A/N: *points at Chapter 5* she ain't getting married to the OC! Happy now?
(I own nothing that vaguely resembles anything from any form of media)
Chapter 6
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~'
~~In brief flashback-like quality:
Yamamoto stutters, "M-marry? I don't want to marry Kamiya-san!"
Kaoru explains, "Yesterday Yamamoto-san spoke with me about the upcoming martial arts ceremony."
He offers the reason, "I thought the Kamiya Kasshin Ru would be a perfect addition to the lineup of entertainment."
"He proposed," she emphasized. "that Kamiya dojo put on a demonstration at the tournament. He is going to sponsor us."
~~a terrified Sano and several death threats later~~~
"This humble one wonders when the tournament is taking place, that I do."
The business man answers, "It is next month, the 14th of May. During the spring festival."
"The Martial Arts Tournament for Hanami, Sessha has seen the flyers, that I have."
"One and the same," Yamamoto explains, "there is a small charge for participants. Which as stated, I will provide for Kamiya dojo. The collected money is put into a pot for the winner of the finals."
Kaoru states, "ten dojos have entered so far. The prize money is nearly at 10,000 yen."
~~~~~Akebeko
The teacher's determination, "I believe Kamiya Kasshin can get to the finals. We are going to do our best to win. Right Yahiko?"
"RIGHT!" the student's enthusiastic answer.
The hostile tension fading, the Kenshin-gumi's fell into familiar banter filled with plotting strategy, discussing the opposing dojos and laughter. 'The Ultimate Fool-Proof Plan to Win' was conceived and the rules were non-negotiable:
1- Sanosuke- forbidden from betting for or against anyone participating ("That's tempting fate! You always lose...except when you win!")
2- Sanosuke- No threatening or brawling with any contestants. ("Why do I have two rules?" Meg: "Because I said so." "*grumble*Kitsune-onna*grumble*")
3- Kenshin- 'Battosai-evil-eye' not allowed ("Oro?" "Don't act as if you have no idea what I mean Kenshin!" "...Hai, gomen, Kaoru-dono.")
4-Misao- NO ninja sneak attacks ( "Ah man..." "I'll trust Aoshi-san to keep you in line." A: -_- "Very well." M: T~T)
Two hours of discussion passed before Yamamoto-san excused himself when Tae closed shop. (She handed Kenshin a small key, "Stay as long as you like, just be sure to lock the door please.")
An hour later, Dr. Gensai bid a good night and promised to bring the girls to visit soon.
At midnight, Aoshi departed carrying a snoozing Misao to a nearby Oniwabanshu safe-house ("If I told you where it is, I'd have to kill you," He stated easily.)
Soon after, Megumi proclaimed that she was heading home. Sano stood and muttered, "I'll walk with you." ("Is the rooster-head is afraid of the dark?" "What? NO!" "Ohohoho^^~")
A single oil lamp lit the two remaining at the table. Yahiko was sprawled out on some cushions nearby, snoring his head off.
"Someone's going to have to carry the dead weight."
"I believe he can sleep here, that I do."
"I'm sure Tae-san wouldn't appreciate that puddle of drool."
Feel of shoulders shrugging, "she'll have him clean it up, that she will."
Humming, "the dojo is pretty far from here."
"He is going to mop the floor tomorrow anyway, de gorazu yo."
"True, but won't you feel guilty leaving him alone and defenseless?"
"A warrior must always be on guard, that he must."
"I forgot," she continued sarcastically, "you never sleep! Instead you rely on the ancient mystic powers granted by lower back pain."
"That's an odd cosmic energy source, that it is."
"Whenever I check on you, you're sitting against the wall. Hiten Mitsurugi's secret technique for vigilance: lower back pain," Kaoru nods, "I figured it out."
"Exactly, beause you never know when a sneak attack will occur, that you do not," Kenshin leans in to whisper conspiratorially, "lately this one has been ambushed by a most formidable warrior," he pretends a shiver, "they come creeping in the dark and lay blankets over helpless rurouni," he shakes a fist defiantly, "but one day I will face this adversary and free all wanderers from the fear of their cottony tyranny!"
Her laughter rings through the empty diner, "If I recall correctly a certain someone held onto that tyrannical cotton and called it 'Fluffy-kun.'"
He was thankful the dark hid the blush, "Sessha has no idea of what you speak of, that I do not."
Kaoru taps her chin thoughtfully, "What would Hiko-san say if he heard that you and Fluffy-kun are supporters of blanket wielding dictators?"
"Don't tell Shishou!"
Blue eyes shine with mischief, "are you surrendering to my diabolical reign?"
"Hai," Kenshin's head slumps forward in mock-dejection, "this one admits defeat, that I do."
Kaoru chuckles evilly, "then I accept your surrender and declare that you shall carry an 8-stone weight* on your back."
Groaning, Kenshin hoists the snoring teen up and trudges out of the restaurant. A snick of the lock and Kaoru joins him under the early morning sky. Hard packed dirt passes under foot, sandals thump on the wooden bridge, quiet echoes follow behind. Fireflies flicker here and there, the tiny lights dance through the tree-lined path that leads the couple (and cargo makes three) home. When the roof of the dojo is visible, Kenshin sighs in relief, 'Yahiko, you sure packed on the pounds.'
No longer starved for regular meals or a family, the boy had grown up well fed and well loved. Kaoru's pale form leads the way to the Kamiya Dojo gates, a wooden beam is lifted and a key turned. The hinges creak slightly as the gates open and close. Shoes are deposited in the entry way, a flame flickers to life, the tiny fire highlighting Kaoru's beautiful face.
"You must be tired Kenshin," she offers her arms, "I can take Yahiko from here."
"Sessha is fine," he shakes his head, "this would appreciate it if Kaoru-dono could open his door, that he would."
"All you have to do is ask," Kaoru smiles then lights the path to the teen's room where Kenshin thankfully deposits his drooling burden.
Returning to the hall, he notes that her door is slightly ajar and pads to the opening to bid goodnight. Pale flesh and midnight hair has him frozen as lamp light and shadows play across her sword-strengthened muscles, the tangible proof of her dedication to Kamiya Kasshin Ru.
The Man had stumbled into a Woman's life.
From the moment they meet, this warrior-woman was strong, soft, reckless, brave, aggressive, compassionate, Kaoru.
The Warrior fought to stay by Her side.
Under the sun, at the end of his strength, Kenshin's heart aching with the desperation and the joy.
The Manslayer mourned Her death.
Once he lived with the memory of Tomoe's gentle smile and died with Kaoru's hollow eyes.
The Rurouni rejoiced in Her life.
On the sand, she is standing before him, her warm smile, her voice calling him. He fell into her arms and he wanted.
Kenshin Himura wanted Kaoru to find love with him…he wanted to be her happiness.
Yesterday, he was faced with the threat of having Kaoru beyond his reach.
She was to be wed to another man.
A threat that the hitokiri Battosai nor the rurouni Himura Kenshin could defeat with a blade (reversed or otherwise).
'More than anyone, Kaoru deserved a lifetime's worth of happiness.'
Though pain of losing her (again) was soul-piercing, Kenshin smiled because Kaoru was happy. Even if her happiness was for someone else. She was happy...and that's all that mattered to him.
"I wonder what's keeping Kenshin?" her murmured question shocked him out of his daze. She opens her door and calls, "Kenshin?"
A little further down the passage, a faint reply. Her feet carry her to his room's entrance, "I didn't mean to wake you," she blinks in surprise when he suddenly appears in the doorway.
"You didn't wake me, Miss Kaoru."
"Oh right, the lower back pain," she grins at the joke, "just try and get some sleep, ok?"
"This one will try, that I will."
Satisfied, Kaoru walks few paces back toward her own room then pauses. He watches her curiously.
"You know," she is draped with the moon and shadows, "If I ever do get married, my husband has to have red hair," her head turns slightly, "and purple eyes," her own midnight blue irises glimmer, "He has to say 'Oro' and 'de gozaru,'" A pretty blush dusted her moon-kissed cheeks, "he should be kind, gentle and have a heart of gold. He can cook the meals because I can't. He would accept all of my adopted family even the crazy ones," ducking her head forward, she whispers, "If you know that kind of man, tell him that Kamiya Kaoru will be waiting for his proposal."
Kaoru takes a single step away, moving forward until calloused fingers catch her left hand. Kenshin gently tugs her into his warm embrace, "Sessha has red hair and purple eyes, that he does," his heart soaring, "This one shall say 'Oro' and 'de gozaru' everyday, that he shall," a promise with vows to follow, "This one is honored to cook for Kaoru-dono and her family, that he is," His breath on her neck, his voice soft, "would Kaoru-dono marry a rurouni such a Sessha, de gozaru yo?"
"Oro," Kaoru smiles, "this shihondai would be honored to be the wife of the rurouni Kenshin, that she would."
~~~~~'
A/N: Yay! The Proposal, the one that you read this fanfic for! *confetti*
Thanks for reading and "Gracias" to reviewers/follows/favs/alerts:
Bismarck Alexander, kokoronagomu, hylianprincessZ, Vashie Lover, kawaii sakura-chan.
*8 stone: is approx. 112 lbs. (1 stone=14 lbs)
~~Glossary:
Hai: yes
gomen: sorry
Kitsune-onna: Fox Lady ^^~ (Sano's nickname for Megumi)
shihondai: assistant master