It's here . . .the moment you've all been waiting for . . .oh forget it you guys want to read the chapter not this dumb message thing . . .ON TO THE DISLCAIMER!
DISCLAIMER: One day . . .I WILL own Rurouni Kenshin . . .(witches laugh) and its little dog too!
Chapter 8: Meeting You
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Kenshin ran his fingers through his hair. 'The train should be here by now' he thought again for the 56th time. 'Calm down Himura . . .you're just nervous is all.' He glanced over at his buddy Sano who continued to pace up and down the nearby alley.
"Sano." Sano looked up at Kenshin "If you continue to pace you're going to wear your shoes out . . . why don't you come over and sit with me?"
"No can do buddy . . .I'm sick . . .if I sit down I don't know that I'll be able to get back up agin . . .I'll just stand . . ."
"You're not standing Sano . . .you're pacing . . ." Sano just glared at Kenshin. Kenshin shook his head, 'oh well' he thought 'I guess I should worry about myself first.' Kenshin ran his fingers through his hair again and sighed when he noticed the mayor and . . .Hajime Saito??? 'What on earth is Saito here for? He couldn't . . .there's no way . . .he DID!' Kenshin about fell off the rock he was sitting on as he realized that one of the coldest men in the entire surrounding community had the audacity to order himself a wife. 'I feel sorry for the woman that gets stuck with him.' Kenshin fiddled with the documents in his hand. He had brought them so that his wife would be able to find him. 'What if the train doesn't come today? I mean it was supposed to be here this morning and it's already mid-afternoon. What if ALL the men in this entire county got the date wrong?' Kenshin thought how unlikely the final possibility would be so he decided to tough out the situation anyway.
Another half-hour passed. Kenshin was just about to go get something to eat when he heard a distant train whistle. All the men surrounding gave a shout and immediately crowded around the disembarking station. Kenshin was unable to move at the moment. "Why am I making such a big deal out of this?' His thoughts were interupted when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"C'mon buddy! Let's go meet our soon to be wives!" Kenshin smiled up at his friend as he stood up. The two men walked over to the exit waiting for the big moment.
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Kaoru felt the train jerk as it began to slow down and she knew her moment of truth was here. She looked over at Megumi hesitantly.
Megumi smiled, "Don't worry Kaoru. Your man is gonna love you!"
Kaoru smiled tightly. She wondered what would happen once she stepped off the train. Would she ever see her newfound friends again? Sayo grabbed her bags which were at Kaoru's feet before sneering at Megumi with a final comment, "Hope you don't get stuck with some man who loves you one the spot Megumi. I would hate for you to have to eat your words." Megumi just smiled at Sayo as she made her way to the exiting line.
"You ready?" She questioned Kaoru.
"Hardly." Megumi smiled. She hoped that she and Kaoru wouldn't live too far from one another. She had grown quite attached to the little woman after all.
"Come now let's go make new lives for ourselves." Megumi grabbed her bags and went to the back f the line. Kaoru reached down and grabbed her bag slowly. Then doors opened. Kaoru quickly ran over to the exit and stepped down the short flight of stairs. She watched as ladies of all ages and sizes milled about looking for 'her man.' Kaoru looked around when she spotted him.
He was about 4 inches taller than she was, with sun-browned skin and blazing hair that was cropped off slightly below his shoulders. She watched his eyes as they turned from amazed into shock. Kaoru felt a twinge of hurt. Was she not good enough for him? What was wrong with her? Why was he looking at her like something was wrong? She wasn't going to take this! She had a good mind to just step back up on that train and get out of here. But her better judgement got the best of her and she just stood there in total humiliation.
All Kenshin could do was stare. 'They sent me . . .a child! The paper said she was 24 she couldn't be a day older than 20. She's so small . . .and fragile . . .she looks like she would break under a regular hard-days work." All these thoughts raced through his head until he looked into her eyes. What he saw shocked and alarmed him. HE saw pain filled eyes full of grief and disappointment. 'Himura you're such and idiot! How could you not even say hello? She feels like she's some sort of merchandise by now.' He did his best to smile as he walked up.
Kaoru saw his eyes flicker and change in an instant to warm and embracing. She saw him approach her slowly, and as her mind screamed for her to run she just stood there frozen and immovable.
"Hello, I'm Kenshin. I assume you are Kaoru Kamiya?" Kaoru nodded her head.
"You must be hungry. How about we get some food?" Kaoru once again just nodded. She couldn't get air to flow over her vocal cords.
"Where would you like to go? We don't have many options but we're one of the few towns with options at all." Kenshin laughed . . .more of a nervous laugh as he tried desperately to make conversation with this woman.
"How about Maybelles's Café? It's the favorite spot 'round these parts." Kaoru nodded again. Kenshin reached to take her bag from her when she snatched it away as if on impulse. "Ummmm . . ."Kenshin was dumbstruck.
Kaoru blushed furiously. 'Kaoru you idiot he was just trying to be nice.' She handed him her bag.
"Sorry." She mumbled as she walked past him into the quaint diner. Kenshin was alarmed at the lightness of the bag. 'Does she own nothing?' He sat down at the table across from her and signaled for Kate to come over.
"Morning Mister Himura, Mornin' Mis. Lovely weather we're a havin today tisn't it? Well the specials fer today is corn on da cob and beef stew it's a reeal bargain too if'n I dunno say myself."
"That sounds delicious Kate. Does that sound fine to you Kaoru?"
"Yes. It sounds delicious."
"Then that about does it thanks, Kate."
"Welcome."
Kenshin sipped his water as he scrutinized Kaoru out of the corner of his eye. She had hardly spoken 5 words since he met her. This was not going to be easy, and he certainly hadn't made things better by the way he acted at the station. Perhaps if she knew she would better understand his state of shock.
"Did you have a good trip?"
"Yes. It was very long." A strained silence stretched between the two.
"Is America as pretty as you expected?"
"Yes it's very lovely." Silence.
"I must ask you a question." He waited until Kaoru was looking at him. "Why did you lie to the interviewer?"
Kaoru was taken aback. 'What on earth is he talking about? I never lied to an interviewer.'
Kenshin watched, as Kaoru was clearly shocked and angered by his statement. "What on earth do you mean?" she seethed through clenched teeth. "I never lied to any interviewer nor do I intend to lie to anyone. How dare you impugn my honor?"
Kenshin reeled as she practically flamed out in fury. "I only say so because you couldn't be a day older than 20."
"I KNOW that! I'm 19 for crying out loud don't you think I know that?" Kaoru did all she could to keep from shouting at this arrogant man in front of her, 'Thinks he can read me like a book does he? Hah.'
"Well, then why did my document on you say you were 24 hmmm?" Kenshin saw her pale and all her indignation vanish before his eyes.
"24?" He nodded. She dropped her eyes. Kenshin was confused a moment ago she was a firecracker waiting to be set off. Now she was a timid as a lamb waiting to be trampled upon.
"I . . .don't know . . .why it said 24 . . . I told the interviewer I was 19." Now it was Kenshin's turn to be stunned. 'Kenshin you idiot. She didn't lie. The interviewer did. He faked her age so that she would be accepted and the demand would be met.
"Ms. Kaoru please forgive me. I am so sorry that I assumed that is was you who told the lie. That was wrong of me."
"It's all right I can see how the mistake could be easily made." Kenshin smiled weakly as their food was brought to the table.
"Thanks Kate this looks great!"
"Welcome."
They both began eating each lost in their own thoughts. When Kenshin decided he should probably let her know how it was going to be around the house.
"Now, Kaoru, I must tell you now how things will be run in the household. You will cook and I will work in the fields. You will have miniscule daily chores for the time being until you at least build up enough stamina to do more than just milk the cow. I run a cattle ranch and corn fields. It involves a lot of work. During harvesting season I will need your help in the fields and during the winter you will need to help tend to the cows. Do you understand?"
"I do. It's just that . . .you will teach me how to do the things you want me to do won't you?"
'So that was the hesitation in her eyes . . .not the work . . .just the 'how.' He smiled inwardly then stated, "of course I will teach you." She smiled and nodded.
"Now as for anything other than work the only thing I require is complete and total honesty. No white lies and don't say something of you don't mean it and I will do the same. Understand?"
She nodded slowly.
"For example: don't even think of telling me you love me until you really and truly do, and I will do the same."
Kaoru visibly relaxed. 'Good,' she thought, 'I didn't think I could handle that part.' Kenshin smiled when he saw her relax a little and go back to eating her food. She seemed to understand things and she seemed to be willing at least. At least he didn't get stuck with a lazy woman.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *They finished their meal and headed outside. The sun was just setting and Kaoru looked at the horizon as the clouds changed to a purple gold.
"Come, Kaoru. Let's go back to the inn."
'Inn? She thought starting to panic. 'WE haven't gotten married yet! Calm down Kaoru take a breath of course you haven't gotten married yet . . .it's too late in the evening and there were about a hundred other women to be married today.' She breathed slowly as she followed Kenshin down the sidewalk. 'If he thinks he can just walk into my life and sleep in the same room with me without being properly married he has another thing coming.' With that Kaoru planned her BIG production with which she would dash all his thoughts of her being an 'loose' woman.
Kenshin felt Kaoru's tenseness as the entered the lobby of the inn.
"Good evening Mister Himura!"
"Evening I'm here to pick up the keys."
"Here you are Sir." The clerk grinned at Kaoru. Just glared back. This was absolutely appalling. Kenshin walked up to the door and unlocked it.
"Well here you are." He turned to let Kaoru into the room when he saw her face. Stone cold. He was alarmed for a moment and wondered why she wouldn't at least look at the room.
Kaoru couldn't believe it! He really DID think she was a 'loose' woman. She was just about to slap him when she felt his hand take hers and press a cold metal object into it. She looked down at her hand at the key and looked back up at Kenshin with a question in her eyes.
"Uhh well, here's your key. If you need me I'll be down the hall." He turned to walk down the corridor. After he had gone a few steps he wheeled around, "Oh and another thing. Our wedding is in the morning at 10. My best man Sano will escort you there. Is that fine with you?" Kaoru nodded. "Ok then see you tomorrow Ms. Kaoru."
Kaoru waited until Kenshin unlocked his door and went inside before entering her own room. When she did she shut the door behind her and leaned against it. 'He bought two rooms . . .one for me and one for him . . .he wasn't planning on staying with her through the night from the beginning.' She regretted how she had misjudged him, but, then again, he had done the same thing earlier so she assumed they were even.
She glanced around her room familiarizing herself with her new surroundings. She was getting used to it after all. After having 3 new homes in the past 2 and a half weeks she practically had the procedure down. She walked over to the bed and flung herself on it. 'A mattress . . .it's been soooo long since I've lain on a mattress. She buried her face in the pillow as she thought of what tomorrow was to bring. "Sano? Did he say Sano? That was Sayo's husband . . .or fiancée oh whatever he was.' It was a comforting thought compared to the thought of marriage. She rolled over onto her back to stare at the ceiling. 'Well, Kaoru, tomorrow you'll be a married woman. What do you plan to do next.' She sighed and closed her eyes. She was so tired. Tomorrow was going to come one way or another and she was going to have to face it with sleep or without it.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Kenshin had lain on his bed from the time he entered his room thinking about Kaoru Kamiya. 'She looks so naïve, yet she has an inner strength about her.' He smiled as he remembered how she fumed at him at the dinner table. 'She certainly has a temper. I wonder where she comes from? I wonder why she left. She's absolutely beautiful why-' Kenshin stopped. 'Where did that thought come from?' He wondered. 'I mean she is . . . but that doesn't give me the right to think it yet . . .' Kenshin sighed and rolled on to his side. He didn't have the slightest clue how to go about marriage but he knew one thing, he had better be a fast learner.
* * * * * * * * * * *In the Morning * * * * * * * * * *The slight shaking of her arm awakened Kaoru. "Hmm? What?"
"You're awake finally! Now come on you don't have all day you know you have your own wedding to attend!"
Kaoru looked up groggily at her 'alarm clock.' When her eyes about popped out of her head. "Misao!" She jumped out of the bed and hugged her friend. Misao only laughed.
"Well, good morning to you too lazy bones. Now come on you need to take a bath." Misao began to prepare the bath water.
"What time is it?" Kaoru asked as she looked outside at the sky.
"Ohh about 6:30 you'll have plenty of time to get dressed now get in the bath while I try to find you the perfect dress."
"I think my mother put a dress in my bag . . .but it's probably dirty."
"Not to worry I'll just go have it washed then. Be back in a flash." Misao left in a whirlwind and Kaoru began to clean the dirt out from under her nails. NO sooner had Misao left then she returned.
"You're back already?" Kaoru asked astonished. Yes I just had Ben take the dress to the cleaners."
"Ben? I thought you married Aoshi?"
"I did! And oh it was wonderful he's so tall and handsome. Ben is just my personal attendant if you know what I mean."
"You have your own personal attendant?" Kaoru Gawked.
"Yep. Ughhh, Kaoru, your hair is a filthy mess it has so many tangles."
"What do you expect after so much travel with no brush?" Misao giggled.
"I guess you're right. Now let me see I think I put by brush in my purse. Aha here it is!"
"So you're already married?"
"Yep. Aoshi and I were married as soon as we could get the minister to wed us."
"That's incredible. And you're very pleased with Aoshi?"
"Oh who wouldn't be? He's the perfect gentleman and he's so handsome. I just can't wait for you to meet him. Maybe we can have you and your husband over for dinner sometime soon! That would be so much fun!"
"Misao?"
"Hmm?"
"Could we wait until AFTER I'm married?" Kaoru giggled, Misao could be such a dreamer sometimes.
Misao chuckled as well, "Yes, I suppose it would be proper . . . " With that both women broke into a fit of laughter. Until neither woman could breath.
"Come . . .on . . .Kaoru you need . . .to get dressed . . ." Misao stated while gasping for breath.
"Yes you're right." Misao worked away trying to get Kaoru completely ready before Sano arrived. She was just adding the finishing touches when the two ladies heard a light knock at the door.
"Coming." Misao panted as she struggled to step over all the 'junk' in the floor.
"Is Ms. Kaoru ready?"
"I am." Kaoru stated as she came up behind Misao. She then looked up at the tall brown haired man before her.
"Hello Missy, I'm Sanoske Sagara, but you can call me Sano." The man extended his hand with an easy-going smile. And Kaoru graciously accepted his introduction.
"Pleased to meet you Sano."
"Well, go on and take her. Kaoru, I'll see you at the church and I'll make sure all your stuff get loaded onto Mr. Himura's Buggy."
Kaoru nodded assuredly at her friend before looping her arm through Sano's. They walked out of the inn and down the road until they came to a building with a tiny white steeple. Kaoru stalled for a moment. In order to catch her breath, but Sano didn't seem to mind. He just waited patiently.
"Ready Missy?"
She nodded, "I'm ready."
They walked up the steps and entered through the double doors. Kaoru looked around the tiny building taking in the neat pews and the wooden pulpit when she saw Kenshin standing at the front.
Kenshin just stared at her. She looked so lovely in her blue cotton dress. Her hair was partially up and she wore a silver necklace. He was in a state of pure awe by the time Sano had brought her up to him.
"Here ya go Kenshin. An if'n ya don't mind me sayin, she's a beauty." Sano winked at Kenshin before handing Kaoru over.
Kaoru blushed and Kenshin grinned as he took her arm and looped it through his. He looked down into her eyes. "You ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be." He smiled. He understood the feeling.
The two just stood up at the front waiting for the pastor to arrive. Kaoru glanced at the different people in the pews. Most she had never seen before. Except for Misao and Sayo who both sat contentedly beside their husbands. The pastor walked out form the back door and greeted a few of the witnesses before getting behind the pulpit.
'What kind of church is this?' Kaoru thought right before the old man began.
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Kaoru sat silently as she and Kenshin rode down an old dusty road. She was married now. Though she didn't feel any different. She looked down at her left hand at the slender gold band that now encircled her ring finger. She really was married . . .to whom, she didn't know yet. As they continued to ride in silence Kaoru looked around at the passing trees. 'Not much of a prairie.' She thought mournfully. She was trying to keep a straight face when Kenshin all of a sudden. Stood up in to drivers seat and reached down for her hand. She took it and his hand went down to her elbow to sturdy her. She cast questioning eyes at her husband before she realized that the trees surrounding their buggy had disappeared and flat plains stretched out never-ending in front of her.
She gasped as she took in the beauty of her surroundings. She was dumbstruck as she looked at the tiny house situated between two hills with a barn to its left and a well to its right. She looked all around her new surroundings then back at her husband.
"Welcome home . . .Mrs. Himura."
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Taa daaa! Well what do ya think? I like it! It took forever to write but I got so many reviews my fingers practically flew over the keys. Well, I've got some great ideas planned for the upcoming chapters so stay tuned! Now on to my reviewers!
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Noner_89- Yea for K/K action! I definitely had fun writing it! Hope you liked it!
Moonsilver- Ahh yes, Sayo . . .well don't fret I only know two thimblefuls of info on Sayo so I'm kinda making her up as I go . . .LOL! As for Aoshi's chatterbox . . .heh heh good times!
Me, Myself, and I- Well, what do ya think? Hope you liked it as for Sayo it doesn't matter whether you know her character or not . . .I kinda messed it up anyway . . .lol!
Koishii Sweet- K/K action woo hoo! How was it? Hope you liked it! Well, they're married oh the fun times I have in store!
Jaina- Well, I kept writing and writing and editing this chapter . . .I hope it turned out all right. Thanks for reviewing!
Animegurl444- I'm so glad it amuses you (not in a make fun way) LOL! Hope you liked this chappie as well!
Tintin-chan- Well I'll write more about the other girl's situations in the next chapter this chapter was more dedicated to K/K. Hope you liked it!
Allin656- Length . . .well I haven't come up with an estimate yet . . .but if I do I'll let you know . . .LOL! I'm so glad you enjoy it!
Chocoberry- Yes I like updating fast too! He he especially when I get inspiration from me reviewers! Thanks for Reviewing hope you liked this chapter!
Bob-san- I'm so glad you like the way things are a progressin' stay with me now . . .!! LOL!
Rohia_Gurei- You see I didn't mess K/K up! Yay for me! Yes the hardest part for me is ending a chapter! Thanks for the review!
Lily of the Shadow- The spell worked I'm cured! YAYAYAYAY! (does a dance) Thanks for the review and the spell! Hope you liked this chapter!
Maya-chan- You see now wasn't that worth the wait . . .even though things are still kind of in a turmoil . . .Sano is still with Sayo . . .we don't know where Megumi is . . .and we haven't even seen Saito with his new wife . . . but at least Kenshin and Kaoru are happy well kinda . . .
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Thanks again to all of my reviewers! You guys are what made this chapter come out sooo fast! Even though it took me forever to write! This is the longest chapter so far! Yay for me! Anyway I hope you all enjoyed it and stay tuned for the next drama filled chapter of . . . (intro music) Mail Order Kenshin! (Applause) Ok sorry guys I'm in a rally weird mood tonight . . .you'll have to forgive me. Sooooo REVIEW!
~Kairi7~