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

AN: As always, please forgive any typos. Work is slowly driving me into the ground.

Terms used:

shakuhachi - a bamboo flute (traditional Japanese wind instrument)

Random trivia: The mountains surrounding the Kiso Valley are sometimes referred to as 'the Japanese Alps.'

I'd like to take this Author's Note as an opportunity to thank my reviewers (which I can do pretty easily because I don't have very many.)

To Althea M, miniwoo, fic reader2, DarkBomBayAngel, IceQueenBarbarien, Jenineji, tenken22, Universal Hope, kawaii-sensei, Expert Shinobi, Neroli Jasmine, LittleDragon5, lazurite, pterion, maveldiaz, donhisiewen, flaming-amber, and Kirara26, thank you so much for sticking with my story. I really appreciate you! Tummy tingles and playful banter await you this chapter!

-Neomiko

Chapter 10

Kaoru's eyes opened once she felt the carriage shift, signaling that they were coming to a stop. She wasn't surprised to discover that she had fallen asleep on Aoshi again. However, she was surprised to see his eyes closed, face peaceful, his body leaned back against the cushions, head tilted over her own.

She craned her neck to try to look at his face. I can see why Misao is so attracted to him, Kaoru thought. Going by appearances alone, he is so handsome. And then, if you get to know him, he's actually so intelligent, thoughtful, and … Kaoru stopped short. She slid away from him a bit, which only served to allow him to slouch further onto her, his head coming to rest on her shoulder. Ignoring the frenzied butterflies that seemed to take wing in her stomach, she realized she had the rare opportunity to wake Aoshi up.

She wasn't totally certain it was a rare opportunity, but given what she had learned about him, and the little she knew from before, she was pretty sure it was.

Gently, she began brushing back the hair that had fallen from in front of his face. How is his hair so soft? I guess that makes sense because it's so shiny, but really! Shaking her head minutely – really, what was she thinking? – she whispered, "Aoshi."

In response, Aoshi nuzzled further into her shoulder, turning his face into her neck, eliciting a soft laugh from Kaoru. How could she be embarrassed by his actions when he was so clearly asleep? Just like a little boy. Her fingers traced his cheek.

"Come on, Aoshi. Time to wake up. We're in Kiso-Fukushima."

"Hmm…" Aoshi mumbled, blinking awake. His icy gaze focused on Kaoru's smiling face, inches above his own. He blinked again, slowly, the corner of his mouth turning up just a little bit against her fingertips.

"I could get used to this."

"I hope so! We're only halfway to Kyoto, I think! Plenty of time for naps in the carriage." Kaoru laughed.

Aoshi's tiny grin blossomed into an indulgent smirk as he realized his subtle innuendo flew completely over Kaoru's head.

"What's that look for?" Kaoru eyed Aoshi's smirk a little suspiciously.

"Your hair is mussed." Aoshi answered, sitting up.

"Oh! Really?" Kaoru's hands flew to her head to fix her ponytail. Aoshi watched her.

"Well, shall we explore a bit before dark? There's probably enough time to wander." Aoshi offered.

"Even if it gets dark, I'm sure it'll be fine." Kaoru smiled.

Aoshi raised an eyebrow in question, looking at her.

"I'm with you, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Imposing. Who would dare?"

"Hm…"

"I mean, really," Kaoru went on. "You're taller than anyone I've ever seen." She paused as she suddenly thought about some of the past opponents he and Kenshin had faced.

"Well," she amended, "Almost anyone."

At Aoshi's continued stare, she revised seriously, "I mean, anyone normal."

They stared at each other for a moment before Aoshi surprised Kaoru with a warm little laugh. Kaoru smiled brightly.

"I appreciate your… confidence… in my powers of intimidation."

"Ninja intimidation!" Kaoru chirped teasingly.

Aoshi only shook his head slightly at her enthusiasm.

"Let's go then, shall we?" Aoshi opened the carriage and got out. He held his hand out to Kaoru.

Reaching for him, Kaoru answered, "Let's!"

# #

# #

They wandered about, enjoying the scenery and the different people conducting their lives around them. Being so close to the famed Buddhist temple seemed to lend a peaceful air to the people and the land.

Their calm exploration took place in companionable silence, with the occasional exclamation from Kaoru or observation from Aoshi penetrating the quiet. Nearly all the homes in Kiso-Fukushima were country homes, the families growing their own vegetables practically in their backyards. A little ways off they could see the dense forest surrounding the town, which consisted of protected cypress trees. The lumber industry was carefully regulated to avoid over-cutting. Aoshi pointed out, in the far, far distance, the impressive outline of Mt. Ontake.

As early evening approached, people began hanging up brightly colored lanterns outside their doors, much to Kaoru's delight. Through several open windows the duo could hear the clear, lovely notes of the shakuhachi, the traditional bamboo flute, being played. The crickets began their night song in earnest all around them, and the smells of food being prepared for dinner wafted on the evening breeze.

As they walked silently for a little while, Aoshi was first to break the silence.

"So, Kaoru, I'm curious…"

"The great Aoshi Shinomori gets curious?"

"It is a well-guarded secret. No one has lived to tell about it."

Kaoru burst out in laughter.

"I am being completely serious. It is no laughing matter." Aoshi continued, completely stone-faced. "Very serious, indeed."

Kaoru could only laugh harder, gasping for breath while trying to apologize for not taking him seriously enough. Aoshi finally cracked a smile in the face of such obvious mirth.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. OK…I'm OK." Kaoru wiped a few stray tears from her eyes. It had been a while since she had laughed that hard. "Now, what is it that you're curious about?"

"Why do you want to get married?"

Kaoru missed a step in surprise. Aoshi's hand shot out to offer a steadying grip on her arm.

"What… why… what do you mean?" Kaoru looked up at him with wide blue eyes, not noticing how Aoshi tucked her arm into the crook of his own. They continued walking.

"You are an independent woman. I would not think that you would let typical convention dictate your life."

"It's not that. I'm not…" Kaoru sighed. "It's not that I have to get married. I want to. Ever since I was little, I've always had this… dream… this ideal family picture in my head. We wouldn't be perfect, nothing like that, but we would be happy."

Kaoru stared off into the distance for a long moment.

"My father loved my mother so much. Even though I didn't really know her, and I can barely remember her, I can still remember that love, that devotion. When it was just the two of us, my father and me, he worked so hard to raise me with so much love to make up for my mother being gone. But every day, he was sure to tell me that my mother was watching us, and loving me, from the heavens and that she would be so proud of me…"

Kaoru's fingers tightened unconsciously around Aoshi's arm in a wistful sort of gesture. She stopped walking as her brow furrowed in thought. Aoshi stood beside her patiently.

"I know it's selfish of me, but I want that. I want that complete devotion and love. I mean, I'm happy enough as I am now. I have my friends, and people like Dr. Genzai, and I know, they're practically family. But sometimes I feel like I'm missing something. I think I could be just a little bit happier sharing my life with someone, just two of us, together forever."

Kaoru chanced a glance at Aoshi's profile, only to find his bright eyes trained on her.

"Someone special." Aoshi stated. Kaoru nodded.

Kaoru's voice grew soft. "I would like to try."

They stared at each other for what felt like an eternity. Kaoru's heart pounded in her chest, quickening under Aoshi's intense gaze.

Finally, when Kaoru could hear her thundering heart thudding in her ears, she said, "Aoshi?"

"I don't think that's selfish at all, Kaoru." Aoshi lifted his free hand up, smoothing his fingers over her furrowed brow, easing the lines of concentration. Kaoru closed her eyes at his touch, smiling a little tremulously. "That's a better reason than I've ever heard from anyone about why they want to get married."

Aoshi's hand dropped back to his side, and Kaoru opened her eyes to look at him once more, but he had already turned to face forward. She studied the strong angles of his face for a moment before turning to look forward as well. Mt. Ontake stood silently in the dark distance.

"Life can be a journey alone," Aoshi's deep voice startled Kaoru from her thoughts. "But it can also be a journey shared with a partner. One does not have to be alone."

Kaoru turned her head to stare at Aoshi once again. He glanced down at her, his expression unreadable and eyes glinting mysteriously in the flickering lantern lights. His mouth moved.

Kaoru's eyes were drawn to his mouth, watching his lips move, before she realized he was asking her something. She looked up into his eyes only to find him watching her knowingly. Ohhh, I just got caught staring at his mouth! What must he think of me?

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" Kaoru was very proud of the way her voice didn't shake.

Not very much, anyway.

"I asked if you were ready."

"Ready for what?" Kaoru asked, dumbfounded. What is he talking about?

"Ready…for us… to get… some… dinner." Aoshi spoke slowly, Kaoru hanging on his every word.

"Ready… for…" Kaoru's brain seemed to take an extra long time processing his words. "For…oh! Dinner!"

Aoshi's teasing smirk, the one that drove her heart rate up and set off butterflies in her stomach, emerged.

"Just for that, you're paying!" Kaoru snorted, dropping his arm and flouncing ahead.

"Of course I am." Aoshi agreed, following her sedately.

After a few paces, Kaoru stopped and turned around.

"Uh, where are we going?"

"The local soba and dumplings are rumored to be delicious here, so I imagine stopping by any little place will do." Aoshi answered, walking up to stand next to her.

"Right. Onward, then!" Kaoru declared, one fist raised above her head.

"In the pursuit of food?" Aoshi's enthusiasm was distinctly lacking in comparison, but the teasing note in his voice was quite evident.

Without thinking, she swiftly punched Aoshi in the arm. Aoshi, not expecting her to do such a thing, was a little surprised at how much it hurt. He rubbed his arm gingerly. I know I'm supposed to be the strong, silent type, but that smarts!

Aoshi was impressed with the power Kaoru could pack into an unconscious punch. I wonder why Yahiko and Sanosuke constantly provoke her temper if they have to suffer even harder punches than this one…Oh. Brain damage, maybe.

Mortified at her suddenly lack of…propriety… Kaoru began to apologize profusely.

"I'm sorry! I don't know what I was thinking! It was just a reaction… automatic, even…I mean, I wasn't thinking…"

"Punching is your first reaction? I suppose Misao didn't need to worry about your safety, after all."

Kaoru's mouth dropped open. She fairly shrieked, "What are you trying to say?"

"You know, if you wanted to link arms, Kaoru, you only had to ask. You don't have to numb my arm to do it."

Kaoru gasped. "You…! You! You are SO buying me a dessert, too!" Kaoru thought for a moment. "And maybe even a souvenir."

Aoshi laughed at her outraged expression. "Yes, of course I am."

To Be Continued…

PS. Punching is actually my general first reaction. It seemed to fit Kaoru's profile.

- Neomiko