A/N. Hello, again! I guess you guys have basically picked up the mood of these stories now, I hope. I like this one better than the first, so I hope that you guys enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed typing it. :) And thanks Scarred Sword Heart, I'm pretty sad with this technical stuff. --;
Disclaimer: Same disclaimer applies as before. The basic idea and the characters are not mine. Once again though, everything else is:)
Soft movement slowly coaxed Kenshin out of his sleep. He carefully opened his eyes to find that Kaoru was already out of bed and putting on a robe. Kenshin allowed his eyes to fully open and took in the new winter chill, he breathed deeply and caught a familiar smell.
This scent brought back many different memories for Kenshin; most he didn't want to think about right now. No sooner had Kenshin pushed those thoughts firmly from his mind than he heard Kaoru speak. She was leaning her hand on the frame of the door that led outside. The other hand she had extended in front of her as she looked up at the sky in wonder. "Hey Kenshin! It's snowing! And no wonder, since it's been getting so cold..."
While Kaoru was talking Kenshin had pulled himself out of his warm bed. He was a little reluctant to get up, but Kaoru was infinitely better warmth than an empty bed, so he got up and put on his own robe. He walked silently up behind her and stuck his head out over her shoulder while leaning his hands against the doorframe. He breathed in that familiar smell, much stronger now, the scent of snow. "Ahh," he said, "it really is."
"That's right," agreed Kaoru.
"It's already…that time of year…" replied Kenshin. As he spoke he pushed his body in closer to Kaoru's and she began to pay him much more attention now. Kenshin seemed unaware of the blush that now coloured Kaoru's cheeks as he gazed out into the snow. He unconsciously moved in closer still to Kaoru to both give and receive warmth.
Without realizing what she did, Kaoru slowly brought her hands up to her fast beating heart. She closed her eyes and said, "Ne, Kenshin." Smiling warmly Kenshin turned to look at Kaoru and replied, "Hm? What is it Kaoru-dono?" Kaoru's face fell instantly. She let out a small, "Humph," frowning slightly. Kenshin, not knowing what he did wrong, waited for Kaoru to say something more hoping she would explain her odd behaviour.
Kaoru looked down at her joined fingertips unable to look him in the eye. She couldn't think of a good way to say what she wanted to say, "…So then…No, I mean…" No, no, no, she thought annoyed, all wrong! Frustrated, she decided to try a different approach.
Kenshin watched as his wife's face went from expressing annoyance and frustration to shy playfulness in all of three seconds. Cautious now, Kenshin waited for Kaoru to continue. "Ken-shi-n," Kaoru said stressing the syllables in his name. Kenshin looked down at Kaoru and noted the hand she had up by her chin and the shy way she looked up at him through her long lashes.
Even more confused than before Kenshin's mind raced to figure out what that meant. What could she possibly be trying to say, thought Kenshin in bewilderment. Afraid it was one of those things Kaoru expected him to understand without explanation he carefully replied, "Ummm…yes?" In an instant he knew it was the wrong answer. Kaoru's face fell again and she looked both disappointed and annoyed that whatever she had been trying to tell him, he had not understood.
Trying a different tactic Kaoru stepped back from Kenshin. Her cheeks were a little too red to be flushed from just the cold and Kenshin could only watch her in confusion as she began to speak. Hands clasped behind her back Kaoru tried again, "So. Then. Kenshin. When I say that, you…?" Kenshin blinked. When Kaoru-dono says that…he thought, then…? Ah! Thinking he understood, Kenshin stepped forward and gently took Kaoru's chin in his hand. He closed his eyes and slowly moved to kiss her.
WHAM! Kaoru threw out her hands and pushed Kenshin's face away from hers. "No! Not that!" She yelled as she forcefully shoved the poor ex-rurouni's head into the doorframe with little restraint. "Orooorooo!" Kenshin exclaimed as his head began to spin. After a second he turned back to Kaoru and rubbed his injured head as he asked, "Th-then…what is it?"
Still blushing furiously, Kaoru tugged on Kenshin's sleeve bringing him closer. She moved in and whispered in his ear bringing her hand up in the universal gesture of telling someone a secret. Kenshin's eyes widened in surprise as he listened to what Kaoru had to say. When she was done Kenshin pulled back and chuckled softly, looking at Kaoru fondly.
He pulled Kaoru into a warm embrace and said softly, "Ah! Of course…" Kaoru smiled, happy that he finally understood. She closed her eyes and said softly, but clearly, "Kenshin…" Kenshin gently pulled away and cupped the sides of Kaoru's face. He looked deep into her clear blue eyes and said just as softly and firmly, "Kaoru…" moving closer to her, Kenshin tasted the name again in his mouth and allowed it to roll off his tongue, "Kaoru…" Kaoru smiled happily and answered, "Yes…" In response Kenshin simply closed the distance between them. He brought his lips gently down on hers and kissed her sweetly and softly with all his adore for her.
Carefully gathering Kaoru into his arms Kenshin stood with her on the porch outside their room in the dojo. He felt Kaoru snuggle closer into his chest and he breathed in the ever-familiar smell of snow. He closed his eyes and brought his hand up to gently caress the top of Kaoru's head. "This one did not know…that winter could be this warm." Kaoru laughed softly and replied, "No, Kenshin. Winter is always cold, it's the people that love you that stay warm." Kenshin smiled and held Kaoru a little tighter. Maybe the scent of snow didn't always have to be so bad after all.