10
Vows

Kenshin woke with the dawn to find Kaoru's body nestled against his. Her hair spread across his chest and arm. He lifted a lock of it between his thumb and forefinger and drew it across his mouth.

Last night, he had made her his woman for all time, and it had been unlike anything he imagined, unlike anything he had ever experienced before. She had been shy but bold, hesitant but curious, modest but passionate.

So she was his now, his woman, his to provide for, his to defend, his to love…

He opened his eyes to find her gazing at him through her lashes. Her cheeks blossomed with color as his eyes met hers.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked.

She nodded. Kenshin frowned at her silence. Did she…regret what they had done?

"Are you sorry?"

"No," she said quickly, firmly.

Kenshin stared at her another moment, studying the play of emotions on her face, then smiled as he realized that she was just feeling a little shy now.

"Would you like to bathe?"

She nodded, a very adorable shade of red now.

"I could use a bath too." He threw the covers aside and rolled nimbly to his feet. "Come," he said, offering her his hand. "We'll bathe together."

"Together?"

"You're my wife now," he reminded her, smiling with pride. "You don't have any need to be modest or ashamed with me. You're beautiful, my love. The most beautiful woman I have ever seen."

"Have you seen very many?" Kaoru asked, modesty pressed back by sudden peevishness.

He grinned at her jealousy. "No, not many."

"One other would be too many," she muttered as she reached for his hand. She shivered with pleasure as his long fingers closed over hers, shrieking when she was swiftly pulled to her feet, and then they were running toward the pool.

Kaoru shrieked as Kenshin lifted her into his arms and carried her into the water, squealed as the cold closed over her.

"Kenshin!" she yelped, and then in revenge she splashed him vigorously.

Seconds later, they were engaged in a brisk water fight that ended abruptly when Kenshin grabbed her from behind, his arms hugging her against his chest. "My love," he whispered, nuzzling her hair.

She made a wordless noise of happiness, turning in his arms, lifting her face for a kiss. He gave it to her, then lifted her once again, carrying her toward the shore. Near the water's edge, he laid her gently down, his body covering hers as he rained feather-soft kisses on her mouth and nose and eyes, down the slender column of her throat. All the while he murmured to her, telling her she was beautiful, that he loved her, would always love her. And he meant it, every word, with all his heart.

It was a long time later when they parted. They washed again, took a long swim, and then returned to their camp.

The day passed blissfully. They ate breakfast, went for a long walk, made love beneath the shade of a gnarled tree, wrestled like a pair of dragon pups, took a nap in each other's arms. And woke with a kiss, each hoping that all their days would be as wonderful.

Kaoru went to sleep each night with a heart full of love for the man at her side. He treated her like she was the most wonderful creature in the world. He never raised his voice, never grew impatient, never ridiculed her. She was constantly amazed at how much he knew, how easily he provided for their needs. He could tell her which animal had left which tracks, he knew where to hunt for wild vegetables and herbs, he taught her how to cure hide.

Every day was an adventure, and each night a new lesson in love. She never tired of his caresses. He had only to touch her and she came alive, her heart fluttering with joy, her skin tingling and warm, her lips eager to receive his. He explored her body from head to heel, awakening the passion that slept within her. Sometimes, at first, she was embarrassed by the way her body responded to his touch, but Kenshin assured her there was nothing to be ashamed of. They were married now, and there should be no secrets between them.

Gradually, Kaoru's curiosity overcame her shyness and she began to explore Kenshin in turn, marveling anew at the sheer beauty of the man, the perfection of his face and form. She never tired of looking at him, enthralled by his wonderfully handsome features, the symmetry of his physique.

As her modesty waned, she began to feel pride in the fact that Kenshin found her desirable, that he wanted her, that he found pleasure in the touch of her hands. It gave her a sense of power, that her kisses made him tremble with desire, and she began to grow more bold, openly flirting with him, exercising her feminine wiles, teasing him mercilessly until he took her in his arms and turned the tables on her.

They lived and loved through the warm summer days, giving no thought to the future as they lived from sun to sun, taking each moment as it came.

They explored the canyon, walking barefoot through the grass, pausing to watch the antics of a squirrel, or reclining on the grass to gaze at the sky. And, more often than not, they ended up loving each other beneath the bold blue sky, unable to keep their hands off each other, unable to be close without touching.

They swam in the pool every day. Kaoru drew back, shocked, the first time Kenshin took the soap from her hand and began to wash her. Bathing was a private thing. But he quickly shushed her protests and she thought she had never experienced anything quite so wonderful as having her husband bathe her.

When he gave back the soap, she returned the favor, and it was a wonderful feeling, to rub her soapy hands along his chest and shoulders, down his arms, across his scarred back. She wickedly enjoyed seeing his eyes grow smoky with passion, feel his body tremble against hers.

She had never known such joy, such total abandon, such blissful fulfillment.

They had been in the canyon for about six weeks when Kenshin told her they would have to leave.

"Leave? Why?"

"We're almost out of food, Love, and there's not enough grass to feed the horses through the winter."

Kaoru nodded. They had six horses now, the two they had taken from her uncle and the four that had belonged to the horrible men that had tried to kidnap her. Glancing around, she saw that the grass was already turning yellow. The trees, so green when they had first arrived, were now taking on the bright red-gold hues of autumn.

"Where will we go?"

"To the drake people," he said simply.

Kaoru felt apprehension stirring in her. The drake people…dragons and Wild People. All the stories she had ever been told of them came floating to mind.

But knowing Kenshin now, she could see those tales of dragons feasting on human flesh and savage humans pillaging the homes of decent, civilized people were entirely false.

Still…she was a New Person. Only a couple of generations ago, her ancestors had come across the sea in ships, seeking adventure, wealth, and a new kind of life. Sheltered as she had been, Kaoru couldn't deny that her people had a higher mind for greed, and were far more arrogant than Kenshin's. None of his people ever took on slaves. His people didn't slaughter hers for the medicines and poisons that could be made from their blood and flesh.

Her people had accomplishments to be proud of, but there was a lot to be ashamed of as well. Would his people hate her for it? She didn't know if she would be able to bear living in a village of angry stares.

She looked at Kenshin, and found him looking back.

"You'd rather go somewhere else?" he asked gently.

"Yes."

"Where?"

She didn't have an answer for that.

"We really don't have anywhere else to go, Beloved."

"I'm afraid, Kenshin."

"My people won't harm you."

'They won't like me, either."

Kenshin let out a long breath, becoming bogged in this worry. There was some truth to what his wife said. In the past, his people had accepted the Newcomers without much of a fuss. After all, drakes had lived with humans for a long time, and how different were the New People from their own humans?

But now, with more of them crowding the land, killing their dragons, breaking any and all accords that were forged between them, most New People were deeply hated.

But where else could they go? He couldn't live among the Enemy. He had escaped from the road gang, had killed a New Person, Kamishi. They would be looking for him. They were probably looking for Kaoru as well.

"It'll only be for the winter," he said. "In the spring, perhaps we'll return to this place."

Kenshin saw her nod in agreement, but he could also see that her heart was heavy. It would be difficult to live among people who may very well regard her as Enemy.

That was a feeling he knew well.

"How soon will we have to leave?"

He had intended to leave their canyon in the morning, but seeing the distress on Kaoru's face, and knowing how she loved their home here, he changed his mind. "We'll stay two more days."

Two days. It wasn't much, but he would help her make the best of them.

Kenshin held her close that night. Knowing that she was upset because they had to leave, he loved her sweetly, telling her with his kisses and each gentle touch that he loved her, that he would take care of her, that she didn't need the approval of others. He hoped that would be enough, hoped that her love for him was strong enough to see them through the coming months.

Kaoru felt a sense of loss as they rode out of the canyon when the two days had passed. She had been very, truly happy there.

The next few days were arduous and long. They spent hours on horseback, slept under the stars at night. Winter was in the air, the days were cool, the nights cold. Their food supplies were nearly gone save for jerky.

"I'll hunt tomorrow," Kenshin said as he held Kaoru closely that night to keep her warm. "I'm tired of dried meat."

She nodded drowsily, then she heard him laugh quietly. "My sister was a better hunter than I am. If she was here, she'd leave now and come back in an hour with any game we asked for."

Kaoru couldn't help but smile. A man was admitting that a female was a better hunter than he, that female being a dragon notwithstanding.

Kenshin watched Kaoru sleep. Kaoru, his woman-child. She was a rare creature, so much a woman in his arms, yet still so trusting and childlike in other ways. He wanted to love her, to protect her from harm, to let her see only good things in this life.

And yet, he knew better than anyone that that was impossible. There could be no love without hate, no goodness without evil, no joy without sorrow.

He wrapped a lock of her hair around his hand. He was taking her to his people, where acceptance may indeed be difficult to find… Maybe he was making a mistake, keeping her with him… But how could he let her go?

Among dragons, mental bonds were formed between mates, and though he had no such powers, he was connected as deeply as any drake could be to his life-mate. To lose her now…he would not be able to survive. He smiled up at the stars. He had just created a very great weakness in himself, but, what else was there to do? It was much too late now.

These many years, he had been fighting for right of his people to live, but had not been "living" himself. Now he was alive, more alive that he had ever known a person could be. He could never go back to the way it was before. It was either this life, this love with Kaoru, or death. There was no turning back, never.

He brushed a kiss across her cheek. She made a sleepy sound as she snuggled closer to him, her head nestling against his shoulder.

Kaoru hummed cheerfully as she cleaned up the breakfast dishes. Kenshin had gone hunting, leaving her to gather up the camp and pack their gear.

She looked at the vast grassland that surrounded her, wondering when Kenshin would return, and then felt her stomach clench. Riders. One minute the plains spread endlessly before her, nothing but empty land, and the next a dozen riders appeared out of a shallow draw.

Kaoru stared at them as they rode toward her. The were uniformed similarly. A law band! Her firsts clenched as they drew rein, boxing her neatly between them.

A tall, handsome young man examined her campsite with cool gray eyes, saw the horses grazing nearby, the bedrolls spread near the remains of the fire. He nodded as his gaze fastened on her.

"Good morning, Miss," he said.

Kaoru nodded, her heart slamming against her ribcage. She had to get these men out of here before Kenshin got back. But how?

The gray-eyed man pulled a sheet of paper from his jacket pocket, studied it for a moment before refolding it and putting it away. "Where is he, Kaoru-san? The Wild Boy who abducted you?"

So she had been looked for. There was no time to curse the fact that he had correctly guessed who she was. "He left early this morning to go hunting," she answered, mind racing. She forced a smile onto her face. "Could we go now before he gets back?"

The last thing she wanted was to desert Kenshin, but it would be far better than the chaos that would ensue if he returned with all of these men waiting.

"You don't need to worry," he assured her. "Everything will be all right now." He glanced at his men, who sat on their horses easily, looking to him for command.

"My men and I are going to take cover in that draw," he said. "We'll catch him when he shows up." He smiled. "Don't worry, Miss. We'll protect you."

"Thank you," Kaoru said, trying to sound appreciative. Her first ploy had failed. Now all she could do was try to warn Kenshin about the law band.

A hour passed, and she ran out of things to occupy her hands. What was there to do?

These men, they weren't bad men. Kenshin might kill them because they had come looking for him and for her, because they were Enemy, because they were going to try to take her away. He probably wouldn't give it much thought, and from his point of view, couldn't be blamed for his actions. They would kill him instead at the first excuse.

But still, these men weren't bad men. They were only doing their jobs. They thought they were rescuing a woman who had been kidnapped from her home. They would never understand that Kaoru had helped him escape, ran away with him. That she was his wife now. They didn't deserve to die.

There had to be a way that everyone could walk out of this, unharmed. But as she sat jitterily on her saddle blanket, a nerve-snap away from wringing her hands, Kaoru could not think of one way.

She stood up when she saw Kenshin riding toward her, a deer carcass slung over his horse's rump. Frightened as she was, she still couldn't help noticing how he sat astride the big black gelding, how well he rode, as though he were a part of the animal.

She looked over her shoulder, wondering if the law band had seen him.

She was about to call out to him when they exploded from the draw.

For a moment, time stood still. Kaoru saw the look of surprise on Kenshin's face as he stared at her. Then it changed suddenly into an expression of horrible, abject hurt that made tears spring to her eyes as she realized he thought she had betrayed him.

Oh, God, what had it looked like? Her standing out here, not even trying to warn him anything was wrong. The way she looked over her shoulder, he could see that she was expecting it to happen!

Guns were leveled at him as he slid from his horse, but he ignored them, still staring at her and only her. She heard voices from far away telling him to drop his sword.

With the distance between them, their bullets probably might not mean much. She held her breath, waiting for Kenshin to move, to start plowing through them with his blade.

But he didn't.

The gray-eyed young man steadily repeated for him to drop his weapon and surrender, not willing to shoot Kenshin if he didn't have to. Kaoru hoped at least the gray-eyed man's death would be quick.

Still it didn't happen.

Then, to Kaoru's complete and utter shock, she watched as Kenshin slid his sword, still in its sheath, from his belt and dropped it. She stared at it a moment as it hit the ground, her mind working, trying to understand what this meant.

Then she looked back to his face, and saw just how dull his eyes had become. Lifeless, withdrawn…deadened. He didn't even react when they advanced on him cautiously, fingers heavy on the triggers of their guns.

What had she done to him? What had she been thinking? She should have been yelling her head off the second she saw him, pointing in the direction where the party had lain hidden, anything! But, it still didn't seem right that they should die! Some of these men had kind faces, some of them probably had families, wives and children who needed them.

But…Kenshin's eyes…he…

He gave up.

He thought she had betrayed him…and, like there was nothing left to fight for, he gave up!

The next few days were unreal. They rode from sunup until sundown until dusk across vast, empty land. The long hours on horseback were hard on Kaoru. Her back and legs ached constantly. Her shoulders grew weary, her back stiff.

She tried to watch Kenshin as much as she could. He rode with his head bowed, his bangs hanging over his face. Though his hands were cuffed behind his back, he rode easily, his legs gripping the horse's sides, his body moving with the rhythm of the horse. Once, she would have admired the skill of him, the quiet inner strength that was as much a part of him as the color of his hair…but now he looked like he had died inside, and was simply waiting for his body to realize it.

The law band were a taciturn bunch, hard-eyed and trail-weary. They treated Kaoru with the utmost respect and courtesy, making certain she had enough to eat, privacy when she needed it, the smoothest stretch of ground for her bedroll at night. They were careful of their language in her presence. And their leader, who said his name was Ataru, especially took care to see that she was comfortable. When she saw that she was tired or thirsty, he called a halt so she could rest or ease her thirst.

And again, she would consider that it didn't seem right that they would have had to die if she had done more to warn Kenshin.

But then, as considerate as they were to Kaoru, they almost seemed to counteract their actions by being just the opposite to Kenshin. He was their enemy, a Wild Boy, dangerous and not to be trusted, even if he was impassive and unresponsive at the moment. There were always at least four of the men guarding him, guns trained on him at all times, making sure he had no chance to escape, even if he didn't seem to care enough to try.

Only a few times did they free his hands so he could eat, with one man always standing directly behind him with a rifle touching the back of his head, but when Kenshin didn't bother to even touch the food they stopped bothering, just leaving him be.

Kaoru was desperate to get close to him, to have just a moment alone to explain herself, but it was impossible. They wouldn't allow her anywhere near him, or to speak to him, or to even bring him water like she used to when he was on the road gang.

She studied his face whenever his guards moved enough for her to do so, trying to determine what he was thinking or feeling. But his face was usually veiled by his hair, eyes hidden away from her. He had withdrawn into himself, shutting out the rest of the world and her with it.

And it hurt horribly to see him that way. Had he really loved her so much that believing that she had deceived him had so completely destroyed his will to live?

Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she ignored Ataru when he asked her what was wrong. She had to find a way to fix this!

They arrived in a town called Seiyo, which she found was the home base for the law band and one of the larger cities on this side of the territory.

Four of the men escorted Kenshin to the jail. He went as peacefully and uninterestedly as he came, and Kaoru's heart ached, as she watched the ends of his long ponytail slide across his back as he walked.

"Would you like to get settled in the inn first, or send a message to your uncle, Kaoru-san?" Ataru asked politely.

"The…the inn, please," Kaoru said. She glanced down at her travel-stained kimono. "I'd like to clean up a bit."

He nodded. "May I escort you there?"

Kaoru hesitated. "Yes, thank you."

"I imagine you must be anxious to return to your uncle."

"Yes, of course," Kaoru lied.

"If he can't see his way clear to come after you, I'd be pleased to see you safely home."

Kaoru swallowed several times, feeling a little sick to her stomach. No, this kind young man didn't deserve death at the Wild Boy's blade just for doing this job, but Kenshin didn't deserve what was happening to him either! What could she have done differently? What could she do now!?

She looked up suddenly, realizing that Ataru was being more than just polite, offering to go out of his way to escort her back to her uncle's farm.

"Your job--" she began slowly.

"I've got some time off coming," he said. "I can't think of anything I'd rather do with my vacation than spend it accompanying a pretty young lady home."

"Yes, well…I…that is, I'll have to get in touch with my uncle first."

"Of course."

They arrived at the inn. Ataru opened the door for her and followed her inside. Kaoru had never been inside an inn before and she was uncertain how to go about obtaining a room, but Ataru took care of it for her, speaking to the clerk, signing her name in the register.

"I'll have the clerk send some hot water so you can clean up," he offered.

"Thank you. You've been very kind."

"No trouble at all. I'll have one of my men bring your gear to the hotel after we stable the horses." He fidgeted. "Do you…uh, have you--?"

"Yes?"

"The room," he said. "If you can't pay for it, I'll take care of it for you."

"Thank you, but I have some money."

"What about dinner?"

"What about it?"

"Would you mind eating with me, say about seven?"

Kaoru licked her lips, the edges of an idea forming. "All right," she agreed.

Smiling broadly, Ataru bowed politely. "I'll see you then."

Kaoru nodded, wondering if she should have refused him anyway. She didn't want to get involved with Ataru, though he appeared to be a decent man. But she had a plan, and it would be suspicious if she refused to see him again.

She forgot about him as she stepped into her room. It was large and clean, and soon the promised hot water was brought to her.

Her mind worked so hard it gave her a headache. She had to get Kenshin out.

Kenshin sat in the middle of the narrow cell. He had a vague thought, the only worded one he had had in days, that was glad his sister wasn't here right now, because she wouldn't have been able to stand the smell of old sweat and urine in this place with her powerful sense of smell.

Another thing had clawed its way through his numb shell. They had taken away the handcuffs and put leg irons on him again. Dimly but persistently, they tugged at his nerves with their familiarity.

Then, slowly, another thought made itself known.

Where was Kaoru?

They wouldn't trust him on the road gang ever again. It was as lucky as it would be unlucky if he escaped execution for killing Kamishi, but death was certainly more welcome than spending the rest of his life in one of these little cells, never to see the higher lands again, never to be free of the shackles, never to hold Kaoru again…

He whispered her name to himself, too unsteady to even curse his weakness. Even after all of this, his heart was still filled with her smile, her laughter, the shape and scents and colors of the canyon where he had been so happy.

He lifted his head slightly as he thought he heard her voice, drifting to him from somewhere outside.

He got up and found a small crate in the corner, meant to be used as a seat or a table, and carried it under the window so he could stand on it and see outside. His eyes widened when he saw Kaoru walking across the street with Ataru, the leader of the law band. He was smiling down at her. And she was smiling back.

He stared at the two of them until the disappeared inside another building. He stepped off the box and slid down the wall to sit on his heels, his teeth so tightly clenched it made his jaw ache. Agony ripped through him, more painful than anything he had ever known.

Kaoru…why?

Kaoru didn't object when Ataru took her arm as they crossed the street toward the restaurant. In truth, she was hardly aware of him, concerned as she was for Kenshin. She glanced down the street toward the jail, wishing with all her might that she could go to him, to see if he was all right.

The restaurant was small but nice, but she barely noticed it, either. She sat with her hand in her lap as Ataru ordered the meal, forced herself to listen attentively as he told her of his life, how he had been in a law band for ten years. He had a sister and three older brothers. His brothers were also in law bands. His sister was married to a lawyer.

"You're a very law-abiding family," Kaoru commented, wondering what Ataru might say if he knew she was planning to break Kenshin out of jail that very night.

The meal passed pleasantly, though Kaoru hardly tasted a thing. Just the thought of what she was planning to do had her stomach twisted up in knots.

Ataru seemed a little surprised when she told him she hadn't sent word to her uncle.

"I'll do it first thing in the morning," Kaoru said. "I meant to take care of it this afternoon, but I…I fell asleep."

He nodded. "I understand. I guess you've had a pretty rough time of it the last couple of months."

"I'd rather not talk about it," Kaoru said tightly, wishing she and Kenshin had never, ever left the canyon.

Ataru smiled sympathetically. "Sure. Would you care for some dessert?"

"No, thank you."

Later they walked down the main street, stopping now and then to look into this window or that. Kaoru stared at the goods displayed without really seeing them, her thoughts on Kenshin. The prospect of seeing him again bolstered her courage as she thought about getting him out of his prison. It would take some nerve, but she'd risk anything to free him, even if he…even if he didn't want her anymore after this.

She bid Ataru goodnight at the inn and hurried to her room. Inside, she searched through the gear that had been brought up to her earlier that day until she found a pistol she had hidden in there.

Kenshin didn't appreciate firearms, largely because he was a swordsman, but partly because they were weapons New People used. But Kaoru had felt maybe having one or two around and a little ammunition, lifted from the campsite of the dead men that had tried to take her from the canyon, might not be an unwise idea. What if Kenshin ever got sick or injured, and she had to hunt for food or had to protect herself? So she'd sacked it away and kept it safe from dust, damp, or rain in case there was ever a time when the weapon might be useful.

If now it couldn't be useful, it never would be.

She checked to make sure it was loaded, then set it aside, gathered their gear and dropped it near the door. She took up Kenshin's sword, which had been returned to her when she had explained that it had been her uncle's, slid it through her own obi to carry along with her. Then she sat down to wait.

The time passed very slowly. She heard the clock that was by the clerk's desk outside her room strike ten, eleven, twelve, and then, finally, one.

It was time to go.

Kaoru made her way down the quiet street, keeping to the shadows, the gun hidden in the folds of her kimono. All the shops were dark and closed tight. Her heart was hammering wildly by the time she reached the jail. She looked around to make sure she was alone before he opened the door and stepped inside.

A lamp burned low on the desk. A man she recognized from the law band was asleep in the chair, chin resting on his chest.

Kaoru paused, wondering if she should wake him up or not when he woke up by himself with a start. Seeing Kaoru, he sprang to his feet.

"Can I help you, Miss?" he asked politely.

"Yes," Kaoru said, just as politely, lifting the gun and aiming it at his chest. "Would you please unlock the door and let my Wild Boy out?"

"Let him out?" the man repeated, blinking at her. "I…I can't let him out."

"Well, you better," she threatened. She thumbed back the hammer, willing her hands to remain steady.

His face went white. The gun looked very big in Kaoru's hands, but she knew, as he knew, that the slightest pressure would cause the gun to fire.

"Take it easy, Miss," he croaked, reaching for the ring of keys on the desk top. "I'll let him out."

She followed him to the door of the cellblock, kept the gun steady as he swung it open and let him go ahead of her inside.

She saw Kenshin there, sitting against the wall under the window. He looked up, saw her standing there with the gun held tightly in her fist, his sword at her side.

"Open it," she demanded of the lawman, watching as Kenshin's eyes darted from him to her and back. His face went slack for a moment, then broke into a wide, elated smile that made her go a little weak in the knees.

He was on his feet and out of the cell as soon as the door opened. In one movement, he plucked the gun from Kaoru, brought he butt down across the back of the lawman's head, tossed the weapon away and dragged him inside the cell, locking the door again.

Then he turned to her, stared at her with disbelieving eyes for just a moment before he grabbed her, crushing her close. She laughed, somewhat deliriously, as he rained kisses on her face, tried to kiss back whenever he held still long enough for her to touch him with her lips, so thankful that he was all right, so glad that he realized that she hadn't betrayed him, that he still loved her, still wanted her.

But there was no time for a long reconciliation right now. They had to try several keys from the ring before they found the one to unlock his irons.

"Let's go," he said urgently once he was free and placed the sword at his own side again. Kaoru held onto his hand as she followed him out of the jail, quivering with excitement. She had done it! She got him out. Everything was going to be all right now.

They made their way around the jailhouse, followed the back alley that paralleled the main street to the livery barn. Their horses were in the corral, and Kenshin slipped between the bars, moving quietly between the horses until he came to his black one. He quickly fashioned a bridle from a length of rope he found over the fence and led the horse from the enclosure. He found a bridle for Kaoru's roan in a keg of cast-off tack, boosted her onto the animal's back.

"Where are our supplies?" he whispered through the dark.

"Behind the inn. I left them there before I went to the jail."

He nodded, vaulted lightly onto his horse, and they rode to the inn, retrieved their gear. With a smile and one last squeeze of his wife's hand, Kenshin led the way out of town.

They rode all night, until the sky began to turn from black to gray. They were heading southwest, toward the hills instead of the mountains this time. Toward the home Kenshin hadn't seen in fourteen years, if it was still there.

It was late afternoon when Kenshin reined his weary mount to a halt. Kaoru stopped beside him, and he could see from her posture and her drawn features that she was tired and aching from spending twelve hours on horseback.

She still smiled at him when he slid to the ground and lifted her from her horse.

"We'll rest awhile," he said.

She nodded, and he held her against him as he spread a blanket on the ground and set her down. He sat behind her, rubbing her back and shoulders and the nape of her neck, his fingers kneading away the soreness. She closed her eyes in pleasure, and he only stopped when her head lolled forward in sleep.

With great tenderness, he took her in his arms, holding her close. She hadn't betrayed him, hadn't left him alone. She had been trying to save him, although he was still a bit confused why she didn't warn him properly that there was an ambush for him back in the wilderness. He felt a rush of guilt for not having trusted her.

"Forgive me, Beloved," he murmured, lowering her to the ground and drawing the blanket over them both. "I will never doubt you again." Neither her loyalty nor her love, ever again.

It was nightfall when they woke. She smiled at Kenshin, her heart in her eyes as his mouth closed over hers in a long kiss.

"I missed you," she murmured as he trailed kisses over her face and neck. "I was so afraid."

"It's all right now," he said, his forehead pressed to hers, so that all he could see were her brilliant sapphire eyes.

Her hands were exploring the flesh of his ribs and abdomen through his shirt, as if as eager to be reacquainted with the feel of him as he was to her. He had sank into hell, thought her lost to him in every possible way, but now she was here again, in his arms. Her heart had never changed, had been honest from the start. He had been a fool…

He held her close for a long while, his fingers threading through her hair as he looked up at the sky… Once, this land belonged to his people, to the dragons. They had roamed the vast plains at will, knowing such freedom.

His eyes shifted to the face of his woman, sleeping peacefully against him. What would the future hold for the two of them now? He placed a hand on her tummy. What future would there be for their children? They were both human, so the children wouldn't technically be half-breeds, and yet they would grow up with one foot in both very different worlds.

Kaoru stirred beneath his hand, her eyelids fluttering open. She smiled at him, the love in her eyes chasing away all his doubts. Together, they would overcome whatever obstacles they came across.

"It's time to go," he said.

She didn't argue. They got up, washed a little, then prepared breakfast while Kenshin bridled their horses and rolled their blankets. He had found out a pretty good while ago that she couldn't cook even if it would save her life, but she could handle making a little boiled jerky.

He smiled at her as she offered him his food. Now that she was back with him, anything made by her hands would be wonderful.

It was eerie, Kaoru thought, riding through the night. The plains were quiet, dark, mysterious. Just before midnight, the wind began to blow, whispered secrets to the grass, teasing the leaves of the trees.

She shivered and looked over at Kenshin, assuring herself that he was there. He rode sitting up straight, his profile as clean-cut as an image on a coin, his long red hair blowing about in the breeze.

Suddenly it occurred to her that he was a warrior, a fighting man. Her people were at war with his people, and she would undoubtedly be considered a traitor for loving him. The thought only caused her a moment's pain before she shrugged it aside. She had never known anything but unhappiness and cruelty from her own people, while this man had shown her nothing but love and kindness.

In fact, he had only a short time ago displayed that he didn't want to live without her.

Feeling her gaze, Kenshin turned to face her. "What is it?"

Kaoru shook her head.

He frowned. "Something is troubling you."

"Yes," she admitted.

"Will you not tell me?

"It's silly," she said. "Foolish."

He looked thoughtful for a moment before he said, "There must be no secrets between us, my love."

"I…I was just thinking you're a warrior, and I wondered if…I mean--" She broke off, not wanting to offend him. "It doesn't matter. Really, it doesn't."

Kenshin halted his horse, and the roan stopped beside it.

"I've fought your people for a long time," he said slowly, softly. "I've killed those who came against us, and I've killed others who've tried to seize our lands looking for gold, and still more who laid hands on our dragons." His eyes met hers. "There will be more battles in the days head, more killing." His eyes softened, and she was surprised to see a sliver of pain settle there. "Kaoru…you're so young. You…have lived without affection for most of your life, but you've never known want, never experienced hunger, never seen the horror of war. Maybe…maybe I've asked too much of you. I could…I could take you back to your uncle, if that's what you wish," he finished quietly.

"No!" Never that. How could she return to that empty life when she had known the wonders of Kenshin's love, his patience and caring and approval?

"Are you sure, Kaoru-dono? Once we reach my village, there will be no turning back."

Kaoru felt a tugging in her heart. Why was he trying to discourage her? "Don't you want me anymore?"

In an instant, he was off his horse, pulling her off hers and into his arms. "Kaoru! I only want your happiness. You're my woman, but I would never keep you here against your will or from your people if you wanted to return to them."

"I want to be with you."

"That's good…because if you had asked to go back, I would've been sent straight back to hell with no way to come back this time." Gently, he placed on hand beneath her chin and lifted her face, making her look into his eyes. He brushed his lips tenderly across hers. "You are my wife, Kaoru. From this night forth, I will never willingly let you go."

"You are my husband, Kenshin. From this night forth I will never willingly leave your side."

For a long time they stood this way, looking into each other's eyes, and forever after that night those were vows that could never be tarnished.