Hey all, hope everything is going great. Happy Thanksgiving! We're almost done, one more chapter that may be put up on Friday when I have time. Hope everyone is liking it! Remember, please read and review and let me know what you guys think!

-Mia21


Kaoru was relieved the weather was perfect the day of the party, knowing that meant more people would come this way. She helped fashion bouquets of exotic flowers in a hundred vases and loop ivy around the stair railing. Torches were placed, still unlit, in every free holder inside, and some outside too. Fountains abbey was in its glory.

As early dusk approached, the torches and candelabras were lit, just as Kaoru went upstairs to change. Naomi helped her into a new green kimono with a white and red obi, and styled her hair. The first guests alighted and it was finally time to go downstairs. Enishi stood beside the massive entry doors, very tall and very elegant in his evening clothes. Again and again he found just the right thing to say as he greeted guests. It came easily to him when he chose.

Shifting masses of people surged from room to room. The furniture had been removed from the banquet hall to make room. When the first strains of music sounded, people poured into the hall. Enishi claimed Kaoru, kissing her hand. He said, "How beautiful you are." After that he said nothing as they danced. She had expected him to monopolize her for most the evening, but instead he escorted her back to the edge of the dance floor. He bowed and led lady after lady out for other dances. He leaned into them, smiling, in that flattering way that assured them they were beautiful and charming. Kaoru danced a good many other dances herself, but Enishi's gaze was often fastened upon her. When she sailed about the floor with older men his expression was benign, but when she danced with the younger men, he glowered. Evidently sauce for the goose was not sauce for the gander – he could flirt as he wished, but he frowned when it was turnabout. She tried to smile at him gratefully when she caught his eye. He must be kept on an even keel.

She retired in the corner to catch her breath, and was having a wonderful time just watching then she saw Kenshin. Her engagement ring cut into her flesh as she clenched her hands together. At some point he had slipped in and was now speaking to an elderly lady in silver. Seeing his dear face was like a physical blow. Of course she hadn't forgotten it. He was here – but it was too late.

The music hushed as Enishi stepped onto the musician's platform.

"Honored guests, I have an announcement to make," He said loudly, above the other voices. "Where is my Kaoru?" His eyes swept the crowd. 'Up there,' she thought. 'I must go.' She left her hiding place in a daze and made her way toward him. He held out his hand and she placed her chilled fingers in his.

"Ladies and gentleman, let me introduce you to my fiancée and the future mistress of Fountains Abbey, Miss Kaoru Kamiya."

He continued with praise that she didn't hear. All she knew was Kenshin.

His eyes were riveted on hers, and there was a shocked question in them. A pang of…something…stabbed her heart as, ever so faintly, she nodded. He stood stiff in rigid anguish.

Amid the handshakes and congratulations and introductions that then beset her, Kaoru saw Kenshin back away, then leave the hall. He headed toward the conservatory. When she could, she excused herself.

When Kaoru arrived at the conservatory, she found Kenshin slumped on the edge of the fountain, staring down into the water. He raised his head when she entered, but barely glanced her way before looking down again.

"I this a terrible dream?" he asked.

"I wish we'd both wake up if it is." She swallowed. "I'm afraid it's real life though."

"When I received the invitation, I was so happy to know I would see you again at last. I thought maybe, just maybe, we'd have a chance to talk about our future."

Kaoru dropped down to the ledge beside him. "I had no choice in the end."

"A person always has a choice."

"I used to think so too. But sometimes, given who we are and our circumstances, that just isn't true. Instead, you had no choice but to stop meeting me and I had no choice but to find something of a future."

"It never occurred to me you couldn't wait a few months." He rubbed his forehead as if it ached. "Did I mention I was a fool?"

She sighed. "I would have waited for you forever if I could have, but…it's complicated." Kaoru did not feel up to explaining how Enishi had reminded her that she had nowhere else to go when asking for her hand.

Kenshin shook his head and rose but halted at the outer conservatory door. Without turning back, he said, "I want you to remember, in spite of everything, if you should ever need help, you do have a friend nearby."

As he was leaving, Kaoru thought, 'We never had a chance, it was always hopeless. Even if we'd continued to meet secretly, eventually we would have had to leave the forest, and Enishi would have been there, waiting.'


Now it's poor Kenshin! :( Don't forget to review!

-Mia21