Well, hello guys! Here's the next chapter. I tried to add some things in there that might clear the story up a bit. (For instance Kenshin's little loving actions) You all should be pretty pleased after this chapter. Hopefully! Well enough talk. It's time to get on with the story!
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin ok?
Chapter 17: Love
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Sano walked down the street with a piece of hay in his mouth. He chewed on it unconsciously as he thought about his wife. 'Now where could she have gotten off to?' He glanced up and down the streets trying to catch a glimpse of his beloved Sayo. 'Beloved . . .hmph' He spat out the hay and his eyes hardened a bit. He'd tried everything he could think of the make her content. Things had been so wonderful at first.
He'd fallen in love with her from the start. She had been everything he had hope and dreamed for. All had gone wonderfully until she had met those ladies. 'Those ladies.' He thought as he stared up at the sky. She started spending more and more time with these unmarried or divorced women and things began to get weird around the house. She began asking for so many things, and he had bought every single thing to appease her. Yet she continued to get more demanding. Things had gone from bad to worse that fateful night. 'It was a month ago.' He thought disdainfully to himself.
* * * * *Flashback* * * * * * *"Sano do you think I could get some of those new draperies in town?" Sayo asked as they were eating dinner.
"Sure anything you want. What are they for?" He asked hopefully.
"The windows."
"Oh . . ." He looked down at his food.
"What's with the look? What else would the have been for?"
"Oh I dunno . . .maybe something to do with a baby. Just a thought."
Sayo snorted. "No they're not to do with any baby."
"I know that now." Sano said as he continued to eat.
"I don't even see how they would be."
Sano looked up at her upset. "I can."
"No I don't think you understand Sanoske." Sayo said exasperatedly.
"Yea I don't think I do either."
"They couldn't possibly be for that."
"Oh and why not." Sano asked his tone sharp.
"Because you moron I-"
* * * * End Flashback * * * * *His thoughts were halted as he spotted her sitting with a group of women around a table. 'Wonderful. It's those blasted women. What are they doing to my wife now?' He thought angrily as he walked up to the table.
"Sayo."
Sayo jumped as she heard her name and turned around in her chair. "Sano!" He face was surprised for a moment then went back to its normal blank expression. "How did the contest go?"
'Wow she actually cares how I did?' "Uhh it went well. I won."
"I knew you could." She said sweetly as she stood. "Oh Sano you've met the girls before haven't you?"
"Yes . . .sadly" he added under his breath.
"Well, ladies I best be going. It was lovely doing lunch with you all we'll have to do it again soon."
Sano watched disdainfully as his wife went around and hugged each woman before returning to his side to leave.
They walked down the street slowly. "Is that where you went last night?" He asked seemingly uninterested.
"Yes I was trying to find them so we could make plans to have lunch. I do hope you weren't too concerned."
"I was." His blunt answer caught her off guard for a moment and left her speechless.
"I'm sorry." She said softly.
"It's alright . . . just don't do it again. I don't want you to get hurt. I love you too much."
"Alright Sano. I'll let you know before I do something like that again."
He smiled. 'That wasn't too hard at all. See Sagara just gotta put your foot down. Right?"
'Just keep him happy right now.' Those last words spoken by Holly a good friend of hers rang in her ears.
'Yes, I'll keep him happy for now.'
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *The rest of the weekend passed slowly and soon Kaoru and Kenshin found themselves happily back home. Kaoru sighed happily to herself as she hopped to the ground.
"Ahh, it's so nice to be home!" She exclaimed.
Kenshin smiled upon her use of the word 'home'. "That it is Kaoru. I'll go put away the horses."
"I'll go get dinner ready." Kaoru walked up the steps and went inside. She grabbed some potatoes and began to peel them. He hummed merrily to herself as she worked. 'It'll be so nice to be back on schedule.' The holiday had been nice. But with all the stress of keeping up with Misao and Sayo's constant complaining had tired her out immensely. 'I think I could live here and never leave and have no friends and be happy.' She thought to herself until Megumi kind smile flashed through her mind. 'Megumi . . .'
"Kaoru?"
She turned and looked at Kenshin. "Come here I want to show you something."
"But the potatoes-" she protested as he grabbed her arm and led her outside.
"The potatoes will be fine. Hurry." Summer was standing outside all saddled up and ready to ride.
"Kenshin?" Kaoru question as he boosted her up before mounting as well.
"Hold on tight. Summer's going to be going pretty fast."
She slid his arms around his midsection and laid her cheek on his back as they took off. She watched as the scenery rolled by as they were apparently climbing uphill.
All of a sudden they stopped. "Get down hurry." He said as he lifted her from Summer's back and set her feet on the ground.
"Kenshin what-"
"Close your eyes."
"What?"
"Kaoru, Honey close your eyes." Kaoru obeyed reluctantly and felt Kenshin guide her. She stumbled and he finally scooped her up and carried her. (Bridal style) Then he stopped and set her feet on the ground.
"No peeking."
"I'm not peeking Kenshin but what on earth-" She giggled clearly confused by her husband's actions. His hands slipped over her eyes.
"I said I wasn't peeking."
"I know, just wait a minute." They stood in silence for a while. Kaoru grew fidgety as she felt her husband's presence behind her and the slight pressure over her eyes.
"Ok. Open you eyes now." He said softly as he removed his hands. Kaoru breath caught in her throat as she found herself on a summit of a small peak staring out over endless fields.
"Everything you see from here is all I had to offer you when you first came. I never dreamed of being able to offer more." He said softly into her ear. The warmth of his breath made Kaoru skin tingle.
He turned her around to face him. She stared up into his eyes now filled with passion and warmth. "But now I have more to offer . . .I never dreamed I would be saying this to anyone . . .I have my heart to offer you Kaoru. I never dreamed I would feel this way about anyone . . .but . . .I love you."
Kaoru stopped breathing. 'He loves me . . .he loves me . . .what so I say . . .what do I do . . .how can I . . .' She felt him pull her into his embrace he held her gently against his chest and stroked her hair.
She had to say something but what . . . he said not to lie but how could she just stand there and be loved and not love? Was it possible?
"Don't say anything Love." He said quietly knowing the turmoil her mind was gong through. "I asked you at the beginning never to lie to me . . .don't start now."
She was going to cry. She felt the tears welling up in her eyes. She never thought anyone would love her. Now the only one she had was saying these things and she had nothing to say back.
"How-how do- do- you know?" She sniffled out as she buried her face into his shirt.
He smiled. "Because every time I look at you I want to hold you in my arms and stroke your hair and kiss your brow. I want to make your life a heaven on earth. I want you to always smile to always laugh. I want you to feel loved because you are."
"Whe-when did it happen?" She asked softly.
"I think it happened a long time ago. I just didn't realize it until now. Watching you as you worked at the fair and how you rejoiced with Misao over every little detail of her pregnancy . . .just made me realize how much I had missed out on. We only have one life to live here on earth Kaoru and then all of eternity to live with the choices we make. I see Sano loving Sayo so completely and being do happy at times. I wanted that . . .I just didn't realize it. But now I do Kaoru. I know I love you and nothing you say and do will change it. You don't have to love me back. I don't expect you to I never have and I never will. All I ask now is to let me love you and do everything I can to make you happy. Kaoru Himura, will you let me love you?"
"O-of course . . .I have no say anyway." He tilted her chin up.
"Yes you do. Don't ever say that again. You opinion always matters."
She nodded. "Kenshin . . .?"
"Yes, Love?"
"Do you want a family?"
He looked at her sweetly. "I do. Do you want one Love?"
She smiled tremulously and nodded.
"Ok then, well let's just get down this mountain and work with those potatoes first."
Kaoru giggled. " I had forgotten about dinner."
"Well I haven't I'm starved. How about I cook tonight?"
"No Kenshin that's my job."
"It's not your job."
"Is too."
"Fine, then how about we both cook dinner? Deal?"
"Deal." He kissed her gently before lifting her up onto Summer. She slid her arms around his waist after he had mounted and placed her head on his back again as they began to descend. She smiled as she thought to herself over and over again, 'He loves me . . .he truly and deeply loves me . . .'
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Well that's all for the chappie! Hope it was good! Now to thank those lovely reviewers of mine!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**My Reviewers ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kakashi-fan- Sorry to say he is in love with her . . .kinda . . .it's more of a feeling of adoration I like to think it as. No Meg and Sano haven't met yet. There's still so much that has to happen before that. And I dunno about the age difference actually I don't think there is one . . .I may have to go back to my previous chapters and check it out though. (That's a smart author for you isn't it? Doesn't know things about their own story!) Hope you liked this chapter!
Sequel x Kira Yamato- Lol! You guys are hilarious and OF COURSE Sano and Megumi will be together . . .I wouldn't have it any other way! I mean man I'm writing another story about them being together. You should check it out sometime! Anyway hope you guys liked this chappie!
The Evil Witch- Well, there it is! The gambling part was fun to write! Lol! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Moonsilver- And the plot between Sano and Sayo thickens . . .muahahahah . . .ha. I wonder what you think is going on now??? Lol hope you liked this chapter!
Ginny-cry- Well, guess what. I went online and looked it up and it looks like and awesome anime and not too hard to collect . . .there are only four parts? Nice! I'm definitely gonna check it out! Thanks for the tip! Glad you're liking the story! Hope this chapter was good!
Me, Myself, and I- Hahahaha a soybean field hahaha that would be great! Heh I tried to give you some more info on what was up with Sano and Sayo so let me know what you think now! Yea as for Kenshin I tried to make him very sweet in this chapter! Aoshi betting was a funny picture I had in my mind . . .so I added it . . .it was funny! And I absolutely loved making Misao and Kaoru use the money on themselves. It was great! Hope you liked this chapter!
Chocoberry- Oh when I said 'up to standard' I was just saying the standard my story has set all around . . .does that make sense? If it doesn't don't worry. I was really just asking if it was good or not . . .lol! Yea and I tried to let peeps know in advance that Sayo was WAAAAY OOC. But hey I don't really like her much anyway. She tried to steal Sano from Megumi! Lol! I'm glad I can update too! I love hearing my reviewers' responses!
Lily of the Shadow- Yea you're gifts are doing wonders over here! Hope you liked this chapter!
Darky- Yea Koishii Sweet is cool! And it's an honor to have anyone like my story including you! I mean all it is are some random ramblings from a disturbed person like myself. Lol! I love having Koishii Sweet review though. She's an awesome writer and I love reading her stories!
Koishii Sweet- I know Sano's pathetic . . . my poor baby. What did you think of the fluff? Well, it was kinda fluffy . . .not very though.
Kenshinobsession- Well that answers you question about Sayo. Sort of . . .lol! Okie doke hope you did well on your Spanish exam!
Lanse- Awww you're so sweet! I love being able to bring a smile to people's faces! Hope this chapter was good too!
Hioga-chan- Yea the gambling scene was great fun to write especially how the girls got back them lol! *coughandimignoringthatspontaneousactioncough* Yes, evil Sayo! Hop you liked this chappie!
Allin656- Yea Sano and Megumi are just inches away . . .kinda humorous! Glad you like her character. I have an interesting time keeping up with her myself!
Half_Breed_Fox- Yea girl Power! Hope you liked this chapter!
Tintin-chan- Hope you liked the 'fluff' in this chapter! Hehehe the evilness will come out soon!
Gypsy-chan- Yea I made Sayo a snob and you pick up things quick! Well, now you know why he's cuddly and well, they have been married for 6 months so some of it has to be there.
Mishorou Mie- I'm so glad! Hope this chapter was satisfactory!
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Thanks again to everyone who is reading my fic! Okay I'll explain myself. Kaoru's feelings toward Kenshin have NOT developed yet as you can see. Sorry if you don't like it . . .but that's one of the whole main plots ok? And I know you are all like 'but in the series she loves him' . . .well that is why this if fanfiction. And about Sano and Sayo. As you can see she's NOT cheating on him . . .but bad company corrupts good morals right? I tried to give you a little tidbit of info in the flashback . . .but for now you all will have to come to your own conclusions what she was going to say. So that's all for now. I have to go write the next chapter of The Female Doctor: First Position check it out sometime! Please remember to Review!
~Kairi7~