Disclaimer: Neither Rurouni Kenshin nor its characters belongs to me. Sigh.

Notes: A bit about the Nakasendou: the major road through the central mountains, part of an ancient network of highways that travelers used to go between Kyoto and Tokyo. Travel services (horseback) usually took anywhere from 3 to 7 days, depending on how fast you wanted to get there. The post could go much faster, because postmen could stop at the different towns to pass letters along, or get fresh horses. Alternately, walking would take much longer. The stops I'm having Kaoru and Aoshi make will take approximately seven days. However, I may have them stay longer in any given location. I haven't decided yet. Also, I made up the carriage. I have no idea if that's really a feasible size, but then again, most people walked the Nakasendou and I'm having them use a romantic little carriage, so there. I'm making travel times suit my needs. It's fanfiction! I can do what I want. :D

Terms:
Kotatsu – a low table
Tateba – rest stops located mid-way between post towns. Typically, they were a small cluster of tea houses which were unofficially established by local people who took advantage of the needs of travelers who would stop for a rest and some refreshment before moving on to the next official post-town. (Source: .)
Honjin – usually the largest building in the post-town, often located in the center, and generally designated as the inn for daimyo and other travelers of high rank to stop for a rest or stay the night.
Waki-honjin – lodging for second-ranking travelers (highest ranking stayed at the honjin.)

Chapter 4

Kaoru awoke to a sharp knock on her door.

"Kamiya, it is time to wake up." Aoshi's deep voice floated through the shoji.

"I'm up! I'll be ready in a few minutes!" Kaoru bolted out of her futon.

Aoshi could hear Kaoru scrambling inside the room. He chuckled quietly to himself. It had been a wise decision to check to see if she was awake at an early enough time. All their baggage had been prepared last night, with the just the bare minimum left to use this morning. They needed to get an early start on their trip to Kyoto. He started off down the hallway, satisfied that she would make her appearance soon.

"Breakfast will be ready shortly." He called over his shoulder. What sounded suspiciously like a body falling over came from Kaoru's room. Aoshi stopped.

"You cooked?!" Aoshi could hear the incredulity in Kaoru's voice.

"Yes." He resumed walking down the hall, unable to keep the smirk off his face.

As predicted, Kaoru, dressed in a simple blue yukata, came out to the dining room a few minutes later. Aoshi was just finishing setting the kotatsu with the simple breakfast of shiro miso, rice, pickled vegetables and broiled fish. A pot of tea was already prepared. Kaoru's eyes bugged out of her head. Who knew Aoshi could cook?

Aoshi, correctly interpreting the look on Kaoru's face, stated "The Oniwabanshuu's legitimate business side is a restaurant, Kamiya. I did help out when necessary. Himura isn't the only man who can cook."

Kaoru conceded his point. She sat down, amazed by how delicious it all looked. She took a sip of the miso. It's just as tasty as it looks! This is so unfair. Aoshi sat down across from her. A pained expression stole over Kaoru's face.

"I can't believe you can cook." Kaoru muttered.

"Perhaps you will have time to learn a few things in the kitchen at the Aoiya during your stay, Kamiya."

"Really?" She turned wide eyes to Aoshi.

"I am sure Okon and Omasu would be glad to share some recipes for you to take back to Tokyo when you leave."

"I haven't even made it there yet, and you're already planning for when I leave?" Kaoru teased.

"It is best to be prepared." Aoshi replied.

"Did you just make a joke?"

Aoshi simply picked up his tea and took a drink. Kaoru stared at him a moment, then, deciding it a lost cause, began eating the rest of breakfast. They finished their meal in companionable silence. Kaoru cleared the table, making her way to the kitchen.

"If you'll excuse me, I'll take care of these dishes and then we can be on our way." She said, her hands full.

"I'll gather the last of our bags. The carriage should be here shortly." Aoshi stood, nodding at her.

Sure enough, when Kaoru walked to the front gate several minutes later, Aoshi was helping the carriage driver secure their belongings to the rooftop of the carriage. It was on the smaller side, really only made for about two people to fit comfortably inside with the driver up top in the front, and light enough for two horses to pull easily. Excitement bubbled up in Kaoru's chest. She had never been on this kind of trip before. The last time she went to Kyoto was to find Kenshin. She didn't get to enjoy the journey there, worried as she was, and then when she did arrive in Kyoto, she spent all her waking hours searching for her wayward swordsman or working at the Shirobeko to earn her keep.

"Come, Kamiya. We have a fair distance to go before we reach Fukiage. I'd like to get there before nightfall." Aoshi called, nimbly leaping off the carriage to open the door for her.

Smiling, she locked the front gate, and climbed into the carriage with the help of Aoshi's outstretched hand. Ascending the narrow carriage steps was no easy feat in a yukata. Aoshi had much more mobility in his typical garb. Once she was settled inside, Aoshi spoke briefly with the driver before joining her. Kaoru was busy examining the interior of the carriage. Completely wooden, they were fortunate enough to have upholstered the benches and backrests inside the carriage so that the journey would not be too arduous to the passengers' backsides. While not opulent, it was comfortable enough. There were large windows on each side of the carriage, and a small rectangle of one in the front and the back.

When the carriage abruptly jerked to a start, Kaoru gave a little gasp of surprise. Here we go!, she thought, and leaned to look out the window on her right. Aoshi inwardly smiled at her childish exuberance. She really hadn't had much experience traveling, if a little thing like this could get her so excited.

The first few hours Kaoru spent staring out the windows, watching the scenery roll by. Being early summer, the weather was pleasant, the heavy humidity of August still more than a month away. Never before had she appreciated the beauty of Japan's countryside like this. Trains, a mark of the future, would no doubt be running across all the country, given how vastly they've improved travel times. She could just imagine tracks crisscrossing the earth, steel snakes cutting through the vibrant natural beauty. With the encroachment of modern technology, she realized she was looking at her country, her people, on the verge of changing. Would people still adhere to the old ways if newer, faster methods were discovered?

Aoshi told her a little about the route they were taking, the Nakasendou. It was the route used by not only peasants and businessmen, but also government officials, traveling between Kyoto and Tokyo, right through the central mountains. At some point, Kaoru fell asleep, lulled by the steady rocking of the carriage and the plains rolling by. Some time later, Kaoru awoke to a gentle shaking on her shoulder.

"Kamiya, I thought you might want to be awake when we stop for lunch."

Embarrassed at falling asleep in front of Aoshi, Kaoru nodded dumbly, still trying to fully wake up. Glancing out the window again, she saw a beautiful, wide river. She turned questioning eyes to Aoshi.

"That is the Arakawa. We will be stopping soon in Warabi to refresh the horses and eat."

Discreetly, Kaoru tried to see her reflection in the window, wondering what she looked like after having just woken up. Realizing there wasn't much she could do about it even if she looked terrible, she settled herself comfortably in her seat and resumed looking out the window. Since they were traveling in the late spring/early summer months, everything was lush and green and blooming. The Arakawa was sparkling, belying its depth and strength. Boats dotted the water here and there, and all too soon they were over it and closing in on Warabi.

Kaoru's stomach gave an unladylike growl. Aoshi's lip curled up, ever so slightly.

"We will be there soon, Kamiya." Kaoru nodded her head jerkily in embarrassment.

True to his word, the carriage rolled into Warabi shortly after. Though not huge, the town boasted more than 400 households with 23 inns and 2 honjin. Most post-towns only had one. Stopping at a beautiful waki-honjin, Aoshi descended the carriage. He held a hand out to assist Kaoru down. As she emerged from the carriage, she took a good look around. There were lots of people, although not as many as in Tokyo, but the area certainly was lively with shops and travelers. She gripped Aoshi's hand in excitement before realizing that she hadn't let go of his hand once she set foot on the street. Embarrassed again, Kaoru dropped his hand like a hot potato, and bowed her head once in thanks for his assistance down from the carriage. Am I doomed to be red-faced forever around this man?

Aoshi led Kaoru into the waki-honjin. Weary travelers were checking in and out, and there was a constant stream of people in the waki-honjin's dining area. Aoshi spoke to one of the proprietors, arranging for a small table towards the outside, where they could watch people walk by. They were seated immediately.

"That seemed awfully easy." Kaoru said.

"The Oniwabanshu still has pull in this day and age." Aoshi replied mysteriously.

They ate lunch in relative silence, Kaoru engrossed with admiring the waki-honjin as well as watching people around her. After lunch, Aoshi suggested a walk to stretch their legs and allow Kaoru to see more of the town. She was delighted with his suggestion. As they wandered around, Kaoru was surprised, but not really, at the amount of information Aoshi seemed to possess on the tip of his tongue. What was really surprising was his willingness to share it with her. Kaoru, so used to the stoic ninja doing little and saying even less in her presence, found his openness refreshing. Perhaps having Misao as a mouthpiece made Aoshi feel like he did not need to contribute to most conversations?

Kaoru remembered to pick up little trinkets for everyone back in Tokyo. She chose useful little items from a local woodcarver so that each piece would have its own story and not be a generic thing one could buy anywhere. Soon enough, Aoshi led them back to the carriage to resume their journey. It would not be long before they reached Fukiage, and there would be plenty of time to sightsee there, too. As they got underway again, Aoshi announced, "I have one more stop I'd like to make before Fukiage."

Kaoru tilted her head to the side, her obvious question unasked.

Aoshi merely replied, "It's a small surprise I think you may enjoy."

Getting used to the mysterious ninja's taciturn manner, Kaoru simply nodded and turned her head to watch the world outside their carriage go by. This time, she was sitting with her back to the front, so Aoshi could see what they were going to pass before she did. After a while, Aoshi's eyes narrowed as he caught sight of something outside. He reached over and closed the curtains hanging on both of the side windows, obstructing Kaoru's view. Before she could ask him about it, he said, "We're nearly there."

A few minutes more and Aoshi rapped sharply on the roof of the carriage. Apparently this was the signal to the driver to stop because the carriage rumbled to a halt almost immediately.

"Now, Kamiya, close your eyes."

Trustingly, Kaoru closed her eyes, her hands in her lap. She heard the door open and could feel the dip of the carriage as Aoshi climbed out. Suddenly, she felt a large, warm hand cover hers. Kaoru felt a little thrill whirl in her stomach. Aoshi had reached back into the carriage to help her.

"Come." Gently, Aoshi pulled her, leading her out of the carriage and down to the ground. Once he led her a little way from the carriage, he let go of her hands. Kaoru barely heard him take a few steps to stand behind her, but she could feel him.

Aoshi's deep voice came from directly behind and above her. "Now, open your eyes."

Kaoru did as she was told. She blinked a few times to adjust to the bright sunlight, and then gasped in delight at what she saw. All around her were huge fields of vibrant, red flowers. There were bright, scarlet slopes, rippling in the breeze, as far as she could see. She spun around, a giant smile on her face as she looked up at Aoshi.

"This is amazing, Shinomori-san! How did you know about this place?"

"From here, Ageo, to Kitamoto, the fields are renowned for their red blooms. Not only are the flowers themselves attractive and sought after, but also provide the coloring for most cosmetic rouge. The trade is very profitable."

Kaoru laughed. "Of course you would know the practicality of a place like this."

Breathing deeply, she turned back to face the crimson fields. They seemed to beckon her forward. Darting a glance over her shoulder, she hitched her yukata up a little and then ran into the closest patch of flowers. The blooms were quite high, reaching her waist. Still laughing, she danced around, hands skimming the tops of the flowers, her blue yukata, pale skin and black hair contrasting sharply within that brilliant explosion of red and green. She turned to Aoshi, her arms outspread. "It's so beautiful!"

Eyes glued to her form, he whispered, "Yes, it is."

After a few more minutes of running around, Kaoru returned to Aoshi's side. From seemingly nowhere he held two bright blossoms in his hands. Kaoru couldn't remember seeing him move at all from where he was standing. Wordlessly, he tucked one flower gently behind her ear. Then he took one of her hands and lightly pressed the other into her palm. She gazed up at him in question.

"For you to always remember how happy you were this moment." Aoshi said simply.

Kaoru flushed hotly, briefly wondering if her face matched the flower in her hair. Her fingers closed around the stem of the other flower tightly, but carefully. Her heart hammered in her chest, and she couldn't find the words to speak. Aoshi seemed to take her silence in stride.

"The flowers here bloom for a short period of time. They may already be fading, or gone completely, when you return home. Better to enjoy them now, and have a lasting memory. Come, we should continue on to Fukiage. We can check in and enjoy the afternoon before dinner."

Kaoru followed him back to the carriage, smiling happily, heart still pounding. After they had settled in, Kaoru finally found her voice.

"Thank you, Shinomori-san. That was such a wonderful surprise." Kaoru held the flower close to her heart.

Aoshi leaned back a little, observing Kaoru's still-flushed face. She did seem quite pleased with his little stop. "You are most welcome, Kamiya."

The rest of the ride to Fukiage was a silent affair.

To Be Continued...