Although late, but...
Happy New Year!
"Answer"
"It is a pleasure to have you back, Duke Himura."
Kenshin saw fit to sober up as soon as the leader of the Kamiya clan received him. It had been a long journey to the capital, and the fresh air of that garden was welcomed. Koishijirou was sitting at the table set up inside the kiosk inside the greenhouse. They were in the Kamiya mansion in the capital; that large structure that was just a kilometer from the emperor's palace. It was already summer, and the geraniums were in bloom.
Kenshin had arrived in the company of Aoshi, but the latter had stayed outside the premises, and in his place, the butler of the Kamiya mansion had been the one who had guided him there.
"I say the same, Duke Kamiya," the redhead greeted.
The oldest smiled, pleased, and offered the seat to his guest. Kenshin sat up instantly afterwards. The butler served tea just then.
"Once again, let me congratulate you on your company's victory. I heard that the population has even doubled in the last few months."
Kenshin nodded.
"It was a fortune to have received the miracle of the goddess," said the redhead. "Without that blessing it would have been impossible to eradicate the plague completely."
Koishijiro frowned a little, although his smile did not disappear, it did decrease in intensity.
"I understand that my daughter sent you a totem."
Kenshin stopped about to drink from his cup. He put it back on the table and smiled slightly before facing his partner again.
"She did. It was thanks in part to it that I managed to save my life during the last battle."
There was a playful gleam in his eyes, noted the brunette, who partially understood the young man's reaction in front of him. After all, that present had been sent along with Kaoru's last letter, who had sent it with an obvious look of annoyance on her face. The content of the message, however, remained a mystery to her father, but that did not mean he had an idea of what the girl could well have written to the General.
"I have to assume that your answer remains the same," Koishijirou inquired.
Kenshin nodded.
"It does. And I have to assume that it's now we negotiate the true terms behind this marriage contract."
Koishijirou's gaze sharpened.
"That's right," he said. And then he handed over a folder with reports on the second prince's actions during the previous two years, Kenshin read them one by one. "I know it's hard to believe how much his strength has grown despite being so young."
"Which shows that there's someone else pulling the strings," Kenshin pointed.
"The aristocracy is divided at the moment. There are many who did not agree with his military operations to the south. Not everyone wants the empire to continue expanding at the expense of its people."
Kenshin analyzed what was said. After finishing reading, he left the documents on the table and looked directly at the leader of the Kamiya.
"What do you want me to do?"
Silence.
Koishijirou sighed heavily.
"First of all, let's establish the advantages in your favor. Then, we will talk about your duties towards my daughter."
After the ceremony in the temple, the presentation dance was held again in the palace. Although this time, no war heroes were received, that had been a year with a great increase in users was celebrated, about twelve young people who showed mastery of each of their elements. Kaoru, of course, had been among this new group. Two years ago, she had been the youngest, this time, she was the second oldest in the group.
Following the malleability of her power, Kaoru introduced herself as an air user. Now there was no type of miracle or blessing; but that did not stop it from being a wonderful spectacle. Especially because the control of the youngest Kamiya stood out above that of her companions. The air she moved also shone as if its composition were even much denser.
"There's no doubt. There is no one who can be on Kaoru's level." Megumi murmured, who, for the second time, was witnessing her sister's presentation.
It was no secret that the brunette was grateful that the colors of her sister's ceremonial outfit remained in shades of green and did not change to match the colors of any guy who tried to be too clever.
"There will be many invitations this summer," she said happily, satisfied to see her little sister's success while hopping a better match could be made.
...
As soon as the presentation was over, each of the users headed towards the table where their respective families were waiting. Kaoru was no exception, although in her case, Megumi went straight to receive her.
"You did it well." She told her as soon as she reached her.
Kaoru shook her head, her face flushed from the effort of dancing.
"I almost discovered myself." She confessed as a complaint.
The girl couldn't say how or why, but during the last dance her power had gone out of control for an instant, and the youngest had found it difficult to control it again. It had been as if it had jumped after suddenly waking up full of energy; and then go out in search of something, someone. She barely managed to prevent the air slats from turning into light, she mentally reproached herself.
Megumi then distracted her, holding her face in both hands.
"I told you, you did it well." She told her as soon as she had her attention.
Faced with the warmth of her gaze and her smile, Kaoru ended up giving in, smiling anyway.
...
The rest of the event was somewhat boring.
After the main banquet, the dances began. However, these were reserved for couples debuting on such a night, and Kaoru - regardless of being already engaged - was not yet of age, so she had to be forced to watch from afar.
Finally, the games in the garden, with the classic explosion of fireworks. It was either that or dedicate herself to locking herself in a room for the children of the nobility, something she definitely would not do. Not because she did not want to interact with children and young people her age, but because being from the East, she really knew little about the ways of the nobility in the capital, and she did not want to expose herself so soon. Better that they consider her antisocial for the moment, she told herself.
The event soon came to an end, and Kaoru - as her father was the king's right hand - would remain that night in the palace, in a room prepared for her. After saying goodbye to her knight at the entrance to the mansion of chambers in the princess's palace, Kaoru prepared to advance with her maid towards her room. The latter, however, excused herself, informing that she would prepare the bath for her. The girl nodded.
Standing alone in the main hall, the youngest Kamiya watched the movement of the workers with a feeling of nostalgia.
"It's not as busy at home." She thought to herself.
And then she prepared to leave the room. She crossed the room and entered the hallway that would take her to the chambers.
"It's been a while, Kaoru."
And she stopped dead when she heard him say her name.
"Kenshin!" She exclaimed with flushed cheeks.
The redhead smiled widely.
"It's good to see that you haven't forgotten me, princess."
Then, just then, Kaoru reminded herself that she was upset. Closing the door behind her, she walked into the hallway until she was facing her fiancé. He was still the same tall as the last time, which she was internally grateful for since she hadn't grown much.
"I'm afraid, Ser, that it was you who forgot me." She told him with annoyance.
"I did?" Kenshin blinked in confusion, before his mind understood the problem. "I apologize," he said, still smiling. "The situation was quite complex in the North, and although I was not able to send a response in time, I did read each and every one of your letters, little Kaoru."
"You did?" She asked hopefully. Then she corrected herself. "I mean, it doesn't matter, you were rude by not even send a response."
Kenshin smiled moved. Kaoru inspired him with immeasurable tenderness. Although she was still just a child, the truth was that she had changed and grown in certain aspects, mainly her height and the roundness of her face, which had begun to gradually taper.
"Although I don't intend to excuse myself, I want to assure you that if I had been able to send a response in time, I would have done so," he assured her. Then he approached her and knelt. Only then did the girl notice the package he was carrying in his hands. "But if you allow me, I would like to give you my correspondence now."
Kaoru's eyes shone with excitement.
"Can I read them now?" She asked out loud.
Kenshin nodded.
The smile that Kaoru gave him was immense. Taking the cards in her hands, the girl looked around and then made a decision.
"We must find a place to sit," she said, taking him by the hand.
Kenshin instantly followed her back to the living room, where they took a seat in one of the armchairs near the stairs.
"If I have doubts about something, you'll have to explain to me," the little girl ordered as soon as they were seated.
"Of course," he agreed. "And I would also like it if you could also clarify some doubts regarding some of your letters. Like what this phrase "Kenshin no baka" means, it's a language I don't know."
Kaoru's face turned red.
"Ah, it's something unimportant," she assured him, laughing.
...
They talked for about two hours, sharing stories about what they had both experienced during those two years apart. That image continued to be more filial than anything else, and in a way the General understood that it would be like this for several years, if the commitment continued.
In the end Kaoru could not take the previously arranged bath, although it was not necessary. The youngest liked Kenshin more and more; she did not know what it was like to fall in love and love someone different from how she loved her father and sister and even Shura; but she was sure that that feeling was good.
...
That's why it was difficult for her to understand her sister's anguish and sadness on the day of her official engagement.
Months after her presentation and once the presentation season ended in the capital, Kaoru, along with her family, had returned home. Himura Kenshin and his company joined them just two weeks later. It was time to make the commitment official, which would be signed that afternoon in front of the senior members of the clan and a representative of the emperor who would serve as a witness.
Despite the significance of the event, it was not exactly a party. And nothing had been arranged other than what was strictly necessary for the few present. Kaoru had also been instructed that her presence was not entirely necessary, and had been given the option of going to a retirement home.
"You don't need to be present. I can sign for you." Megumi had told her, but she had refused, of course. She wanted to see Kenshin.
The youngest barely understood that... Even more so when she discovered her sister crying in her father's arms in the latter's office. There was less than an hour until the event began, the few guests were already present in the ballroom on the ground floor.
"We talked about this, Megumi. -Said the father of both. -You know. It is for the best."
Her father's voice sounded final and contrite, that even if she hadn't meant to spy, she had ended up looking through the crack in the door. Kaoru's heart beat heavy in her chest.
"It has been torture having to say goodbye to her little by little. -Megumi sobbed, her face hidden in her hands. -It's not fair. She's just a child."
Her father kept her in his embrace while he gently caressed her back, trying to comfort her. The man understood how much Megumi sacrificed by having to give up the girl she had cared for more like a daughter than a sister.
"You yourself have seen the political power that the second prince has gained. -He tried to reason instead. -You have seen in the cards the threat he represents. There is no better option if we really want to protect her."
The young woman seemed to shrink further into herself; her grief was evident.
"Still, why does it have to be now?" She sobbed. "She's just a child."
Standing at the entrance to her father's office, a step away from the open space between the wooden doors, Kaoru was released from that scene as she felt her own tears slide down her cheeks.
The girl didn't understand why she was crying. Just as she did not understand the precariousness of her situation in the empire or her father's wishes to protect her from someone she did not even know. But she could understand, nonetheless, her family's shared anguish and sadness. Suddenly feeling like she was invading a foreign space, Kaoru hurried away from that place.
...
She ran down the stairs through the servants' access, and slipped into the room, remaining hidden from the eyes of the guests. Until her gaze found the siloutte of the person she was looking for, Kaoru allowed herself to be seen in that space; she ran straight to her partner and crashed into him while hugging him.
"Oro!" Kenshin exclaimed when he felt the girl hug him suddenly from behind.
The redhead then turned and looked at her with concern, his own power crying within him, demanding that he approach his companion.
"What's wrong?" He asked her worried, caressing her head with one hand.
Kaoru looked at him then, disconcerting him with the emotion in her eyes. The girl separated and extended her arms to him. He didn't hesitate for a moment and picked her up with both arms.
"Oof... you have grown." He exclaimed when he felt the new weight, undoubtedly different from the memory of their first dance.
Kaoru pouted.
"You have not." She murmured resentfully while she wrapped her hands around his neck.
Kenshin's vein of anger throbbed in his temple.
"You stop growing after turning twenty, princess." He told her, willing to continue debating if necessary.
But Kaoru's face became somewhat sad.
"I don't know if I want to grow." She confessed. "Would that really make everything better?" She questioned with a weak voice.
Silence.
Kenshin considered it for a moment before answering; when he did, his gaze was full of understanding.
"I think the important thing now is to focus on getting to know each other, princess. -He told her with a smile appearing at the corners of his lips. Kaoru looked at him in detail. -We promised to be friends, didn't we?"
Thegirl nodded, and clung closer to him.
It was then that he felt her sister's presence in the room.
"No...!" She exclaimed, who was surely going to break that hug.
For the first time Kaoru rejected her and clung to her companion, hiding her face in him.
"Megumi!" Her father's voice was heard, undoubtedly stopping her in her tracks.
There were murmurs in the room, loud comments that only added to the sadness of the minor. Kenshin, realizing the context of both, then made a decision.
"Kaoru..." He called her.
"Hmm?"
"Don't be scared." He whispered to her.
"Ah!"
And the next moment a sphere of darkness surrounded them until they disappeared.
...
Kaoru felt the world move around her. It was cold in that spac, but it didn't burn her; on the contrary, it made her feel free. Moved. When the sensation of movement ceased and the darkness dissipated, a starry sky greeted the little girl's sight.
"Ah!" She exclaimed surprised.
Kenshin waited patiently.
They were both now in a night garden. Kaoru understood that this was the space of the darkness user, the sanctuary that only an original elemental could access, and now she was here too.
"That was..." She murmured, struggling with the words.
Kenshin waited.
'Incredible' She thought to herself. "Beautiful." She finished saying.
Kenshin breathed a sigh of relief. And then his heart leapt in his chest as the garden began to light up.
"Look!" Kaoru told him, as she released wave after wave of her light power.
The specks danced like rain until they fell on the grass and pretended to be flowers. The garden, in its darkness, was illuminated and filled with shadows, which danced under the shelter of their companion's light.
Kenshin smiled.
"For now..." He thought. "I can only protect you."
...
They returned just in time for the signing of the wedding contract. The commitment was sealed, and both clans agreed on that promise of union.
The ceremony was short, as Kaoru fell asleep as soon as the signing was done.
Kenshin handed Kaoru back into the arms of her sister, who received her with clear tear marks on her face and who also gave a look full of resentment towards the General.
"I'm sorry," was the apology from the leader of the Kamiya clan.
"It's okay, I understand," the redhead assured. "I will keep my end of the deal," he swore.
Koishijirou nodded.
...
Himura Kenshin and his company left Kamiya territory two days later, returning to the North.
The engagement was set to last one more year before the long-awaited wedding.
This time, each and every one of the letters that Kaoru sent during that year received a response.
A/N: A couple of words can soothe the soul... or in this case a couple of bad lungs T_T