AN: Middle-of-finals-drabble go! Also, very sorry for any errors on Japanese culture/facts/etc.

Amber & Jasmine

3. Lights

XX

"Mou! Kenshin! Are we there yet?"

The amused chuckle that she got suggested they were not, and that he was having too much fun at her expense. She twisted her face into the must frustrated look she could muster, but she imagined the look was lost on him with the blindfold she had on. Plus, he likely had his eyes on the road. Well, she hoped.

"Now, Kaoru, there is this little thing we've been working on... it's called patience..."

The strangled noise she made caused him to only grin wider, eyes flickering from the road to his girlfriend. "I. Am. Patient," She hissed through clenched teeth.

"You are the very model of patience, Kaoru," Kenshin agreed somberly. Or at least, as close to somber as he could manage without laughing.

She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. Kenshin could not help but think she was adorable, even with all the impatient fussing and whining about being in the car and not knowing where they were going. It had been quite the trial to get her to agree to come along, much less wear the blindfold so she could not take any guesses as to where they were going, and even with all her protesting and fits, he could not say he regretted it.

Truthfully, her antics amused him, and it would make the destination all that much more fun. And surprising.

The car came to a stop and Kaoru reached up to the blindfold, only to have Kenshin cluck at her with his tongue, grabbing her wrist. "You get to remove it only if you promise to keep your eyes closed until I tell you."

"Damnit, Kenshin!"

"Pro-mise," He sing-songed in his soft tenor, earning him a very adorable spiteful look.

"Fine," Kaoru grumbled.

"Hmmm?"

"Fine! I promise!"

"Wonderful!" Kenshin was beaming, not that she could see it. But oh, she could hear it, and it only made her scowl. He was having far too much fun with this.

He guided her, making sure she did not trip or fall, his hand at her back and the other at her elbow. She felt like an absolute idiot, as she could hear people around them, and surely they were all watching him lead her like a blind woman. Whatever he had planned better be worth all of this embarrassment!

Finally, Kenshin leaned over and murmured, "You can open your eyes now."

She did so, without any hesitation, and her vision focused on the people moving in toward the same destination, then to the area they were in. Wait... this was...!

"Kenshin!" She squealed, grabbing onto his arm tightly, all pretense of irritation forgotten. "Nabana no Sato! Oh, my god! You're taking me to see the tunnel of lights! You are officially the most amazing person in the whole world!"

Kenshin laughed, eyes twinkling at her reaction, loving how excited she was. "I do recall you mentioning a long time ago that seeing this display was on your bucket list, no?"

She turned to him, face brimming with admiration, excitement, and gratitude. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Her words were ended with her throwing her arms around his neck, and his response was to hug back tightly, practically lifting her off the ground in the process.

He set her back down, grinning. "Hopefully it was worth all of the grueling not-knowing I put you through."

She swatted his arm, grinning back widely. "Hush, you. Let's go!"

She was practically vibrating in place while they waited to get in, and Kenshin was almost certain that once they stepped into the tunnel she had reverted back to a six-year-old. Her eyes were as wide as saucers, and the reverent smile on her lips seemed to be permanently etched into place. She held onto his hand tightly as they walked through the tunnel, and he could not even begin to be bothered by her grip when she was simply so happy.

They stayed there for what seemed like an eternity, and the only reason Kenshin was keeping track of that progression of time was that the night was not yet finished. Kaoru had no idea, watching everything with child-like fascination.

They were standing in front of the field of lights that led up to an image of Mt. Fuji in the background, and Kenshin glanced over to see Kaoru staring in appreciation, her lips still curved into a soft smile. It made him smile in turn, and now felt like a good of time as any. Especially when she glanced back at him, her brows lifting in curiosity at his intent gaze on her. "What?" She asked, grinning. "Am I acting like an idiot?"

"No," He laughed, shaking his head and his bangs bounced around him. "Not even remotely. But, I do have something I want to ask."

"Oh?" She tilted her head at him, watching him fondly. Her amused look melted into one of wonder as she saw him pull a little black box out from one of his pockets, and that smile of his had been replaced with something more reserved. Confident, but reserved.

The ring was elegant, of white gold, sapphires and diamonds, and the facets reflected all the lights around them beautifully. "Will you marry me, Kamiya Kaoru?"

He had not thought her smile could get any more brilliant than what he had already seen tonight, but the one she graced him with at that moment put all the rest to shame. "Yes," She whispered, tears building at the corners of her eyes. "A thousand times, yes."

Kenshin barely managed to slide the ring onto her finger when she threw herself at him again, arms wrapping tightly around his neck. She made a happy little noise before pulling back enough to kiss him, hard.

Yes, tonight had been so worth it.

End.

XX

AN: I really want to see the Tunnel of Lights. It's so on my bucket list. One day...

Comment, please. -Phoe-chan