incredible woman and her passion for swordsmanship was on par with some of the best warriors he'd ever met. To lock her away in a mansion away from her father's school would be a waste.
"How much for that indigo ribbon?" He asked the woman at the booth.
It wasn't common knowledge but Kenshin did have money, quite a bit of it actually. The government had paid him handsomely to clean up their messes. Though he didn't flaunt the money, preferring his low key, simple lifestyle at the Kamiya dojo. He hoped to reveal it to Kaoru soon and help alleviate her financial burdens. After all, it was usually his fault that part of her dojo ended up in shambles so often.
"Lord Kenshin." The woman replied with a warm smile. "It's so good to see you. How's Kaoru doing?"
"She is well." He replied returning her smile. "She is doing what she's best at."
The middle aged woman chuckled. "Keeping you and that Myojin kid in line." She teased picking up the length of silk. "It's on the house. You have done so much for our town and little Kaoru. It's such a shame no one stepped in when her father passed. Without you who knows what horrors would have befallen that precious girl."
Kenshin nearly snorted at that. Horrors befel that precious girl because of him, but no matter. He'd already decided not to dwell on the past anymore.
"Very well then, can I pay you to wrap it then?" He asked.
The woman's eyes widened and then twinkled with mischief. "Lord Kenshin." She said with a playful tone as she folded and wrapped the ribbon in bright red paper. "Are you finally going to make that lovely girl your wife?"
Kenshin merely smiled passing the woman some money for her wares and tucked the package in his shirts before continuing on the path home.
%8%
Kaoru smiled as her students filed out the door making sure to bow to the dojo floor before slipping into their shoes and calling out their farewells as they filed out the front gates of the dojo.
"Are you staying for dinner?" She asked Yahiko as he wiped down the wooden swords.
"That depends, are you cooking or is Kenshin? I've got to work at the Akabeko tomorrow and I don't want to have to miss because your cooking sent me to the hospital." He replied.
"I oughta whack you for that." She growled. "But I'm too tired. Kenshin is cooking today."
"In that case, I'd love to stay for dinner." Yahiko said with a smile.
She rolled her eyes at her top pupil and headed for the the kitchen to check on Kenshin. He was right where she expected him to be, standing over the stove with his back to her, a tasting dish in his hand as he ladled the soup he was cooking into it to taste test what he'd made.
"Do you need help with anything?" She asked as she stepped down into the cooking area.
"Miss Kaoru." Kenshin replied turning towards her with a smile. "How was training?"
"Good. I think I might have to hire Yahiko on permanently. There's too much a division between the students both age wise and skill wise." she said striding forward.
"That does present a dilemma, that it does." He said. He took a sip of the soup and nodded before holding it out to Kaoru. "Here, taste."
Kaoru's eyes widened in shock. That was like an indirect kiss right? Her lips would touch the same dish his had just touched and it immediately sent heat straight to her cheeks.
"Umm…" She replied nervously twisting her hands together.
"Come now Miss Kaoru." He said with a smile that was leaning towards a smirk. "You offered your assistance, did you not? Just taste it for me." He said approaching her the dish in his hand lifting towards her lips. She swallowed noisily and nodded extending her hand to take the dish from him, but he refused to let her take it. "Allow me Miss Kaoru." He said softly.
Her heartbeat took off at an incredible pace as he placed two slender fingers beneath her jaw and pressed the dish to her lips with the opposite hand gently tilting her head back and parting her lips with the pressure of his hands. She took a generous sip before he took the dish away.
"Is it good Miss Kaoru?" He asked swiping a drop of the brown colored liquid from her lip with his thumb making her breath hitch.
"Y-Yes." She replied her voice so breathy it was embarrassing.
He smiled at her, a smile that she'd rarely seen before. There was something about his eyes that reminded her of when he went into what she thought of as Battousai mode. The serious warrior about to do battle. Then again instead of the cold heat that reminded her more of a lightning strike it was more like the hot flames of a raging inferno. It made something spark to life in her blood and she looked away as that heat went straight to the juncture between her thighs with an intense throb that nearly made her gasp.
"That's good." Kenshin said in a voice that was a touch lower and rougher than she was used to. "I'm glad you like it Miss Kaoru." He said before setting the dish down and stirring the pot he was cooking with.
"Do I have time to take a bath?" She asked him.
He turned back to her and nodded. "Yes Miss Kaoru. The water is already prepared. Is Yahiko eating with us tonight?"
She nodded. "Yes. I just asked him."
He smiled and returned the gesture. Just as Kaoru was about to bolt from the room since the heat was becoming unbearable he reached out and grabbed her arm lightly.
"Miss Kaoru, may I ask something of you?" He asked.
She felt like she was going to catch on fire from where he was touching her! She hadn't felt anything so intense before. She just barely managed to keep from ripping her arm from his hand as she focused on his words.
"Of course Kenshin." She replied. "Ask anything."
He smiled at her and glanced at the ground. He looked almost… Nervous. It baffled her. Kenshin was rarely nervous, he was too well disciplined for that. The concern she felt immediately banked the fire slithering through her blood as she approached him.
"Kenshin?" She questioned reaching out to gently touch his face.
"Yes, sorry Miss Kaoru." He said shaking his head slightly. "I was wondering, perhaps, would you join me on a walk near the river tonight?"
She blinked in surprise. It really wasn't such a big deal. She enjoyed his company and the river bank was lovely this time of year with the leaves turning from green to scarlet.
"Yes, I'd like that very much." She said with a shy smile.
"Good." He replied smiling wider. "Now go take your bath now Miss Kaoru before the water gets cold."
She nodded and quickly went to her room to gather a clean set of clothes. She was glad Kenshin had told her of his river plan now instead of at dinner. Otherwise she would have picked one of her old kimonos. She wasn't a terribly vain person. She'd been raised by her single father in a kendo dojo filled with men for most of her life. Things like makeup and fancy updos were a waste of time, effort and resources when she spend most of her time wiping down floors and moving through sword katas. However, she found that she wanted to look good for this little outing Kenshin had suggested. Her heart fluttered with a little hope. Perhaps he was finally starting to see her as a woman and not just the helpless little girl he'd saved more than a year ago.
%8%
"Shall we go Miss Kaoru?" Kenshin said offering his arm to the young woman.
"Yes." She replied laying her slender hand on his forearm. "It's a nice night for a walk in the moonlight." She remarked looking up at the full moon above them.
"That it most certainly is." He replied leading her through the gate and down the street making his way towards the river bank.
They walked in companionable silence for many minutes and Kenshin took the time to steal glances at the woman next to him. She was lovely wearing a blue, pink and green kimono that brought out the flecks of cobalt in her eyes and the sheen of midnight blue in her hair. She'd tied it up into her signature high ponytail holding the inky mass in place with a pale pink ribbon. As he studied her, he noticed that the hem of the garment was higher than he remembered glimpses of the creamy pale skin of her legs constantly visible as they walked. Her sleeves seemed to be in a similar predicament, coming down to about two inches above her wrists, His gaze shifted over her torso and his breath nearly hitched at the fullness he could just make out under her clothes. It seemed that Yahiko wasn't the only one going through a period of growth. His sweet Kaoru was as well.
It sent a strane wave of nervousness and trepidation through him. Would he be denying her something by claiming her as his own? She was nearly a decade his junior. She was just entering the period where her strength, health, and beauty would be at its peak while he was about to crest that peak and swiftly begin to decline. He worried that she would eventually become unsatisfied with him and briefly considered leaving but pushed that sentiment away as quickly as it came. She would come after him like she always did and probably end up in a heap of trouble before crying and then clobbering him for leaving her. No, he wouldn't do that, he couldn't. He'd promised to himself and her that he would stay with her. Tomoe had told him that she wanted his smile most. How could he even think of walking away with such powerful forces pushing him.
"I remember the last time we ended up here." Kaoru said as they stopped on the riverbank. "There were beautiful fireflies dancing in the air and I was so happy." She turned and looked at him with sadness and a hint of fear in her eyes. "Then you held me and told me that you were leaving." her head lowered. "I couldn't even make my legs move, even though I wanted to chase after you so badly. All I could do was lay on the ground and cry like a child."
Kenshin's eyes also dimmed at the memory. He thought he'd been doing it to protect them, protect her. Now he knew he was only coward, that their lives had already been bound and had his enemies wanted to go after him, they still would have wound up targeting her and his friends first.
"I apologize Miss Kaoru for being the source of such an unhappy memory." He said stopping and turning towards her. He looked down at her lovely eyes, her beautiful face and gently reached up to gently drag his knuckles down her cheekbone. When her hand tentatively lifted to rest against his forearm, the warmth seemed to give him the confidence boost he needed. "Miss Kaoru," He said softly. "From the moment you swung that wooden sword at me, I was captivated by you. Out of nowhere came this reckless, passionate, honor bound, beautiful girl who was willing to die to protect the honor of the school her father had created. I could not leave you alone that I couldn't." He said with a little chuckle. "Since then, I know my presence, my past has made your life difficult."
"Oh Kenshin, I never-"
He pressed a finger to her lips silencing her. "Let me finish." He murmured pulling his finger away. "Even so, you stayed by my side, chased me halfway across Japan and always brought me back here, back home. After the most recent battles we've fought I made a decision to stop running from my past… and my feelings." he lifted his hand and cupped her cheek. "I care about you more than anyone, I always want to see a smile on your face. I want you to be happy. I never want you to be alone again." He touched his forehead to hers and took a deep breath stealing his courage. "What I'm trying to say is, I love you Miss Kaoru. Will you allow me the honor of courting you?"
Her eyes widened in surprise her hand flying to her mouth to cover her lips as her eyes filled with tears.
"Do you mean that? Truly?" She asked her voice shaking.
"I do. I truly do Miss Kaoru." Kenshin replied.
He was gifted with the largest, most brilliant smile he'd ever seen on her face and her arms flew around his neck as she all but tackled him to the ground.
"Yes! Oh yes Kenshin!" She exclaimed hugging him tightly.
Kenshin chuckled lightly and wrapped his arms around her waist holding her as close to him as possible. Her warmth was intoxicating but he pushed back the sparks of arousal that wanted to rage into an inferno. This moment was beautiful, precious, and infinitely important. He wasn't about to let this memory be tainted by lust, there would be plenty of time for those kinds of feelings later. For now he just wants to focus on her happy half giggle, half sob sounds she was making against his neck and the sensation of her strong arms holding him close. After a few moments, her grip loosen and he leaned back a little to see her face brushing the tears he could see away with his thumbs.
"Miss Kaoru, I have a gift for you." He said reaching into his shirt to pull out the red wrapped package. "It is customary for a man to give a woman a gift when he asks for permission to court her is it not?"
She blushed and nodded tucking a stray section of hair behind her ear. "I umm… I think so. I'm not really sure. My mom died before she could teach me any of those things and my dad didn't think they were important, but from what I've heard, I think that's customary." She said her voice shaking as she twisted her fingers nervously in front of her.
Kenshin smiled at his beautiful, shy, adorable beloved and handed his package to her. "Open it." He encouraged.
Kaoru nodded and tugged on the piece of twine holding the package together and slid the new indigo ribbon across her palms. "This looks exactly like the one I gave you last year." she remarked.
He nodded. "Yes it does. I ruined your last one so I thought I'd replace it. Is it a proper gift?" He asked cautiously his face losing a bit of it's smile as insecurity slithered through him like snakes.
His lovely girl smiled and nodded her cheeks blazing. "It's perfect. Thank you so much Kenshin." a smirk touched her full pink lips. "I'll take better care of it than you took care of mine."
He chuckled and took her hand in his. "Come, we should be heading back, but while we do, will you tell me a little about what happened when…" He took a deep breath, remembering that day where he found that doll with a sword through its heart, certain it was Kaoru, his precious, beloved Kaoru still made his heart ache. "When you were taken from us?" He finally finished using the only words he could get out. She tensed a little, her hand gripping his tightly and he rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand gently. "Take your time." He assured her. "There's no rush."
She nodded and was quiet for a few minutes before she began to speak.
"After you were attacked by the man with the armstrong cannon attached to his arm Megumi and I ran away while Saito and Sano tried to help you. I got seperated from Megumi in the smoke and then." Her eyes glazed over. "I saw him. He came towards me and told me that his quarrel wasn't with me but that he needed to 'make me a victim'. He asked me to come with him and I refused. I tried to defend myself with my wooden sword but," Her head lowered and he noticed her eyes were tinged with shame. "He was way too fast for me, even with all of those injuries. It was like your speed, one moment he was standing in front of me the next he was behind me with his blade poised to strike." She shuddered and moved closer to him. "He covered my mouth so no one would hear me scream and struck me hard. I don't know what happened after that." She said her slim frame trembling where it touched his own.
Kenshin stopped in the middle of the road and pulled her beneath a willow growing near the side of the dirt packed path and pulled her into his arms using his body and the low hanging branches of the tree to protect them from any prying eyes that might be wandering about so late in the evening.
"I'm so sorry my beloved." He whispered holding her close on arm wrapped around her slender waist while his opposite hand stroked her tail of hair. "I'm so sorry you experienced such terrible things all alone." He squeezed her tighter tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. "I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you Kaoru."
She returned his embrace burying her face in the crook of his neck. "It wasn't your fault." She replied her voice still trembling a little. "I know you did everything you could. It was Enshi who is to blame." She gripped the back of his shirt firmly in her hands. "I'm sorry I couldn't get away from him."
"Shh." Kenshin crooned into her hair. "You are not to blame at all for what happened. Not a single thing that happened was your fault Miss Kaoru. Don't blame yourself."
The raven haired girl chuckled a little. "That is much easier said than done Kenshin." She teased.'
Kaoru smiled up at him and took his hand again. Taking this as a signal to continue down the road, he held her hand tightly and walked towards the dojo.
"When I woke up I was in a western style bed wearing a yukata." She explained. "I searched the house and found Enshi. He told me that he wouldn't harm me but if I tried to escape he wouldn't be able to ensure my safety."
She followed Kenshin inside the dojo walls and they circled around to the kitchen where he filled a kettle with water and let it heat for tea.
"Go get into your sleeping clothes Miss Kaoru. I'll meet you in the usual spot in just a few minutes. Remember to take your time and if it becomes too much, you don't have to say anymore. I won't press you."
She nodded and walked away padding down to her bedroom. He quickly went to his own bedroom and changed before running back to the kitchen to brew their tea. He carried the pot and cups to their usual spot on the veranda between their two sleeping spaces. Kaoru was already there a knitted shawl wrapped around her shoulders, her dark hair released from it's high ponytail and woven into a thick braid over her shoulder, her gaze locked on the moon overhead a pensive expression on her face. She turned and smiled at him as he approached and he smiled back.
"Do you wish to continue where you left off or should we talk about something else Miss Kaoru?" He asked her as he poured them tea.
"I'll continue. I'm afraid that if I stop now, I won't be able to start again." She confessed rubbing her shoulders lightly over the fabric of her shawl.
So brave. Kenshin thought as he watched her expression and sensed her Ki fluctuate as she prepared herself to finish her story. He believed it is the reason he fell in love with her in the first place. Her pure heart combined with her incredible bravery and desire to help her friends was a balm to his battered soul.
"Alright." Kaoru said taking the pottery cup between her palms. "Where was I? Oh yes, Enshi told me not to escape. However, I couldn't just sit there. So I waited until that Chinese man and his giants left and then snuck downstairs. I found a broom and took the handle before going back to Enshi's room."
Kenshin's eyes widened. "You were going to attempt to defeat him on your own?" He voice incredulous. He wasn't sure if he should applaud her or scold her.
"Well I couldn't just sit there!" She protested. "I wasn't about to be trapped on an island with the man who had taken me from my friends, the person who wanted the man I love to suffer!"
Her cheeks went pink at the admission and she glanced over at him. The former assassin simply smiled at her and reached over to her stroking his fingers along her cheekbone. She seemed to be reassured by his gesture and continued.
"I found him sleeping on the balcony in his room. I approached him and was about to make my move when I heard him whimpering in his sleep. I moved closer and noticed he was crying. I was… So confused. Then started talking, babbling about how his sister wouldn't smile for him anymore. He looked like he was in so much pain, I… I lose my nerve." She admitted. "Then he suddenly bolted awake and looked at me. His eyes… They were so dark, so… frightening. He said 'Is it because she's still alive? His replacement for you? All I have to do is kill her right?' He attacked me then, pushed me to the ground and wrapped his hands around my neck and started squeezing." Her hands drifted up to her neck and Kenshin felt a flicker of desire to hunt down Enshi and make him pay for laying his hands on her. "I fought back as best I could, but I was no match for him in terms of strength and weaponless. Just when I was sure I was going to die, he suddenly let me go and ran away getting violently ill as he did. I guess for a moment I must have looked like her." Kaoru said her eyes lowering to the ground.
Kenshin slid closer to him moving the tray to his side and threaded his arm around her shoulder pulling her head against his shoulder. "I know I said this earlier, but again, I am so sorry you had to face such horrors alone." He murmured softly. "How I wish I could have been there to protect you."
"I know." Kaoru replied laying her hand in his lap. "After that our dynamic… changed. I started doing the cooking and cleaning for him and he seemed to soften up a little. We talked from time to time but I was still determined to get away. Though it was next to impossible since I didn't have a clue where he'd hidden my clothes and shoes, not to mention the fact that I didn't know much of anything about the island itself." She sighed and snuggled closer into his side. "As much as it irritated me, I was just waiting, waiting for you and the others to come and save me."
Kenshin felt a pang of guilt sear him like one of Shishio's flaming blade strikes. She'd been waiting for him and yet he had abandoned her and their friends in favor of self imposed exile. What would have happened to her if he hadn't seen the light? If they hadn't realized she was still alive somewhere. He gripped her tighter and gently stroked her braid.
"When you arrived, Enshi gave me my clothes and shoes and told me to follow him down to the beach where all of you were waiting. The rest, you already know." She said.
"I see." Kenshin replied continuing to stroke his fingers through her hair.
"I do think that there is something wrong with him, a little anyway." Kaoru said taking his free hand in hers. "I also think that he was just a little boy who truly loved his sister and was devastated by her death." She gripped his hand tightly. "I just hope he finds some peace out there, wherever her is."
"So do I miss Kaoru, so do I." Kenshin said holding her closer to him.
They sat like that for nearly an hour, saying little as they watched the stars and moon above. When Kenshin heard her yawn for the third time he gently nudged her with his shoulder.
"Come Miss Kaoru." He said softly. "Let us get you into bed."
Kaoru nodded and rose to her feet. Kenshin ushered her to her sleeping room and opened the door. She stepped just inside the threshold and clasped her hands in front of her with her eyes trained on the floor.
"Umm… Kenshin?" She said softly.
"What is it Kaoru?" He asked.
"Well, you know since we're going through this courtship thing, I was wondering if… oh this is so embarrassing." She stammered her face turning redder with every stumble of her tongue.
"What is it?" He asked laying his hands on her shoulders. "You can ask me anything, that you can." He assured her.
She nibbled on her top lip sending a bold of lust straight to his groin but he did his best to ignore it as he focused on the raven haired beauty in front of him.
"Would you… I mean will you... " Kaoru stammered her face turning an even deeper shade of red.
"Tell me Miss Kaoru. What can I do for you my beloved?" He asked.
The term of endearment seemed to give her the nudge she needed and she took a deep breath her entire body tensing.
"Please kiss me Kenshin." She said. His eyes widened and she lifted her hands in surrender. "You don't have to, but I just thought that since we… You know this was an awful idea I'm just going to-"
Kenshin cut off her verbal retreat with his mouth, pressing a chaste kiss to her lips. They were warm and soft against his own and it took every ounce of self restraint he possessed to keep it light and innocent, well as innocent as a kiss between two adults could be anyway
When he pulled away her eyes were still closed. They slowly opened and he was both aroused and touched by what he saw. She was practically glowing and her ki was shimmering with joy. Had he known kissing her would make them both feel this good, he would have done it a long time ago.
He smiled at her and cupped her cheeks in his hands. "Did that satisfy you my beloved?" He asked stroking her cheek bones with his thumbs.
She smiled dreamily and nodded her cheeks coloring prettily under his hands.
"Very well then. I wish you a good night then." He replied releasing her so that she could enter her own sleeping space.
"Goodnight Kenshin." She said her hand on the door.
"Goodnight Miss Kaoru." He replied waiting until she'd closed and locked the door before collecting the tray with his teapot, and their cups.
Author's Notes: A while ago I was requested to write a Kenshin Kaoru fic. I was intimidated at first but have been working on this on and off recently. If you want more please let me know. P.S. This won't take away from my SasuSaku fic. Writing this has actually helped me a bit with some writer's block I was experiencing with that story.