Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Flight of the Wounded Dove ❯ Preparations ( Chapter 12 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Shaeya Sedjet Namir 
Anime/Manga: Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Hentai / Romance | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 06.18.2007 | Updated On: 06.21.2007 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.7K | Visits: 348 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Hentai / Romance | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 06.18.2007 | Updated On: 06.21.2007 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.7K | Visits: 348 | Status: Work In Progress
A Note From Sedjet: I know it has been eight years since I have updated this fic. Well, not really, but close enough. The plain and simple fact of the matter is that I am scared to death of writing the wedding scene that I keep putting it off. I keep writing more chapters leading up to the event, but I never get there. The truth is, I don’t even know where to begin! It’s a silly phobia, I know, but a phobia none the less. I’m just scared to death I’m going to make a mess of the entire thing.
Disclaimer: I am in no way claiming to own any sort of right to Rurouni Kenshin! I just like to pretend that I am god and bend the characters to my will. Mwahahaha!!! Ahem. Kenshin and his friends actually belong to Noburhiro Watsuki.
Flight of the Wounded Dove
Chapter Twelve:
Preparations
Thanks to Tae a shrine had been reserved, the flowers ordered, invitations sent out, the menu planned and Kenshin’s wedding kimono chosen. Since nothing else about the couple’s engagement or present situation was traditional, Tae was determined that at least their wedding would be. Some of the guests had already arrived and were distributed between Tae and the dojo.
Presently, the nearly weds were enjoying a light lunch with Misao and Aoshi who had eloped sometime in the past couple of months. No one seemed surprised when they revealed the information, not even Kenshin. Misao was chirping happily away about married life, all the while clutching at Aoshi’s arm. What was surprising was that Aoshi wore a small smile the entire time, his eyes twinkling with nearly hidden mirth. Even a fool could tell that he was madly in love with the psychotically genki girl beside him.
“Kaoru! Are you going to have a Yui-no exchange?”
Kaoru fought the urge to roll her eyes, “Of course, Tae has it planned for this evening.”
Misao squealed, “I can’t wait!”
The men exchanged glances and Kenshin patted Kaoru’s arm in a comforting gesture.
“Kenshin, let us walk and let Kaoru and Misao chat a while,” Aoshi suggested, feeling a little too overcome by the feminine excitement of the moment.
“Hai,” Kenshin nodded. He turned to his fiancé, “We will not be gone long, koishii.” He brushed a tender kiss against her cheek, bringing a soft smile too her delicate features.
“Hai, Kenshin. Enjoy your walk.” Then, to Aoshi she said, “It is nice to see you again, Aoshi. I am so happy you have come all this way for our wedding. Thank you.”
Aoshi smiled slightly and nodded before leading the way out of the living room.
When they were out of earshot of the women, Aoshi turned to Kenshin. “I must say I was surprised to hear that you had finally proposed to Kaoru-chan.” At Kenshin’s confused expression, he explained, “I never thought for a moment that you could wander off and leave her again, but neither did I think that you would ever truly settle. I am pleased to see, however, that you have chosen to protect the girl by revealing your feelings for her instead of distancing yourself from her. It was destroying you both.” The stoic young man had noticed how close the couple had been during the meal. His keen eyes had see every touch, every fleeting glance. He smiled inwardly thinking that perhaps the saying was wrong. Perhaps an old dog really could learn new tricks.
Kenshin did not say a word, but he knew all too well how detrimental his behavior had been to both parties. But that was in the past, and he did not want to think about it anymore. Rather, he would remain focused on beginning a new life with the woman who was his salvation.
“Am I to assume that you are speaking from experience, Aoshi? It was most surprising to know that you ran away to get married like a pair of forbidden lovers,” Kenshin smiled. “After all, when has it ever been in your nature to be impulsive?”
“Hai, I speak from experience. Men like you and I sometimes become too set in their ways. We do not allow ourselves to feel the necessary emotions in life. I discovered the hard way that it begins to eat away at your insides until, eventually, there is nothing left. We are lucky to have salvaged anything in the way of a relationship with these women.”
“You smile, now, that is nice to see,” Kenshin observed. “And your smiles are now sincere, far different from the old rurouni mask you used to wear. Isn’t it strange how admitting one simple thing can change your entire existence?” Aoshi mused.
“Hai, indeed.”
Later that evening, the people gathered at the Kamiya dojo were separated into two rooms: the women in the living room, the men in the dojo. Tae was holding a Yui-no for Kaoru, while Sanosuke was hosting a gathering for the men. Among the attendants at the Yui-no were Megumi, Tsubame and Misao. So far things were going well. Well…with the exception of Misao and Tae both being completely inebriated. That was an unexpected occurrence which had Megumi snickering and had Kaoru ducking her head in utter embarrassment. Fortunately, Tae stood and announced that it was time for the presentation of the Yui-no gifts.
“Now,” the tipsy woman began, “Who would like to present the first gift?”
Megumi smiled slyly and the assembled group could swear they saw a pair of kitsune ears spring up on the top of her head. “I will go first, Tae-san.” She reached into her sleeve and pulled out a small bundle and handed it to Kaoru. When the younger girl looked at her questioningly, Megumi rolled her eyes, “Oh, for Kami’s sake, Tanuki, open it!” She hid her grin behind a hand while Kaoru opened the tiny bundle.
Kaoru looked at the strange herb quizzically. “What is it, Megumi-san?”
Tae burst into obnoxious laughter, wheezing, guffawing and snorting. “Kaoru-chan! You’ve never seen Konbu* before?” At Kaoru’s incredulous shake of the head, there was more obnoxious laughter and snorting on Tae’s part, “It’s a fertility drug, Kaoru-chan!”
“But I do not keep a garden, Megumi-san…” Kaoru ventured.
Tae leaned in close to Kaoru, attempting to whisper, but being completely unsuccessful, “It’s not for that kind of fertility silly! It’s meant to help breed healthy babies!”
Kaoru turned beet red from chest to scalp. “Tae! You mustn’t say that kind of thing around Tsubame! It isn’t proper!”
“Pish-posh! It’s about time she learned the way of things, hmm, Tsubame?”
Tsumbame merely nodded, humoring her benefactor.
Megumi and Misao were giggling, Tsubame was shaking her head, Tae was cackling and snorting and Kaoru wanted to crawl under the table and simply die. She wanted to wring the kitsune’s pretty neck.
“Now, now, Tanuki-chan, that was just a gift in jest.” She pulled a small-ish box out of her sleeve and handed it to the still-beet-red girl. “This is your true Yui-no gift.”
“Do not think that I will forget this when the time comes for your Yui-no, Megumi-san,” Kaoru said in a saccharine-sweet voice.
Megumi took on affected an indignant posture and sniffed, “Who said I will have a Yui-no. I am devoted only to my patients,” she stated imperiously.
“Oh, there will be one!” Tae crowed, “When that chicken-head finally comes to his senses and gathers the courage to ask you!” She giggled madly.
“Oh? And who says I will accept?”
“It is in every look you throw his way when you think no one is looking, Megumi-san,” Tsubame murmured softly.
Megumi threw her hands up in disgust, “From the mouths of babes!”
Tae fell over snorting, Misao giggled madly, Tsubame blushed demurely and Kaoru hid her grin behind the sleeve of one of her newest kimono.
“Oh, shut up, all of you. Just open your gift, Tanuki,” Megumi snapped, though everyone could see that she was struggling not smile.
Kaoru opened the small, white box and removed the top layer of soft wool that hid what was beneath. Her mouth gaped at what the fluff revealed. Nestled on a second bed of fluff was a beautiful set of haircombs carved in the shape of a very intricate phoenix. “Oh, Megumi,” she whispered as her eyes filled with tears, “They are beautiful.”
The older woman nodded, “They suit you, Kaoru-chan. I am very glad you like them.”
“Thank you so much, Megumi!” Kaoru threw her arms around Megumi’s neck, and the older woman’s eyes widened for a moment. Then, her expression softened and she wrapped her arms gently around the girl she had come to care for as a sister (though, she would hate to admit it to anyone).
At the end of the evening, Kaoru had acquired a small pile of lovely gifts, both traditional and for fun. Tae had given her some sort of dried fish that was supposed to strengthen married couple’s relationship and a set of green jade earbobs with a matching necklace that bore the symbols for luck, prosperity and happiness; Misao had given her a beautifully crafted calligraphy set and large bottle of jasmine scented oil for her bath; but the most surprising gift had come from Tsubame. She had made a quilt for the couples’ ‘nuptial bed’, but lastly, she brought out a tiny quilted blanket. It was quilted from many different silk patterns in many different colors. There were white cranes on a red background, orange bubble eyed fish on a blue background, pink cherry blossoms on a red background and creamy white and pink water lilies on a green background. Kaoru had been stunned speechless, and even Tae and Misao sobered up a bit.
“Tsubame, this is beautiful!” Kaoru breathed as she stroked the quilted silk.
Tsubame blushed shyly, “I thought you would need one if you have a baby. I’ve been working on them every day since I found out about the wedding.”
Kaoru blinked tears from her eyes, holding out her arms. The younger girl went shyly into the embrace, hugging Kaoru gently.
“This is by far the most special gift I have ever received, Tsubame. Thank you so much.” She kissed the young girl’s cheek, causing her blush to deepen.
“I’ve always looked up to you, Kaoru-chan. You are so strong and independent. I’ve never met anyone like you. And I am honored that you have allowed me to become part of your family,” she whispered in a voice husky with tears.
Megumi cleared her throat, “Well,” she said in an overly-chipper tone, “We should gather Kaoru’s gifts and help her take them to her room and go see what kind of trouble the men have gotten themselves into.” There were murmurs of agreement and the women set about doing just that.
In the dojo, things had become rowdy. Someone had allowed Yahiko to have sake (though, whether it was Hiko or Sanosuke, no one could be certain), and the spiky-haired teen had been challenging everything to battle (Kenshin, Sano, Hiko, the table…), For the most part Kenshin sat quietly, with a peaceful smile on his face, only sweatdropping when Yahiko chose another piece of furniture to challenge.
Dr. Genzai and Kenshin talked a bit about what Kenshin would do for income. The older man suggested that Kenshin take on a teaching position at the dojo. Kenshin balked at the idea, certain that no one would want to learn from the former Battousai. The kind doctor then suggested that, perhaps, he should think about joining the police force and, for the first time that anyone in the assembled party could remember, Kenshin laughed raucously. The thought of joining Saitou was a little too much for him. He assure the good doctor that he had no cause to worry and that he would think of something.
Sano and Aoshi were playing cards, and Aoshi was winning every time.
“No fair! You have the best expression for playing cards!”
“Are you referring to the fact that he has no expression?” Hiko suggested dryly. At that, Aoshi cracked the hint of a smile and laid down another winning hand.
When the women finally made it out to check on the men, the sight that greeted them was too much. Yahiko was curled up next to Sanosuke in a corner of the dojo, both snoring loudly; Hiko was smacking Kenshin with his sake casket, chanting, “Bakadeshi, bakadeshi, bakadeshi.”; Dr. Genzai was still droning on about income; and Aoshi was counting the night’s winnings.
The women giggled at the sight and went to collect their respective charges. Megumi sashayed over to Sanosuke and, when everyone thought she would scream loudly in his ear to wake him, she gently shook him, murmuring that it was time to go. She further surprised everyone by letting him lean on her. “C’mon Tori-atama, it’s time to go home.”
“Where’re we goin’?” He slurred.
“Well, there is no way I am walking through your neighborhood at this time of night with you as debilitated as you are. So, I suppose we are going to my place.”
Sano nodded, nuzzling his head against her head, “Mmkay…Can I sleep with you?” Megumi’s eye twitched and she slapped him on the forehead. “Oi! What was that for!” Megumi just rolled her eyes and gently tugged him out of the room.
Misao had already glomped onto Aoshi and the couple bid their good nights to nearly weds, “Goodnight, Kaoru! I am so excited about tomorrow!” She kissed the older girl’s cheek and bounced away, Aoshi following in her wake, murmuring something about her being drunk.
Tae was busy collecting both Hiko and Dr. Genzai. She was muttering all the remedies she knew for getting rid of hangovers and Hiko was grinning at her like a lovesick puppy. That, Kenshin could not believe. Never had his mentor shown any interest in women. The man was a hermit! Now, he was flirting shamelessly with Tae! Would wonders never cease?
Amidst all the commotion, Tsubame had gently woken Yahiko and he was busy professing his undying love for her. The young girl was blushing to the roots of her hair and tugging gently at the young boy to get him back to the main house. Kaoru could hear her chiding, “Yahiko, you should not drink. You will have a headache in the morning.”
As Kaoru watched all of the guests depart, Kenshin came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder. ”How was the Yui-no?”
“It was wonderful, Kenshin! Tsubame made the most beautiful quilts!”
“Quilts?” The redhead querried. “Why more than one?”
Kaoru blushed, “Well, she made a very small one, in case we have a baby…”
A baby…Kenshin had never thought he would be in a position to have children. He had never even considered the possibility that, one day, he might have children of his own. He stroked Kaoru’s hair thoughtfully, smiling softly. A child. A child with Kaoru. That was an idea he could get used to. He looked at the woman who had been his salvation, “Will you show me?”
Kaoru nodded, smiling softly, leading him out of the dojo toward the main house.
TBC…
*known for its ability to breed – to wish the couple many happy and healthy children
I got this information at: http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/culture/marriage_modern.html
Note: How was it? I’m sorry I took so long! I just finally said, “to hell with it!” and decided this was something I couldn’t be scared of anymore. I’m going to start the wedding chapter very soon, so be watching for it. I’m hoping to get it out sometime soon, though, with my crazy schedule, I never know when I’ll be able to finish a chapter.
Disclaimer: I am in no way claiming to own any sort of right to Rurouni Kenshin! I just like to pretend that I am god and bend the characters to my will. Mwahahaha!!! Ahem. Kenshin and his friends actually belong to Noburhiro Watsuki.
Flight of the Wounded Dove
Chapter Twelve:
Preparations
Thanks to Tae a shrine had been reserved, the flowers ordered, invitations sent out, the menu planned and Kenshin’s wedding kimono chosen. Since nothing else about the couple’s engagement or present situation was traditional, Tae was determined that at least their wedding would be. Some of the guests had already arrived and were distributed between Tae and the dojo.
Presently, the nearly weds were enjoying a light lunch with Misao and Aoshi who had eloped sometime in the past couple of months. No one seemed surprised when they revealed the information, not even Kenshin. Misao was chirping happily away about married life, all the while clutching at Aoshi’s arm. What was surprising was that Aoshi wore a small smile the entire time, his eyes twinkling with nearly hidden mirth. Even a fool could tell that he was madly in love with the psychotically genki girl beside him.
“Kaoru! Are you going to have a Yui-no exchange?”
Kaoru fought the urge to roll her eyes, “Of course, Tae has it planned for this evening.”
Misao squealed, “I can’t wait!”
The men exchanged glances and Kenshin patted Kaoru’s arm in a comforting gesture.
“Kenshin, let us walk and let Kaoru and Misao chat a while,” Aoshi suggested, feeling a little too overcome by the feminine excitement of the moment.
“Hai,” Kenshin nodded. He turned to his fiancé, “We will not be gone long, koishii.” He brushed a tender kiss against her cheek, bringing a soft smile too her delicate features.
“Hai, Kenshin. Enjoy your walk.” Then, to Aoshi she said, “It is nice to see you again, Aoshi. I am so happy you have come all this way for our wedding. Thank you.”
Aoshi smiled slightly and nodded before leading the way out of the living room.
When they were out of earshot of the women, Aoshi turned to Kenshin. “I must say I was surprised to hear that you had finally proposed to Kaoru-chan.” At Kenshin’s confused expression, he explained, “I never thought for a moment that you could wander off and leave her again, but neither did I think that you would ever truly settle. I am pleased to see, however, that you have chosen to protect the girl by revealing your feelings for her instead of distancing yourself from her. It was destroying you both.” The stoic young man had noticed how close the couple had been during the meal. His keen eyes had see every touch, every fleeting glance. He smiled inwardly thinking that perhaps the saying was wrong. Perhaps an old dog really could learn new tricks.
Kenshin did not say a word, but he knew all too well how detrimental his behavior had been to both parties. But that was in the past, and he did not want to think about it anymore. Rather, he would remain focused on beginning a new life with the woman who was his salvation.
“Am I to assume that you are speaking from experience, Aoshi? It was most surprising to know that you ran away to get married like a pair of forbidden lovers,” Kenshin smiled. “After all, when has it ever been in your nature to be impulsive?”
“Hai, I speak from experience. Men like you and I sometimes become too set in their ways. We do not allow ourselves to feel the necessary emotions in life. I discovered the hard way that it begins to eat away at your insides until, eventually, there is nothing left. We are lucky to have salvaged anything in the way of a relationship with these women.”
“You smile, now, that is nice to see,” Kenshin observed. “And your smiles are now sincere, far different from the old rurouni mask you used to wear. Isn’t it strange how admitting one simple thing can change your entire existence?” Aoshi mused.
“Hai, indeed.”
Later that evening, the people gathered at the Kamiya dojo were separated into two rooms: the women in the living room, the men in the dojo. Tae was holding a Yui-no for Kaoru, while Sanosuke was hosting a gathering for the men. Among the attendants at the Yui-no were Megumi, Tsubame and Misao. So far things were going well. Well…with the exception of Misao and Tae both being completely inebriated. That was an unexpected occurrence which had Megumi snickering and had Kaoru ducking her head in utter embarrassment. Fortunately, Tae stood and announced that it was time for the presentation of the Yui-no gifts.
“Now,” the tipsy woman began, “Who would like to present the first gift?”
Megumi smiled slyly and the assembled group could swear they saw a pair of kitsune ears spring up on the top of her head. “I will go first, Tae-san.” She reached into her sleeve and pulled out a small bundle and handed it to Kaoru. When the younger girl looked at her questioningly, Megumi rolled her eyes, “Oh, for Kami’s sake, Tanuki, open it!” She hid her grin behind a hand while Kaoru opened the tiny bundle.
Kaoru looked at the strange herb quizzically. “What is it, Megumi-san?”
Tae burst into obnoxious laughter, wheezing, guffawing and snorting. “Kaoru-chan! You’ve never seen Konbu* before?” At Kaoru’s incredulous shake of the head, there was more obnoxious laughter and snorting on Tae’s part, “It’s a fertility drug, Kaoru-chan!”
“But I do not keep a garden, Megumi-san…” Kaoru ventured.
Tae leaned in close to Kaoru, attempting to whisper, but being completely unsuccessful, “It’s not for that kind of fertility silly! It’s meant to help breed healthy babies!”
Kaoru turned beet red from chest to scalp. “Tae! You mustn’t say that kind of thing around Tsubame! It isn’t proper!”
“Pish-posh! It’s about time she learned the way of things, hmm, Tsubame?”
Tsumbame merely nodded, humoring her benefactor.
Megumi and Misao were giggling, Tsubame was shaking her head, Tae was cackling and snorting and Kaoru wanted to crawl under the table and simply die. She wanted to wring the kitsune’s pretty neck.
“Now, now, Tanuki-chan, that was just a gift in jest.” She pulled a small-ish box out of her sleeve and handed it to the still-beet-red girl. “This is your true Yui-no gift.”
“Do not think that I will forget this when the time comes for your Yui-no, Megumi-san,” Kaoru said in a saccharine-sweet voice.
Megumi took on affected an indignant posture and sniffed, “Who said I will have a Yui-no. I am devoted only to my patients,” she stated imperiously.
“Oh, there will be one!” Tae crowed, “When that chicken-head finally comes to his senses and gathers the courage to ask you!” She giggled madly.
“Oh? And who says I will accept?”
“It is in every look you throw his way when you think no one is looking, Megumi-san,” Tsubame murmured softly.
Megumi threw her hands up in disgust, “From the mouths of babes!”
Tae fell over snorting, Misao giggled madly, Tsubame blushed demurely and Kaoru hid her grin behind the sleeve of one of her newest kimono.
“Oh, shut up, all of you. Just open your gift, Tanuki,” Megumi snapped, though everyone could see that she was struggling not smile.
Kaoru opened the small, white box and removed the top layer of soft wool that hid what was beneath. Her mouth gaped at what the fluff revealed. Nestled on a second bed of fluff was a beautiful set of haircombs carved in the shape of a very intricate phoenix. “Oh, Megumi,” she whispered as her eyes filled with tears, “They are beautiful.”
The older woman nodded, “They suit you, Kaoru-chan. I am very glad you like them.”
“Thank you so much, Megumi!” Kaoru threw her arms around Megumi’s neck, and the older woman’s eyes widened for a moment. Then, her expression softened and she wrapped her arms gently around the girl she had come to care for as a sister (though, she would hate to admit it to anyone).
At the end of the evening, Kaoru had acquired a small pile of lovely gifts, both traditional and for fun. Tae had given her some sort of dried fish that was supposed to strengthen married couple’s relationship and a set of green jade earbobs with a matching necklace that bore the symbols for luck, prosperity and happiness; Misao had given her a beautifully crafted calligraphy set and large bottle of jasmine scented oil for her bath; but the most surprising gift had come from Tsubame. She had made a quilt for the couples’ ‘nuptial bed’, but lastly, she brought out a tiny quilted blanket. It was quilted from many different silk patterns in many different colors. There were white cranes on a red background, orange bubble eyed fish on a blue background, pink cherry blossoms on a red background and creamy white and pink water lilies on a green background. Kaoru had been stunned speechless, and even Tae and Misao sobered up a bit.
“Tsubame, this is beautiful!” Kaoru breathed as she stroked the quilted silk.
Tsubame blushed shyly, “I thought you would need one if you have a baby. I’ve been working on them every day since I found out about the wedding.”
Kaoru blinked tears from her eyes, holding out her arms. The younger girl went shyly into the embrace, hugging Kaoru gently.
“This is by far the most special gift I have ever received, Tsubame. Thank you so much.” She kissed the young girl’s cheek, causing her blush to deepen.
“I’ve always looked up to you, Kaoru-chan. You are so strong and independent. I’ve never met anyone like you. And I am honored that you have allowed me to become part of your family,” she whispered in a voice husky with tears.
Megumi cleared her throat, “Well,” she said in an overly-chipper tone, “We should gather Kaoru’s gifts and help her take them to her room and go see what kind of trouble the men have gotten themselves into.” There were murmurs of agreement and the women set about doing just that.
In the dojo, things had become rowdy. Someone had allowed Yahiko to have sake (though, whether it was Hiko or Sanosuke, no one could be certain), and the spiky-haired teen had been challenging everything to battle (Kenshin, Sano, Hiko, the table…), For the most part Kenshin sat quietly, with a peaceful smile on his face, only sweatdropping when Yahiko chose another piece of furniture to challenge.
Dr. Genzai and Kenshin talked a bit about what Kenshin would do for income. The older man suggested that Kenshin take on a teaching position at the dojo. Kenshin balked at the idea, certain that no one would want to learn from the former Battousai. The kind doctor then suggested that, perhaps, he should think about joining the police force and, for the first time that anyone in the assembled party could remember, Kenshin laughed raucously. The thought of joining Saitou was a little too much for him. He assure the good doctor that he had no cause to worry and that he would think of something.
Sano and Aoshi were playing cards, and Aoshi was winning every time.
“No fair! You have the best expression for playing cards!”
“Are you referring to the fact that he has no expression?” Hiko suggested dryly. At that, Aoshi cracked the hint of a smile and laid down another winning hand.
When the women finally made it out to check on the men, the sight that greeted them was too much. Yahiko was curled up next to Sanosuke in a corner of the dojo, both snoring loudly; Hiko was smacking Kenshin with his sake casket, chanting, “Bakadeshi, bakadeshi, bakadeshi.”; Dr. Genzai was still droning on about income; and Aoshi was counting the night’s winnings.
The women giggled at the sight and went to collect their respective charges. Megumi sashayed over to Sanosuke and, when everyone thought she would scream loudly in his ear to wake him, she gently shook him, murmuring that it was time to go. She further surprised everyone by letting him lean on her. “C’mon Tori-atama, it’s time to go home.”
“Where’re we goin’?” He slurred.
“Well, there is no way I am walking through your neighborhood at this time of night with you as debilitated as you are. So, I suppose we are going to my place.”
Sano nodded, nuzzling his head against her head, “Mmkay…Can I sleep with you?” Megumi’s eye twitched and she slapped him on the forehead. “Oi! What was that for!” Megumi just rolled her eyes and gently tugged him out of the room.
Misao had already glomped onto Aoshi and the couple bid their good nights to nearly weds, “Goodnight, Kaoru! I am so excited about tomorrow!” She kissed the older girl’s cheek and bounced away, Aoshi following in her wake, murmuring something about her being drunk.
Tae was busy collecting both Hiko and Dr. Genzai. She was muttering all the remedies she knew for getting rid of hangovers and Hiko was grinning at her like a lovesick puppy. That, Kenshin could not believe. Never had his mentor shown any interest in women. The man was a hermit! Now, he was flirting shamelessly with Tae! Would wonders never cease?
Amidst all the commotion, Tsubame had gently woken Yahiko and he was busy professing his undying love for her. The young girl was blushing to the roots of her hair and tugging gently at the young boy to get him back to the main house. Kaoru could hear her chiding, “Yahiko, you should not drink. You will have a headache in the morning.”
As Kaoru watched all of the guests depart, Kenshin came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder. ”How was the Yui-no?”
“It was wonderful, Kenshin! Tsubame made the most beautiful quilts!”
“Quilts?” The redhead querried. “Why more than one?”
Kaoru blushed, “Well, she made a very small one, in case we have a baby…”
A baby…Kenshin had never thought he would be in a position to have children. He had never even considered the possibility that, one day, he might have children of his own. He stroked Kaoru’s hair thoughtfully, smiling softly. A child. A child with Kaoru. That was an idea he could get used to. He looked at the woman who had been his salvation, “Will you show me?”
Kaoru nodded, smiling softly, leading him out of the dojo toward the main house.
TBC…
*known for its ability to breed – to wish the couple many happy and healthy children
I got this information at: http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/culture/marriage_modern.html
Note: How was it? I’m sorry I took so long! I just finally said, “to hell with it!” and decided this was something I couldn’t be scared of anymore. I’m going to start the wedding chapter very soon, so be watching for it. I’m hoping to get it out sometime soon, though, with my crazy schedule, I never know when I’ll be able to finish a chapter.