The once-feared assassin of the Bakumatsu, Hitokiri Battousai, was kneeling in front of her. "Please help this one, Tae-dono."
"What's the matter?" She tried to keep her voice calm, despite the worry building within her. "Is Kaoru alright?"
He lifted his head, alarmed. "Oro? Ah, Kaoru-dono is fine. Rather, this one needs your help."
"In what, exactly?"
"…asking Kaoru-dono…to…" The poor man was so nervous.
"Oh! Are you proposing?"
Even a nod proved to be too much for him. He fell backward onto the ground, eyes rolling helplessly, and Tae winced.
When he recovered, she sat him down and poured them both tea. Because of the attack last year, she took the opportunity to redesign and rebuild the Akabeko from the ground up. They were still operating mostly out of a cart, but she had a small space to live in and cook. "Normally, you ask for permission to court first."
"Haven't we been courting since we returned from the island?"
Oh, dear. "Does Kaoru know this?"
"She did say that she wanted to be with this one."
"But did you actually ask her?"
"Oro, this one thought it didn't need to be said…"
"What have you been doing until now?"
"Little things." He was embarrassed again. "This one puts flowers in the bathhouse. And in her room and on the table. We went to the shrine together for New Year's, and this one said that she looked beautiful in her new kimono."
"Is that it?"
"This one thinks so."
"Kenshin-san?"
"Yes, Tae-dono?"
"You're completely clueless, aren't you?"
"Oro, there was one time we held each other after this one had a nightmare."
"What?!" She had never heard that before.
"That was definitely all that happened, this one never touched her after that!"
"Maybe that's the problem, you didn't do enough touching."
He didn't reply to that, letting his head fall to the table.
"Well, let's see. If you are going to propose, you'll have to make up all the romance before you do. Let's plan an outing for the two of you, the weather's been so nice. How about this? We start with…"
Tae was a bit of a romantic at heart, but while planning out a couple's excursion was fun, the actual event made her more worried than excited.
"Tae-san? Is this really alright?" Tsubame whispered beside her. Both were huddled behind a few trees, overlooking the river.
Without drawing her attention away from the couple picnicking by the banks, she answered. "Absolutely. After all, you've been cheering them on with me since the beginning. It's only fair that we see this through."
"No, not that. I meant, is it okay for us to be spying on them?"
"Tsubame-chan. If Kenshin-san messes this up somehow, which he likely will, it'll be up to us to try and mend things. And it isn't spying, it's supervising." Kenshin seemed to have noticed their presences anyway, glancing at them once.
"So what did you plan for them?"
"First, this lunch by the river. Then, they'll go for a walk under the cherry trees. Finally, they'll circle around to the dojo, where he'll give a little speech and pop the question."
"What if the hag says no?"
Tae had to clamp her hand over Tsubame's mouth and bite at her own cheek, before looking behind her and glaring at Yahiko. "What are you doing here?"
"I got bored with self-study." He shrugged. "So what if Kaoru says no?"
"But aren't they in love?" Tsubame's eyes were wide.
"Well, yeah, they're crazy about each other. But who knows what girls are thinking?"
Tae was silent. It was true that a marriage was more complex than merely mutual feelings. And while Kenshin would be more than ready, Kaoru was still young. It was clear how she felt, but in all her discussions with Tae, she had never mentioned marriage. Perhaps, she hadn't considered it, but it was just as likely that Kaoru was not ready. It had only been a few months since she returned home, and it was only a little over a year since she had met Kenshin.
Tsubame's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Tae-san, look."
The two of them had finished eating and moved to sit by the river, and the noise masked their conversation. But Kaoru was gently tugging at her hair ribbon and Kenshin seemed rather sheepish.
Ah, yes, that's why we picked this place as the first stop. It was where she gave him her hair ribbon and, in his own words, where he first realized how important she was to him.
Kaoru was fiddling with her hair, winding a lock around her fingers. Then, Kenshin reached over, catching her hand in his own. He stood, helping her up and smiling fondly at her. Kaoru was taken aback, enough to lose her balance. She fell forward, toppling them both onto the grass.
Kaoru was completely still, as if not quite registering that she was draped over him. Kenshin's expression was something between pleased and flustered. Then, reality struck and they quickly disentangled, red-faced and nervously laughing.
"At least they didn't fall in the river." Yahiko dryly noted.
They were still holding hands as they left for the cherry orchard. Kaoru appeared to be distracting herself, by looking at the water and chatting. Kenshin was amiably nodding, and when she turned her head, his expectant gaze caught on the three of them, as if to ask how he did.
Good. More, like that. Tae nodded and silently tapped her fingertips together.
There were other couples and families strolling through the orchard, admiring the blossoms, so tailing them was easier at first.
Tae kept her gaze fixed on the pair. Kaoru seemed to be more comfortable, and Kenshin was too enchanted by her to look back. They made a lovely picture, amidst the pink and white petals.
"They look very happy, don't they, Tae-san?" Tsubame remarked.
"Yes, they do." This path was secluded as well, she had made sure of that while planning it out. And with Yahiko and Tsubame, they could block it further for more privacy. If she strained her sight, she could read their lips as well.
A blossom settled in Kaoru's ponytail, and Kenshin must have told her. She reached for it, embarrassed, but he leaned forward to pluck it off. He showed her the flower and smiled as he placed it behind her ear. But his hand lingered, and Kaoru's eyelashes lowered. Two syllables, that might have been his name, escaped from her. He didn't answer, too focused on her mouth.
If he could tilt his head a little, he could go for a kiss. Tae grinned. Despite her own embarrassment, she did feel elated.
"Is he gonna kiss her?" Yahiko deadpanned. Tsubame was covering her face with her hands, but peeking through her fingers.
"Shh!" Tae hushed him. The mood was right for a kiss, and she was itching for any blatant sign of affection. She would be happy even if it was on the forehead.
But at the last second, he drew back, his fingers falling to his side. Kaoru looked dismayed, biting on her lip as he coaxed her ahead of him.
Tae desperately wanted to run over and give the redhead a good shake. As he walked behind Kaoru, he glanced at the three of them and apologetically smiled.
Don't smile at us, just kiss her! She tried to gesture, hoping he'd understand, but he had already turned around.
"Maybe, it's because we were here." Tsubame murmured.
Yahiko shrugged. "Didn't look like he was thinking about us."
"In any case, we couldn't have helped here. He's just as nervous as she is." Tae propped up her chin with her fist. After they had finished planning, she had teased him about the wedding night. He had nearly passed out again, and now that she was thinking about it, she wondered if he was ready.
It was a quiet afternoon, and although Tae made sure they'd be out of sight by the road, they could still hear the voices from the dojo.
"Last year, Kaoru-dono accepted this one here."
"That's true, but it feels like a very long time ago."
"Yes, although this one can remember well when it first felt like home." A pause. "However, after Enishi's actions, this one realized that this place is not home. This one's home is not this building or this plot of land. Where this one belongs is where you are, Kaoru-dono."
So far, so good. Tae thought. Tsubame was blushing, and Yahiko's ears were red.
"Kaoru-dono, would you let this one be your husband?"
Tae didn't quite know what she was expecting, but silence definitely wasn't it.
After a few unbearable seconds, Kaoru's shaky voice filled the air. "Oh. S-sorry, Kenshin, but this is…very sudden."
"It's alright. This one didn't do a very good job of courting."
"Courting? Us?" Something in her tone made Tae nervous, and apparently, it had the same effect on Kenshin.
"This one apologizes, Kaoru-dono, for-"
"That's exactly it!" Her voice was distressed, and Tae held back a groan. "It's been five months since we returned from Kyoto, and you still call me Kaoru-dono! Even when there's no one here but us. I use your name freely enough, and it makes me feel bad that you keep up the formality around me. I know that we might not be traditional, but I still want to be your equal."
"This one understands." He said quietly.
"And I didn't realize we were courting. I'm sorry for that. But I didn't know what to think. It was confusing, and we weren't getting closer, even after I told you that I wanted to stay by your side forever."
"This one feels that way as well. When we were apart, this one did not have any strength left."
"I know, I did too. But…couldn't you at least have told me that you loved me?"
"…that is not an easy thing for this one to say."
"I see. That's how it is." She sounded so resigned, and she must have turned away, for Kenshin repeated her name and there was no answer.
"Oh, for crying out loud!" Tae snapped and marched to the dojo. Throwing the door aside and ignoring Kaoru's yelp, she gave her best smile and announced. "Excuse me!"
"I'm so sorry." She began. "But I couldn't help it. You two need a mediator."
She took a deep breath and leveled her gaze at them. "Marriage is not an easy thing. It is a commitment, one that must be upheld every day. Not everyone can do that. But that is what marriage is. You have to open your hearts to each other, to trust each other, to lean on each other for support. And you have to talk to each other, even when it's hard."
Tae paused. "But I believe that the two of you can do it. If not starting this year, maybe the next or the year after. But I know you can, and so do Tsubame-chan and Yahiko-kun. Now, first, you have to be honest with each other."
She turned to Kaoru. "Kaoru, I've known you for years. You're a dear friend, and this is a big step. Are you ready for it?"
Kaoru spoke slowly. "Even though Kenshin did try and I appreciate that, I still need time. I think, three or four months? That would be enough time to do things properly. But I do want to marry you, Kenshin. And hopefully, by the end of this year…I'm not sure I can wait more than that."
He was about to answer to that, but Tae held up a finger. "Kenshin-san, your turn. I know you love Kaoru, but is it so difficult for you to express that?"
He focused on his feet. "This one has never said that to anyone. Not since this one's family died of cholera. They died suddenly, and perhaps, this one was scared by that. But this one will amend it now." He stepped towards Kaoru and took both of her hands in his. "This one loves you. And this one is sorry for not saying it earlier."
Kaoru blinked hard and her reply was choked. "I love you too. I love you." She gingerly held her arms up and he embraced her.
Thank goodness. Tae breathed. It's all ended well.
"Guess it's over." Yahiko drawled from the threshold, Tsubame watching from behind him. At the edge of her sight, the couple broke free from each other, but still stood close.
"Thank you, Tae." Kaoru said. "For intervening and helping us."
Kenshin nodded. "Yes, thank you, Tae-dono. How could we repay you?"
She was about to refuse, but thinking it over, she declared. "I want to cater the wedding."
"Oro?"
"Tae, we can't let you do that!" Kaoru protested.
"But I'm offering. I'll give you a discount, half off." It wasn't really the money she was after, anyway. But if Kaoru was going to be in charge of the guest list, it would include not only her students, but hers and Kenshin's friends and acquaintances. The publicity would be just as good as full payment, almost as good as planning the wedding menu and the actual day itself. "Just give me a date and I'll be on it."
"Then, it's a deal." Kenshin quickly said. "We'll look forward to it. Tsubame-chan, do you want anything as well?"
She shook her head, bashful. "I'll help Tae-san with the catering."
"Well, alright then." Kaoru sighed and turned to Yahiko. "What about you?"
He stuck out his tongue. "Like I'd want anything from you, hag! And just kiss already, I bet you've been dying for it since the cherry orchard!"
She cracked her knuckles. "How about I make you kiss the floor, Yahiko-chan?"
But Tsubame and Kenshin stood between the angry teacher and student, and Tae moved to shoo the children out. "We're glad that everything's worked out now, so we'll leave and give you two some privacy. But, don't do anything too naughty."
"Tae-san!" Tsubame was mortified and Yahiko had a disgusted expression. But Tae reveled in the newly engaged couple's simultaneous blush.
Oh, dear. It looks like we still have things to work on. But she laughed until she could barely breathe.