Kenshin smiled dreamily as he prepared breakfast. He could hardly believe the turn his life had taken in the past twelve hours. He was courting his beloved Kaoru. He had kissed his sweet Kaoru under the moonlight. Life truly could not get much better than it was right now.
"Hey Kenshin." Yahiko said walking into the room. "What happened to Kaoru yesterday?"
Kenshin nearly dropped the knife he was using to dice a block of tofu into the soup pot.
"What do you mean?" He asked cautiously.
He wasn't surprised that the boy had noticed something. Yahiko was not only a swordsman in training, but he'd both observed and participated in death matches between some of the greatest warriors Japan had ever know. That combined with his past as a pickpocket left the boy with some of the sharpest eyes Kenshin had ever seen.
"She's so happy it's almost… scary. I called her a hag twice and she simply patted my head with a smile on her face and moved on. It's kind of creeping me out." He admitted.
Kenshin chuckled. "There is no reason to worry, that there isn't." He said stirring the stew pot before turning to check on the rice. "It is a good thing that she is so happy."
Yahiko's eyes narrowed at the seasoned swordsman. "You know something." He accused. "Spill it. Did Kaoru find another painting to sell or something? I noticed her picking through the remains of the storage shed after practice."
Kenshin hadn't heard about that but decided to push it out of his mind for now. He could ask her what she was searching for later. He considered telling Yahiko about the change in his and Kaoru's relationship. The boy could be a little brat and had a tendency to run his mouth, but he truly cared for Kaoru. Their courtship would further reassure the boy that she wasn't going to be taken from them again not the mention the fact that he'd likely be angry if he found out later.
"Kenshin, do you need any help?" Kaoru asked walking into the kitchen with a smile on her lips and blush on her cheeks.
"As a matter of fact, I do." He replied. "Come here Miss Kaoru."
She complied immediately walking towards him. When she came close enough, her reached out and pulled her gently to his side wrapping his arm around her waist.
"Yahiko," Kenshin said watching was the boy's eyes widened at the physical display of affection between the couple in front of him. "Last night, I asked Kaoru for permission to court her. She agreed."
Yahiko's eyes widened further as a deep blush swept across Kaoru's face.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru hissed. "Why did you tell him?" She asked tucking her face against her chest. "Now he'll have one more thing to tease me about." She muttered so softly he knew that only he had heard her words.
"Seriously?" Yahiko asked. "You're courting Kaoru?"
"I am." Kenshin replied giving Kaoru's waist a gentle squeeze.
The young man appeared to consider this new information and then nodded. "Ok then." He said. "This clumsy hag is the only girl with enough guts to put up with you." The boy replied. "I don't mind, not with how…" Kenshin's eyes met Yahiko's dark eyes and silent understanding passes between them, Kenshin had fallen apart without Kaoru just as she had when Kenshin had left her to leave for Kyoto. "Anyway, congrats, just keep the mushy stuff to a minimum when I'm around."
"As you wish." Kenshin replied with a smile releasing his beloved to finish cooking the breakfast soup.
"You're taking this exceptionally well." Kaoru said filling a cup with cold water.
Yahiko shrugged and looked towards the dojo his eyes dimmed with a faraway look. "Yeah well… it's best when everyone is together." He said before walking over to help dish up the rice.
#%#%
"What do you mean you were rejected?!" A low voice hissed.
"Exactly what I said father. Kaoru's guardian refused to let me see her." Natsume said shifting nervously in front a massive desk in a darkened study.
The thin man on the other side of the desk shifted forward lacing his fingers together under his chin. "Did you find any useful information?" he asked.
Natsume cleared his throat and pulled a piece of paper from his hands. "Yes. The rumors of a doctor, street fighter, and swordsman being her close associates were confirmed by many villagers." He said. "However, the doctor in question has left to return to Aizu, the street fighter has gone missing after becoming wanted by the government. The whereabouts of the swordsman were conflicting at best. Some say he wandered off, others said he remains at the dojo."
"Did you investigate further?" The older man asked.
The young man nodded. "I spoke to several of her students. They told me that the Yahiko Myojin, a young swordsman in training spends a lot of time there. I was also informed that she has a live in caretaker, her guardian. They didn't mention anything about a swordsman."
"Very well then. Return to Tokyo and bring Kaoru here. We'll conduct the marriage as planned." The man said.
"Father!" Natsume retorted. "It isn't right to force her into marriage like this. She seems happy there and all of the local kendo practitioners and students adore her. Why take that from her?"
"It's a disgrace!" The man shouted slamming his fist onto his desk. "A woman, no. A mere girl owning property! Teaching the sacred art of kendo! It's wrong! She oversteps her place, but I will show her where it is. A woman's place is in the kitchen and in the bedroom. Never in the dojo."
Natsume flinched and then nodded. "Yes father." He said softly. "I will take my leave to prepare for my journey now."
"Good. Bring some hired muscle with you. A girl that wild might be difficult for someone as weak as yourself to handle alone." The older man said. "In fact, I'll come with you to ensure you do the job right this time."
Outside the window there was a flash of moment and a nearly imperceptible tap of feet before a shadowy figure dashed across the manicured yard, scaled the wall and slipped over it.
"Aoshi!" Misao shouted throwing open the doors to her love's sleeping quarters.
"It's late Misao." The stoic man said not bothering to turn from where he was seated, his eyes trained on the text in front of him. "Keep the noise down. We have customers sleeping here."
She blushed and clapped her hands over her mouth. "Whoops!" She exclaimed softly.
"What did you learn?" Aoshi prompted.
"Kenshin was right about Natsume Mamiya." She replied moving further into the room where she knelt behind Aoshi and a little to the side. "It seems his father has a problem with Kaoru owning property and teaching kendo. He wants Natsume to marry her and teach her that a woman's place is in the kitchen and the bedroom." She shook her fist angrily. "I hate sexist bastards like him!" she snarled.
"Misao." Aoshi prompted softly. "Anything else?"
"Right!" she said shaking her head quickly a sheepish smile on her lips. "Mamiya senior ordered Natsume to return to Tokyo to get Kaoru and force her to come with him back here to marry Natsume. We can't let that happen! Kaoru loves Kenshin she can't marry someone else! We have to stop them!"
"Marriage isn't always about love." Aoshi reminded her. "However, I agree that they must be stopped. Kaoru and Kenshin suffered a lot at the hands of Enishi and his minions, they deserve peace while they recover."
"Yeah." Misao agreed hanging her head. "Kenshin and Yahiko were both so devastated when she vanished like that. I never want to see them like that again and Kaoru deserves to be happy with the one she loves."
"Come. We have to prepare for our journey." Aoshi said rising gracefully to his feet. " A written message will never reach them in time and I suspect our enemy will be traveling by horse drawn carriage."
"Right!" Misao said jumping to her feet. "This time, I will make it in time to protect Kaoru." She vowed with fire in her eyes her hands balled into fists.
She nearly jumped when she felt a large hand settle on her shoulder. "I know you will." He said softly before picking up the massive sheath that held his pair of twin blades.
Kaoru hummed happily as she pulled her comb through her silky black hair. It had been two weeks since Kenshin had started courting her and it had been lovely. He'd been sweet but slow touching her just a little more each day and leaving her with a sweet kiss each night. They'd gone for long walks along the river, and drank tea in the moonlight while talking about everything and nothing at all. Kenshin had begun to open up to her more. Telling her about his childhood, how he'd been sold to slave traders at a young age by his desperate, starving parents. He told her about the bandit attack that had befallen the group he was with and how the three young woman he'd come to care for had sacrificed their lives to protect him before Shishio had arrived and saved him.
"Shinta." She said softly aloud remembering the name he'd told her he'd been born with.
Shishiro said that it had seemed to soft for a warrior but she felt that it fit Kenshin well, both of his names did. He was a sweet, compassionate soul with a warrior's heart. There wasn't another like him anywhere, she was sure of it.
"Miss Kaoru?" Kenshin called out rapping lightly on her bedroom door. "Are you nearly ready? Yahiko will be expecting us soon."
"Almost!" She called back using the new indigo ribbon he'd gifted her to tie her hair up into it's customary ponytail.
She rose to her feel the smoothed out her kimono before walking to the door. Kenshin was dressed in black and grey, his normal red and white clothes still hanging on the line and he offered his arm to her.
"Shall we go Miss. Koru?" He asked softly.
She nodded and blushed lightly before taking his arm and allowed him to lead her across the yard and out the gate.
#&#&
They stayed that way, arm in arm as they walked the streets of Tokyo and Kenshin found that though many people stared, few looked at him with hostility. It seemed that hardly anyone had a problem with him courting Kaoru and he cursed himself a fool for worrying needlessly about soling her reputation. She was well liked, and respected in the community, it seemed that he was as well.
The arrived at the Akabeko and he was surprised to see that the sign read 'Closed for a private reservation'
"Did Yahiko get the day wrong?" Kaoru asked glancing around.
"Geeze you two are slow." Yahiko said appearing at the front of the building with Tsubame a step behind him. "Hurry inside, we don't have all night."
"Alright." Kaoru said cautiously following Kensin inside.
"Congratulations!" A chorus of voices shouted and Kenshin was surprised to see several of their friends and acquaintances gathered in the restaurant.
"What is all this?" He asked Yahiko.
The young man shifted a little nervously. "Well, I was talking to Tsubame about your courtship with Kaoru and Tae overheard us. She said we should do something since we're as close to family as Kaoru has."
Kenshin's expression softened and he felt Kaoru's hand tighten on the crook of his arm. He laid his free hand over hers and gave it an affectionate squeeze as he took in her surprised face and indigo eyes that were brimming with tears.
"You are so loved my beloved." He said softly touching his forehead to her temple.
"You two are so sweet." Tae sighed. "Come this way." She said motioning to a table laden with food. "It's time to celebrate."
Kenshin watched Kaoru as she ate, drank and laughed with her friends. Her eyes nearly aglow with happiness, warmth splashed across her cheeks, her hair shimmering in the candle light. It was sight that at one point, he'd feared he would never see again.
"How are you feeling young man?" Doctor Gensai said settling down beside him. "Are your wounds still healing properly?"
"Yes." Kenshin replied. "I will keep our appointment as promised. Next week?"
The doctor nodded before his normally jovial expression turned serious. "So you finally decided to stop wandering? You truly want to stay here, with her permanently?" He said his gaze falling on the young kendo teacher.
"Yes." Kenshin said. "Wherever she is, that is my home now. I have no desire to wander now."
The old man nodded and took a cup filling it with sake. "I was there the day little Kaoru was born." He said taking a sip. "She came out kicking and screaming in the middle of the night." He chuckled. "Her feisty nature was evident from the start. She'd needed that fire to. It sustained her through the loss of her mother, her father, the disgrace the Hiruma brothers left on her dojo. That girl has been fighting most of her life." His lips turned down into a frown. "I have only seen that fire in her die once. It was after a certain red haired young man who had swept into her life, suddenly left it again with little explanation as to why. Seeing her listless in bed, pale, and thin was a sight I'd never wanted to see. Despite my best efforts I wasn't able to cure her." He glanced at Kenshin. "I never want to see her in such a state again."
Kenshin understood exactly what the old doctor was getting at. His abandonment of Kaoru had devastated the young woman.
"It won't happen again." Kenshin replied firmly. "I will never leave her alone again like that again, there is not way I could." his head lowered. "Without her, I was a shell of a man. She is my love, my heart, my home."
The old man's expression softened and he clapped Kenshin on the back. "I'm glad to hear it boy. You make her happy. As long as you stay with her, I'm sure she will always smile."
"I hope so. I hope so." Kenshin said his eyes drifting to his beloved.
"Shall we go?" He asked her later after most of guests had left.
Kaoru nodded and he helped her to her feet. "Are you sure you don't want us to stay and help clean up, Tae?" she asked.
"No no no!" The tall woman said adamantly. "This was a party for you. The guests of honor never should clean up." She said with a smile. "You two love birds run along home."
Kaoru blushed and Kenshin smiled tucking her hand into the crook of his arm. "Very well then. Thank you very much for this." He said bowing slightly. "We appreciate it."
Tae smiled and nodded before shooing them out the door.
"That was a surprise." Kaoru said as they walked. "I wasn't expecting Tae and the others to throw us a party."
"You are well liked Miss Kaoru, I wasn't very surprised they did something like this for you." He replied.
"What were you talking to Dr. Gensai about?" She asked.
Kenshin chuckled lightly. "He was informing me that he and many others would be extremely displeased if I returned to my wandering ways." He covered her hand with his own and squeezed before she could pull away. "I will never leave you again. I promise. He leaned down brushing her ear with his lips. "I want to stay with you Miss Kaoru."
She blushed prettily under the moonlight and nodded leaning against his shoulder. "That makes me very happy." She said softly.
He smiled and led her along the path home. He knew the time to tell her about what had happened to him while she was missing was drawing near but he wanted to put it off just a little longer. Though he knew she wouldn't reject him over what he'd become, a part of him was worried she'd be disappointed by his behavior or worse, hurt by it.
"Are you alright?" She asked pulling him out of his train of thought.
"Of course. Why do you ask?" He replied.
"You nearly walked right past the gate." She said motioning to the large structure next to them.
"I apologize." He said pushing it open and leading her inside before closing it firmly behind them. "I was lost in thought."
"Care to share?" She asked.
"Another night, I promise." He replied leading her to her room. "It's already so late." the stopped at the door and he cupped her shoulders in his hands. "Sleep well my beloved." He said brushing his lips over her cheek.
"Goodnight Kenshin." She replied reaching up to gently stroke his cheek.
He smiled at her half lidded eyes, her toes lifting in anticipation and leaned down pressing his lips to hers. She was so soft and sweet. A small sigh left her lips, her arms moving to lock around his neck and he carefully deepened the kiss moving his lips until he could capture her full bottom lip between his own sucking lightly before he released her moving away slightly. Her eyes opened, a flame of desire dancing in their indigo depths, pink feathered across her cheeks and her lips were slightly parted as her breathing came out just a little faster than normal.
"More?" She whispered laying her hand on the heated flesh of his chest that was exposed by his shirt.
Her breathless pleading sent a shot of lust straight to his groin and he nearly moaned. "Sweet Miss Kaoru." He murmured taking her face between his palms. "How you tempt me." He whispered before he pressed his mouth to hers again.
He took it slowly moving his lips gently over hers. One hand slid back into her hair, the second slipped down her neck to her waist pulling her gently against his body. She was so sweet, so lovely, so young. It was like a dream making her bloom beneath his hands. She sighed and pressed herself more fully against him. When he felt his tongue slide around her lip, he knew it was time to pull back. He was riding too close to the edge of his control.
He broke away from her and rested his forehead against hers breathing quickly as he fought back his arousal gazing into her beautiful eyes. He lifted his head and pressed his lips to her forehead.
"Have I satisfied you my lady?" He said gently stroking her arms.
"Mmhmmm." She hummed almost drunkenly. "That was amazing." She breathed.
He smiled and nudged her gently towards her room. "Go to bed Miss Kaoru." He said gently. "I'll see you in the morning."
She smiled and nodded obediently a dazed look in her eyes. "Yes. Goodnight Kenshin." she said before slipping into her room.
Kenshin smiled at the closed door for a few moments before returning to his own rooms. He'd intended on courting her for a quarter of a year before proposing and arranging for a wedding. Now he doubted he'd make it that long. More importantly, he found he didn't want to. Why should they wait anyway? Yes courtship was important, especially in relationships where the two parties didn't know one another well. He and Kaoru weren't like other couples though. He and Kaoru knew each other better than most newly married couples. They'd lived under the same roof for the better part of a year. There was no reason to drag it out for much longer. Just long enough to ensure that Kaoru felt desired, and for no one to speak badly of their union when it happened. Another week or two would be more than enough time. Besides, it was harder to stay away from her with all of the feelings she'd awakened within him. He wanted her. His dreams lately had been plagued by images of her splayed out beneath him, her lithe body bare to his gaze, her skin tinged with pink, her lips parted and reddened little cries of pleasure slipping from her mouth as he covered her skin with his own.
He gasped and gritted his teeth as the images sent a bolt of desire straight to his groin. He dressed in his sleeping clothes quickly and panted as he imagined what being his sweet, pure Kaoru would be like. She would be nervous, but anxious to learn of that he was certain. Though his experience was limited, a scarce few encounters with Tomoe that he could count on one hand, he was hoping it would be enough to please her. He would coax his young wife gently, slowly with soft touches until she was writhing beneath him. Then, he would take her, finally allow himself the pleasure of becoming one with the woman who was the half of his soul he'd never known he was missing. He'd tangle his fingers in her dark hair and leave red and purple marks of passion all over her skin as he moved with her, their skin slipping and sliding along one another.
The sound of a rooster crowing startled him awake and he gasped jerking upright. He glanced around his room and sighed in relief before groaning and curling up into a ball gripping his hair in frustration. It had been so real! The scent of her skin, the sound of her voice, her skin beneath his hands. He dressed quickly and then rushed to the well and drew a bucket of water dumping the cold liquid over his head to calm his overheated body and clear his head.
"Kenshin?" Kaoru murmured sleepily from the veranda rubbing her eyes as she shuffled towards him. "Is something wrong? You're all wet."
"I'm fine Miss Kaoru." He replied trying desperately to keep his eyes off the delicious glimpse of cleavage her loose sleeping robe afforded him. "You're up quite early."
She nodded and yawned. "I'm not even sure why. It's alright though. That just means I'll be able to sneak in some private meditation before Yahiko shows up."
"That's true." Kenshin said. "I'll start preparing breakfast then."
She smiled at him and nodded. "Alright Kenshin." she said before going back inside. Leaving him staring after her with a smile on his face.
Author's Notes: Thanks for reading! I really appreciate it. Please let me know your thoughts and feelings on this story since I feel a bit out of my element with this particular story.