Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin

The festival (part 1)

They were walking to back to the dojo, each one deep in thought.

I want to tell him. He never talks about himself, and now that he does, I cannot tell him how I feel, or just another kind of words of comfort. Kaoru thought bitterly I just hope that I have not lost my opportunity to tell him

He told you that you would talk again tonight. Today you will talk to him said another voice in her mind

But what if he told me all this just because he wants me to know him better? That does not mean that he likes me, he never said that he loved me, aside a sisterly love

That is not something that is up to you to determine. He said tonight, stop been so pessimistic and just wait. Stop the what if's

I am anxious, that is all

Meanwhile, in Kenshin's mind. Battousai held a wide smirk on his lips

See, I told you that I would not be that bad, rurouni

Did you see her face when she asked us about Tomoe?

Yeah, I know. That has something to do with what that kitsune-ona said to her after they all knew about Tomoe.

She thinks that she is unworthy of our feelings. If someone is unworthy, that is us

That is not it rurouni. She thinks that Tomoe was perfect, a perfect wife, women and so on and so forth. That kitsune-ona told her that how in this world could we love a sweaty tanuki, after we had a swan?

That is stupid. I would not change our Kaoru for anything in this world, and but the way, Tomoe was far from perfect

I agree, but you see, we are perfect for each other. She goes well with my spirit and she goes well with you insecurity

They were soo deep in thought that they did not notice that they were in front of the dojo door. She looks to the side and saw Aoshi walking to them

"Good morning Aoshi-san" said Kaoru

"Himura, Kamiya-san" acknowledge Aoshi

"Aoshi-san, just Kaoru, please"

"You were up early this morning Aoshi, that you were. Did you sleep well?" asked Kenshin

Aoshi took a look at Kenshin's face and saw that Kenshin's eyes were mostly violet, but they held quite a lot of amber to them

"Aa"

"Kenshin, busu, where is breakfast?" asked Yahiko from the not so distant dojo

"Yeah, where is Kenshin, and most importantly, where is breakfast?" asked Sano, now standing next to Yahiko looking for a sight of the rurouni or the kendo teacher

"Has anyone seen Aoshi-sama?" asked Misao near by the door

Kenshin let go of a sight "Well so much for a day off" when Kaoru was about to say something, he said "Kaoru…dono go in, I will make breakfast, so you can eat early and then begin to get ready for the festival"

"Thank you Sh… Kenshin I will" said Kaoru, blushing

Aoshi stood there just looking at Kenshin and Kaoru. Kenshin had a wide smile at his face. When Kaoru went through the door, Kenshin turned around

"Aoshi, would you mind to come with me?"

They could hear Yahiko and Sano's words of where were you, where is Kenshin, where is breakfast and Misao's question of where is Aoshi-sama. Kenshin sweat drop at hearing all this commotion inside

"Aa"

Kenshin went around the house so as to avoid been seen, in his way to the kitchen

"Aoshi are you taking Misao-dono to the festival tonight with YOU?" asked Kenshin casually while they reach the kitchen door

Aoshi stop walking "Ie Himura. I don't even think that I will go to the festival. I heard that the wolf and his wife were coming here to go with you guys, and I have no intention of seeing the wolf today again" said Aoshi with an unpleasant face

"Aoshi, I am going to ask you to forgive me for saying this, but do you realize that you are hurting Misao-dono by not letting her know your feelings, by blocking her from your heart?" he turned to look at Aoshi's stunned face. "Do you realize that she is not going to wait for you forever?"

The former Okashira felt anger raising, just like the night before. He had lost control of his action and punched the wolf hard on the face, and he felt compiled to do so with Himura

"That is none of your business Himura"

"Wrong Aoshi, because I do care a lot for Misao-dono"

Kenshin saw how Aoshi's eyes went dark. Aoshi felt how his self-control began to disappear. He was barely suppressing the raising feeling to punch Himura hard on the face, but then he saw that Kenshin's eyes were a dangerous gold

"Watch It Shinomori" warned Kenshin in a low voice "I am trying to help both of you. You realize that she is the Okashira of the Oniwabanshu? That she will be force to marry someone very soon? That everyone expects you to marry her, to protect her and her heart? Could you stand watching her go with another men?" The mere thought of seeing Misao with another man made his anger raise one again

"She deserves better than me Battousai"

"Indeed she does, as does Kaoru. But I am tired of not thinking a little bit about how I feel. I think that if we deserve them or not, it should be their decisions to make. I know Misao loves you with all her heart, and if she wishes to spend her life with you, as you also want, then why don't let her?"

"I am too stain for her, too old. What do you want me to do Himura?"

"I have heard that one before. Aoshi that is not something that I can tell you, that is something that you must figure it out."

"Oi Kenshin, are you trying to kill me? I am starving I AM HUNGRY!!" shouted Sano not far

Kenshin directed his gaze one last time to Aoshi, and then turned around to the kitchen and began making some miso soup. Kenshin began wondering where was his master… he had kinda of ask him to make breakfast. Oh well he will pay for that later

It was well mid day now. Lunch was quiet, unusually so. Everyone was so excited that they could not wait until tonight. Kenshin was just outside the dojo's door. Everyone was inside getting ready. Tae, Tsubame and Megumi had arrived at the dojo not long ago to get ready. They were with Misao, Okon, Omasu and Kaoru. The mere thought of her sent shivers down his spine.

Kenshin knew that from now on, everything would be different. In his wildest dreams, by tomorrow he would be with Kaoru, but the worst that could happen is that Kaoru broke his heart, but he somehow felt confident that it would not happen.

Rurouni, I wanna practice, I can't stand the waiting, I am not very patient, you know that

I cannot deny that it sounds tempting, but we have to get back in an hour so we can get ready for our Kaoru

Fine with me but lets go

He went over Kaoru's shoji and spoke

"Kaoru-dono, I will go out for a while, but I will be back shortly. Is that all right with you?"

"Is all right Himura, but go and be back on time so we can go to the festival early" said Misao

"Yeah Kenshin, be back soon. Take care." Said Kaoru

"Hai, I will" said Kenshin while he turned around and went to the door

Inside the room, Kaoru let out a sight and could only hope that tonight things would change. Misao was saying something, but she did not hear her. She could only think about tonight and in Kenshin.

He went to a clearing in the middle of the woods, not far from the dojo. He did not have a lot of time, but it had been a while since they practice as one, maybe even before Katsura pick him up as his Hitokiri.

He decided that he would meditate for around five minutes and then he would begin practice. He began breathing deeply, feeling his environment. Soon the only thing that he could think was the water of the river, not far from there, the leaves in the forest floor, his muscles and the rest of his body

He got up and went to the middle of the clearing. He positions himself in his famous battle stance, the battou-jutsu stance. He imagines himself in the middle of a battle, so he performed his movement with no mistake. He finished the move, he turned around and jumps to the sky to land a Ryu-tsui-sen to the floor, he turned around quickly to perform a perfect Ryu-sho-sen. His shoulder began to ach. He remembers that wound very well. It was from when he fought Enishi the first time.

Don't think about it rurouni, enjoy the moves

He decided that because of time, he would leave the complicated techniques, and he would do the kata's from the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. He went one by one of the techniques in a perfect performance. He knew every move as his own body, and performed as natural as walking could be accomplished.

Soon sweat began poring from his face and formed a thin sheet over his skin. After a few more moves, he decided that it was time to go to the dojo to get a bath. He began walking to the dojo

That was not bad rurouni, but we are out of shape

Yeah, I just don't feel like worrying for this right now, but you are right, we are out of shape

No matter what, we have to get in shape again rurouni. Not for fighting, but I feel awful when I get so soon out of breath… what are you laughing at rurouni?

At you, of course.

Before Battousai could say one more word, they reach the dojo. He went towards his room, and knocked on the shoji because he knew that Misao and Aoshi were staying there.

"Misao-dono, sorry to interrupt, but I need to come in and get my clothes" said Kenshin

"Himura you may come in, just a second" said Aoshi's voice from inside

"Himura don't dare to open the door" said Misao's voice from Kaoru's room, next to his

"Yeah Ken-san I did not know that you were the impatient type" said Megumi's voice

"I am not coming in to that room, that I am not" not even for a thousand years and all the gold in the world… with the kitsune-one, the weasel, Omasu and Okon… no!!!... that kitsune-ona is gonna pay some day thought Battousai bitterly "I am just waiting to get inside my room"

An "oh" sound came from near the thin shoji paper door

"Himura you may come in now" said Aoshi when he opens the door. He was dress on a western style of cloth. He had black pants with a kinda of dark grey button shirt and a black coat. His shoes were shiny

"I thought you said you were not going" said Kenshin

"I came here for the festival, so I am going Himura, now get ready. There is not a lot of time" said Aoshi walking towards the sakura tree that he liked, near the porch but hidden from view.

What in the world?

He does look somehow different

I hate to say it but I do agree that he is a stubborn piece of ice

Yeah, I wish that he would realize that there is one person that could melt it

Yeah, the weasel girl. She is a good girl

He went to the bathhouse, and without heating the water, he got a bath. Then he went back to his room

Everything is too quiet; I wonder where everyone is

I imagine that everyone is getting ready and remember rurouni, part of the noises that come from the dojo are made by our Kaoru. We know that she is getting ready with the kitsune-ona and the weasel. Yahiko must be out looking for Tsubame, after she left to get ready, and Sano, I don't seriously know

He went to take the package that was on the corner of the room. He had purchase this clothes with the extra money that he had from when he helped with Shishio. Yeah, he still had some left. He opens it to reveal a nice dark brown hakama, and silk brown undergarment and a nice beige haori. He put each peace with carefulness. He then knelt and took the necklace that was over the package. It was a silver necklace with a sakura blossom tree as a pendant. Around the tree, there was a dragon with red eyes. He then brushes his hair briefly, and then tied it in its normal low pony tail. He put his matching socks and new sandals, but before he was completely ready…

"Himura, are you ready?" came Misao's voice

"Hai Misao-dono I am coming"

He finish putting the sandal on and took his sakaba in his left hand. Then he made sure that everything was in place, his eyes of a mix of violet and amber, and finally, he opens the door. He went out of his room and looked around. Sano was at Megumi's side, with his usual costume, but with his jacket closed and a white undershirt. Megumi was wearing a dark purple kimono with a mix of yellow and silver decoration, and a bright yellow obi. He then turned around and saw his master, with his usual cloth, and Omasu and Okon at each side of him. Omasu was wearing a blue kimono, with brown and green decoration, with a dark green obi. Okon, in the other hand was wearing a green kimono with an orange obi.

He looks around again and founds Misao dress in a really beautiful kimono. It was of a light grey color, decorated with orange, yellow and blue with an impressive blue obi. Her eyes shone in the darkness. But what he saw next made his sword slip to the floor.

Kaoru was standing near him. She was wearing a brown kimono, decorated with green leaves, red sakura petals, orange tones of sunset and a beautiful yellow obi. She just looks stunning. Her eyes were like pools water that shone in the forest that she made. Her hair was high on a classic bun.

"Battousai, if I did not see it, I would not believe it. You dropped you sword at the sight of the tanuki" said Saito's mocking voice from the door

"Hajime, that is not nice. Kaoru-chan does look breathtaking. Himura-san was just breathless from the sight" said Tokio taking a hold of his husband hand and squeezing it. She was wearing a beautiful red kimono, decorated all with yellow and shades of brown with an amber obi

"Shut it wolf" said a voice behind him. Aoshi came around the tree "Today, I will not stand any insults."

"Yeah watch your mouth wolf," said Sanosuke

"You won't anger my night this time PUPPY" said a yellow anger eyes rurouni "Careful Hajime, or you wont be able to make your beautiful wife happy for a long time. Remember what I told you yesterday, don't mess with someone you cant handle" Kenshin bent to pick his sword and shove it to his hip

Saito went to take his sword, but his wife stopped him. "Hajime, see what you get from been sarcastic? I have told you more than once that that mouth of yours could get you killed one of these days" said Tokio looking bitterly at her husband

Kenshin went to Kaoru's side, and taking the opportunity that provide Tokio and Saito's argument, he whispered softly in Kaoru's ear

"God Kaoru, you look absolutely beautiful tonight. Breathtaking indeed"

"Thank you Shinta. You really do look good on that outfit of yours" said Kaoru on his ear.

The feeling of her close by and her breath on his ear almost made him ravish her then and there, but he controlled himself

"Baka deshi, where did you get that outfit? I thought that your stupid pink gi was part of your skin" said Hiko from a side

"Hiko, don't be so harsh. He looks good on it" said Okon

"I would say that he looks handsome" said Omasu "but not as good as you"

"Yeah Ken-san you do look good tonight" said Megumi. Sano frown

"Kenshin-san that color goes good with your hair" said Tsubame from his side

"But what about Jou-chan? She looks very nice today" said Sano. Megumi frown. Sano bent to a side and whisper to Megumi, so only she could understand what he was saying "but not as good as you do kitsune" Megumi could not help but smile

"Looking good, heh Kenshin?" said Yahiko "Busu, you look astounding"

"Thanks, Yahiko-CHAN" said Kaoru

Kenshin was too busy to notice the conversation and compliments. He was looking at Misao, who look like she was in shook when she saw Aoshi. He did look good on his outfit, but Misao found it breathtaking. Aoshi did not acknowledge Misao's staring at him. He carefully slip from the battle side between Kaoru, who was now very lady-like insulting Yahiko, and well, while he was just insulting Kaoru, as always.

He went to Misao's side, and spoke softly

"Misao-dono, are you all right?"

"Oh Himura, I am sorry" said Misao. She looked sad

"Misao, sometimes life is not easy, but you must bear it. Someday he will change from an ice cube to a fire, and just for you"

"I wish I could believe that Himura"

"He will, believe me" said Kenshin while he turned around when a couple of little hands cup his hakama "Ayame-chan, Suzume-chan, how are you doing these evening? I did not know that you were here" he turned around toward Misao once more and smiled, a true smile, just for her. Her eyes brightened for the support and the understanding shinning in his gaze

"Ken-nii!!" said Ayame-chan and Suzume-chan at the same time "Let's go!"

"Amazing. Battousai with a tanuki and a couple of annoying girls" said Saito

"Don't be jealous wolf. Someday, maybe someday, people will care about you as they care about me, but meanwhile, watch and learn" he said taking the girls on his arms. His shoulder ache, so he put them quickly on the floor. Megumi saw it.

"Ken-san, is everything all right?" asked Megumi full of concern

"Hai Megumi-dono is nothing. Don't worry" said Kenshin giving a reassuring smile

Ayame-chan and Suzume-chan began running until they ran into someone rather huge for them. They hit Hiko.

"What in this world did I do to deserve this? Two annoying girls, my baka deshi unable to hold his sword at his side when he sees Kaoru-san, and worse of all, with no sake?" said Hiko "I am leaving, see you guys at the festival, if you ever get there. Shall we?" he said turning to Omasu and Okon, offering each one a well built arm

"See ya guys" said Omasu and Okon while leaving

Ayame and Suzume looked sad and shocked. Aoshi, who heard everything, got close to them.

"Ladies, we should go to the festival now, would you do me the honor of coming with me?" said Aoshi knelling in the floor. To his surprise, each girl place a kiss in each cheek he had, and took his hand

"What's your name? I don't remember it" said Ayame blushing

"Is Aoshi-oji girls, remember?" said Misao from behind Aoshi. He had to admit that Misao looked tempting in that kimono. How much of a woman she has become. Maybe Himura is right after all

"Misao-dono!!!!" said the girls running around Aoshi to her

"I am sorry to interrupt such a beautiful scene, but if we want to get to the festival, and still have something to do, we must get out of here any time soon, lets go" said Saito

"Yeah the wolf is right. Shall we?" said Sano

"Kaoru, are you ready"

"Hai Shinta, are you?"

"Hai, lets have fun" while he said it, he putted an arm around Kaoru's shoulders. Kaoru blush with a deep shade of red

Ayame and Suzume took a hold of Aoshi's hand, and then Suzume also took a hold of Misao's, and them all began walking. Aoshi, as tall and silent as always, was entertaining the girls. Misao could not help but stare at him. She knew that he cared for her, but not just the way she wanted him to, or at least she thought so. She knew that very soon, she would be force to marry some guy, because of the Oniwabanshu laws, and her duty as Okashira. But even after knowing this, she had hope that one day Aoshi would love her.

Then, after what seemed forever, they went out of the door. Megumi was locked in Sano's arm, Misao in Suzume's hold of her hand, Saito and Tokio holding hands, and Kenshin holding Kaoru close to him.

Next part will be soon out. Please review and let me know what you think. Thanks to all of you who took the time to do it!!