Part 1: Strange Surprises
The rising sun in the distance shone through the screens of Kaoru's
window. Dreamily, her eyes fluttered open, awakening from her dream.
"Kenshin. . . " she whispered to herself. She dreamt of the
day Kenshin would finally ask her hand in marriage. Her sane mind knew
that after she found out late last year that Kenshin was married before,
things would not work so easily. Still, a girl could dream. . .
Kaoru sat up, stretching her limbs. Knowing that Kenshin was already
awake preparing breakfast for everyone, she arose, walking to her chest
of clothes. Carefully selecting a kimono she knew Kenshin liked, she
carried it to the bathing room. On her way there, she ran into Yahiko.
"Morning, Yahiko! What are you up to?"
"I'm gonna get something to eat! Megumi's here, and she making
those cakes I like! Don't expect me to leave any for YOU!" Yahiko
laughed, slapping Kaoru on the arm playfully.
"Megumi's here? Why?"
"Hey, everyone's here! Genzai-sensei, Ayame, Suzume, Sano. . .you
better hurry up before all the food's gone!" he waved to Kaoru,
running toward the outside door.
Kaoru wondered what brought everyone to the dojo today. Strange, she
thought. A grumble of her stomach made her move slightly quicker toward
the bathing room. Once inside, she disrobed, slipping into the tepid
water. Oddly, it was scented with rose oil this morning.
"I wonder what they're all up to. . ." Kaoru pondered aloud.
A knock at the door turned Kaoru's head to the right.
"Kaoru-dono. . .?"
"Kenshin! What is it?" a surprised Kaoru asked.
"We're all waiting for you outside. Try to hurry up a bit with
your bathing."
"Oh, okay." Kaoru smiled. Kenshin was so polite. He could
just as easily have said something biting and crude. However that wasn't
him. . . .
Rushing to dry off and put on her kimono, Kaoru ran outside to greet
everyone. She was surprised to see what everyone had in their hands.
Flowers. . . Kenshin was the first to stand in front of her.
"Kaoru-dono, we know what a hard time you've been having with
the dojo. We just wanted to do something to make you feel appreciated,
if you don't already do. So, today is your day. Everyone will be at
your disposal."
For a few moments, Kaoru was speechless. She finally managed to say
something intelligible.
"I don't know what to say, everyone! This is very generous of
you. Thank you very much," Kaoru said, bowing slightly to everyone.
Ayame and Suzume ran over to Kaoru, pulling her to sit in the circle
with everyone else. Kenshin sat next to Kaoru, helping himself to some
of Megumi's cakes.
"Jo-chan," Sanosuke started. "were you out to impress
someone today? I've never seen that kimono of yours before."
"No, not really to impress anyone," Kaoru's cheeks tinted
pink. "This is only the second time I've worn it. I just thought.
. ."
Megumi glanced at Kaoru and Kenshin. "Ken-san, don't you have
something for Kaoru?"
"You're right, Megumi-dono. . ." Kenshin smiled at Megumi,
then turned to Kaoru. "Kaoru-dono, I've known you for almost 2
years now. . . ."
As Kenshin paused, Kaoru couldn't help but notice the intense stares
at Kenshin and herself. She also realized how everyone had someone in
their lives. Sanosuke and Megumi, no matter how much they denied it,
Yahiko and Tsubame. . .all that was left was. . .
". . . .and you were there to help me when I needed it most. You
are a true friend, Kaoru Kamiya. I know what you do for me, for everyone,
you do out of love. . . " Kenshin continued to speak while Kaoru
lowered her head to hide her blush. "Look over there, Kaoru-dono."
Kenshin pointed to 6 barrels of rice, as well as several cases of something
unknown, in front of the tree. "We want to do the most to help
you, since you've helped us so much. . ."
"Oh, my, Kenshin! That's very generous of you. . .of all of you.
." she turned to everyone, smiling.
"Don't worry about it, Jo-chan. I've got to get my food somewhere,
and my bill at the Akabeko is just too much right now anyway. .. "
Sanosuke began to speak, before Megumi hit him on the back of his head.
Everyone laughed at the two.
"Hush, Sanosuke! Go on, Ken-san. ."
"Right. Kaoru-dono," Kenshin grasped Kaoru's left hand, squeezing
it slightly. His eyes seemed to twinkle with excitement. "The past
is behind us. All we have to look forward to is the future, right?"
"You're right, Kenshin. And so. . ?" Kaoru was nervous now.
It almost seemed like he was proposing to her! "And so, Kaoru Kamiya,
would do me the honor of --"
"HIMURA-SAN!!!" a shout from just beyond the courtyard wailed.
"HIMURA-SAN, WE NEED YOUR HELP!!"
"Oro?" Kenshin turned to face the direction where the voice
came from. Without Kaoru's realizing, Kenshin slipped a ring onto her
finger, then stood up to greet the deeply concerned face of two police
officers. Kaoru gasped, but looked up at the dusty officers.
"What's wrong?" Kenshin asked the first young man. "Himura-san,
all hell is breaking loose in the next village. I don't know WHO they
are, but the local police don't stand a chance against them. You HAVE
to help!"
Kenshin looked to Sano. In silent agreement, they began to walk with
the officers.
"Kenshin. . ." Kaoru stood, almost whispering his voice.
It was enough for him to hear it.
"Kaoru-dono," he turned to her, stopping just behind Sanosuke.
"I'll be back to finish what I wanted to say. . " he smiled,
then continued to walk with the unknown men.
Everyone was in shock at the events of the morning. There was still
much of the day left to go, but time had halted for Kaoru. "I'll
be back to finish what I wanted to say. . . ."
Kaoru walked toward the barrels by the tree, looking out at the road
where Kenshin and Sanosuke followed those men. She twirled the ring
on her fourth finger over and over.
"Kenshin. . .come back to propose to me. . .make me your wife.
. ."
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