Epilogue

Marital Moments

~o~

Kenshin smiled indulgently at his new wife, as she tried to tie her obi for the third time.

"Mou! Stupid knot," she said in irritation as her pulling only succeeded in tightening the knot further. Kenshin walked over and caught her hands in his and brought them to his lips for a kiss. Releasing them, he reached for the knot and swiftly untied it, then finished the elaborate bow she had been attempting.

"How did you know how to do that?" She asked in honest admiration.

He shrugged casually, but there was a gleam in his eye when he smiled.

"I've watched you tie your obi every day for the past week, while I have been untying it for the same length of time. I could have done it for you after the second day."

Taking her face in his hands, he kissed her nose, then moved back to look into her eyes.

"Why don't you tell me why you are so nervous?" he asked, as he moved his hands down to her shoulders to massage the tense muscles there.

"Who says I'm nervous," she replied, a little too quickly.

He looked at her steadily and she squirmed under his gaze and dropped her eyes to the front of his gi.

"You'll only laugh at me if I tell you," she said in a low voice.

Kenshin pulled her into his arms and pressed her head to his chest. He rubbed his chin across her silky locks.

"Kaoru," he said in a mildly chastising tone, "koishii, you know I would never laugh at you."

"Then you will think I'm silly" she mumbled into his gi, as she listened to the steady beat of his heart and breathed in his clean, masculine scent.

"I promise I won't think you are silly. Adorable possibly, but never silly. Please tell me?"

She twisted her fingers in the front of his gi, then pushed away from him to reach for her brush. She ran it through her hair, then stopped to look at him.

"Everyone knows what we've been doing," she said simply.

Kenshin blinked, trying to discern what she could possibly be referring to.

"What exactly have we been doing?" he asked, clearly baffled.

"You know," she said in exasperation with a sweeping hand toward the futon, still open in the middle of the room. "what we do!"

"Ah" he said, finally understanding what she was intimating.

"You do know, koi, that it is a common practice for married couples. One of the more enjoyable ones," he added with a smile. "We are no different than anyone else, so why should it make you uncomfortable?"

"It's just a little embarrassing, knowing all those people at the party are going to be looking at us, and just know."

"I think you worry yourself needlessly" he said, hiding a smile. "If you like, I would be happy to occupy your mind with more….pleasant pursuits." He said, as he leaned over to kiss her neck.

"Baka, I just got dressed" she said in mock irritation, as she leaned against him.

"Why should that be a problem?" he asked, as he reached a hand around to caress her breast through the fabric of her pale pink kimono. "I'm very good at tying obis."

Kaoru shivered. "But the party…"

"is not for several more hours," he finished smoothly, his hands already busy removing her clothing. "We have plenty of time."

"What exactly did you have in mind?" Kaoru asked, looking at him from under her lashes.

Kenshin leaned over to kiss her, lightly brushing his lips against hers in a teasing manner.

"Allow me to demonstrate" Kenshin murmured, as her obi dropped to the floor.

~o~

Kaoru glared at her husband as she self-consciously pulled the neckline of her kimono a little higher. The laughter in Kenshin's violet eyes irritated her further.

"You did it on purpose," she said in a furious whisper, as she reached out to uncover a food platter for the party.

"Now, now, koi, you know you drive all rational thought away with that little trick of yours," he whispered back. "How exactly do you do that, anyway?" he asked, eyeing her.

Kaoru gave him a smug smile as she narrowed her eyes at him. "That's my secret."

"Hmm. You also seem to be forgetting this" he said, as he pulled his gi aside to reveal the love bite on the right side of his chest. "Did you do this intentionally?"

"Of course not! You were…oh, never mind," she said in exasperation.

Their whispering was interrupted when Tae entered the room, carrying the last of the platters. She placed it on the table next to the others, then turned to beam at the couple.

"Everything is ready. Now we just have to wait for everyone to get here. That is a beautiful kimono Kaoru-chan, is it new?" Tae asked, coming closer to inspect it.

Kaoru unconsciously smoothed the sky blue fabric she wore with a purple floral-patterned obi. "No, it was my mother's," she said with a smile. She had been delighted to find several of her mother's kimonos in nearly new condition, and they had fit her perfectly.

"You must be the same size she was," Tae said.

"Apparently so. Too bad Kenshin couldn't wear any of my father's clothes," she said, laughing. Her father had not been a very large man, but Kenshin was still much smaller, and he would have looked like a child playing dress-up in her father's things.

Tea turned to look at him. "It's nice to see you in something new, Kenshin-san. It suits you."

Kaoru turned to admire her husband in the blue-grey gi and grey hakama. She had chosen his clothes, thinking how well they would go with his red hair and violet eyes, and she hadn't been wrong. He had protested new clothing, but she had won the argument in the end, using a method of persuasion that had resulted in the few scattered love bites hidden beneath her kimono. Kaoru colored slightly at the memory.

Kenshin caught Kaoru's look and smiled before turning to look at Tae.

"Kaoru-dono convinced me that it was time I had something new, and I'm sure she was correct."

Kaoru smiled at his admission, and missed the calculating look Tae shot her way before looking back at Kenshin.

"I'm sure our Kaoru-chan had no trouble convincing you, Kenshin-san," Tae said, with a wink at Kaoru that caused her to blush all the way up to the roots of her hair.

"I'll just go see if anyone has arrived yet," Tae said tactfully, and left the room.

"I should have just painted my face red for today, since I'm sure it will remain that color most of the time, anyway," Kaoru muttered, while pressing her hands to her cheeks to cool them.

"Come, koi, we have guests." Kenshin said, and laced his fingers with hers to lead her out into the yard. He paused to press a kiss to her forehead. "You look beautiful," he murmured.

She smiled gratefully at him, and squeezed his hand. Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and they walked out to follow Tae.

~o~

"Hey Tae, where do you want me to put the sake?" Yahiko yelled as he walked through the front gate.

Megumi walked beside him carrying a large platter of her famous ohagi. The smell of it had Yahiko leaning closer, fairly drooling for a taste. Friends and neighbors were standing here and there, chatting pleasantly and drinking tea and sake.

"Just put it in the kitchen please, Yahiko-kun," Tae called, waving her hand in that direction.

Megumi followed Yahiko to the kitchen where they both deposited their burdens. She turned back towards Yahiko, who stood silently in the doorway, looking across the yard. Megumi stood beside him and followed his gaze. The newlyweds were smiling and talking with an elderly couple that lived nearby.

"I can't believe those two finally figured it out," Megumi said, while shaking her head.

Yahiko snorted. "Yeah, well, even someone as smart as Kenshin needs a kick in the pants once in a while. He may be a master swordsman, but he sure is dense when it comes to women."

"And you know so much?" Megumi asked with an indulgent smile.

Yahiko darted her a quick look, then folded his arms. "Maybe not, but busu is as transparent as rice paper. Anybody could see what she was feeling."

"Sometimes, things can be complicated, Yahiko, even when you are aware of the other person's feelings," Megumi replied absently. Thoughts of a certain rooster-head floated through her mind, and she sighed.

"Maybe, but at least Kaoru is happy now, and that makes Kenshin happy."

Reaching out to ruffle Yahiko's unruly locks, Megumi gave him a gentle smile. "You make a very good brother, Yahiko-kun. Kaoru-chan is lucky to have you looking out for her."

"We all look out for each other, Megumi," Yahiko said as he gave her a long look. "That's what makes all of us family."

Megumi gave him a sly look. "That's right, Yahiko-kun. So, why don't you go sit with Tsubame-chan? She looks a little lonely."

Yahiko scowled at Megumi, but after securing two handfuls of ohagi, he promptly trotted off towards the shy girl to share his treat.

Megumi watched him go, then turned her gaze back towards the newlyweds. "Maybe it's time for me to move on" she whispered.

~o~

Kenshin and Kaoru bowed politely to the elderly couple, and thanked them for coming. Kaoru looked up to see Tokio walking towards her, followed closely by Saitou.

"Tokio-san!" Kaoru eagerly embraced the older woman.

"Kaoru-san, I see marriage agrees with you, you are glowing," Tokio replied.

"Tokio-san, this is my husband, Himura Kenshin," Kaoru said proudly.

Tokio bowed gracefully. "Himura-san, I am pleased to meet you, and may I wish you great joy with your bride."

"Thank you, Tokio-dono. Kaoru-dono has told me how much she appreciates your friendship."

"Indeed, I look on her as a younger sister," Tokio said with a smile, "and her happiness is important to me."

Kenshin smiled, happy to have such an elegant woman looking out for his beloved.

"Battousai," Saitou greeted him.

"Saitou," Kenshin acknowledged with a nod.

"I hear you have agreed to take on the job of tracking for the police. We will be working together again, it seems," Saitou said, with a smirk.

"Yes, we cannot allow these senseless murders to continue," Kenshin said grimly. A madman had been stalking and killing the women of Tokyo, and Kenshin knew it was his duty to help catch the wily criminal. Uramura had not even had to convince him when he learned the killer was targeting young women between the ages of sixteen and twenty. Innocent young women the same age as Kaoru. His stomach clenched just thinking about it.

As the men talked, the women spoke quietly to each other.

"I do hope you are putting your knowledge to good use, Kaoru-san," Tokio murmured.

"Oh, yes, I am putting it to excellent use, Sensei," Kaoru said with a laugh.

Kenshin was absently listening to their quiet conversation, but was especially struck by Kaoru's last few words, and turned to look at the two women with a puzzled frown on his face.

"Sensei?" he asked, with raised eyebrows.

Both women turned to look at him at the same time. Tokio with a serene smile on her face, and Kaoru with a predatory gleam in her eye and a satisfied smirk. Kenshin had the sudden urge to squirm, when it hit him like a ton of bricks. His innocent little wife had an uncanny ability to please him in the bedroom. Beyond anything he had ever imagined. Almost as though she had studied how to….

Kenshin gulped and felt the blush steal across his face. Looking away from the women, he looked straight into the face of the smirking Wolf of Mibu.

"I warned you about gossiping women, Battousai. It seems you have been the target of a conspiracy." Saitou turned an appraising look on Kaoru.

"I'm impressed, Tanuki, I didn't know you had it in you. The fool never knew what hit him."

Kaoru narrowed her eyes at him, but Tokio patted Saitou's arm and leaned closer to him.

"All you men underestimate women, Hajime. And it is that very thing that gives us power."

"I am well aware of your power, woman," Saitou said, with a raised eyebrow.

Turning back towards Kenshin, Saitou jerked his head towards the dining area where food and drinks were being served.

"Come on, Battousai, you look like you need a drink."

Kenshin followed Saitou, suddenly eager for several dishes of sake.

Kaoru watched the men retreat, and looked back at Tokio.

"At least I'm not the only one blushing today," she said with a triumphant smile.

~o~

Kaoru stretched out in the bath and groaned. The party had gone fairly smoothly, but she was exhausted now, and her feet were throbbing. Kenshin had suggested she have a long soak while he finished the last of the cleaning, and escorted Tae back to the Akabeko.

Kaoru leaned her head back and allowed her mind to wander. She thought of her elderly neighbors, and wondered fleetingly what she and Kenshin would look like when they were old. Would Kenshin still have red hair, or would it turn gray? She giggled at the idea of a white-haired Kenshin toting a tofu bucket.

Sighing, Kaoru stepped out of the bath to reach for her towel when she was enveloped in a soft towel and strong arms. Relishing the feeling of being cared for, Kaoru closed her eyes as Kenshin dried her thoroughly, then pulled her to the other side of the room where he wrapped her in her robe.

Kaoru noticed Kenshin was already dressed for bed as she stifled a yawn.

"Did you find the party as uncomfortable as you thought it would be?" Kenshin asked. They exited the bath house and walked towards their room.

"No" Kaoru said, honestly. "I think the worst moment was when Koga-san had too much sake and started singing that crude song." She shuddered at the memory of the loud crooning that had everyone cringing and covering their ears. It seemed so out of character for the usually dignified merchant.

Kenshin smiled and shook his head. "Sake can bring out sides of people that are better left hidden. I hope Kogo-dono is not too embarrassed when he learns of his behavior."

"Especially the part when he tried to dance with Tae!" Kaoru and Kenshin laughed companionably as they entered their sleeping chamber. Kaoru knelt before her dressing table to brush her hair out then twist it into a braid, and Kenshin spread their futon for the night.

Setting her brush aside, Kaoru looked at herself in the mirror. Grabbing Kenshin's folded gi, she stuffed it under her robe so that it looked like she had a big belly. Turning sideways, she surveyed her reflection and frowned. Kenshin watched her from across the room with a slight smile tugging at his lips.

"Kenshin, do you think I'll get really fat when I'm…when…" Kaoru couldn't bring herself to actually say pregnant.

Kenshin walked silently across the room and pulled Kaoru to her feet. He removed the bunched up gi from under her robe and tossed it aside. He swiftly removed their yukata and laid them to one side then pulled Kaoru to the futon. He held her hand as she laid down then slid in next to her. He propped himself up on an elbow, and touched Kaoru's smooth belly with a reverent hand.

"Koi, if you had a child growing inside you, you would not be fat, but blooming with life. A life that I would have placed inside you during our lovemaking. How could I ever think you were anything but beautiful when you carried our child?" Kenshin leaned over and kissed her belly, then rubbed his face against the silken skin. "If Kami-sama sees fit to reward our love with a baby, it would be a great blessing for this unworthy one."

Kaoru ran her fingers through his fiery locks. She was pleased at his words, but feeling strangely flustered. She longed for a child, but was also suddenly terrified at the prospect. She shoved the feelings aside, deciding to analyze them at a later time.

Kenshin looked back up at her with violet eyes sparkling with mischief. "Now, koishii, would you like to tell me a little more about what your new sensei instructed you in?"

Kaoru leaned forward to kiss him, then pulled away when he leaned toward her to deepen the kiss. "You have been enjoying the benefits of my lessons for the past week. You should be grateful I am an excellent student."

"I am very grateful you are so skilled. Perhaps you will allow me to fully express my gratitude, while working on my own skills?" He nuzzled her belly, causing Kaoru to shiver in anticipation.

"You know Kenshin, there is still one dream I haven't told you about. I was rather embarrassed by it at the time, but perhaps you would like to hear it, anyway?" she asked uncertainly.

Taking her in his arms, he tenderly brushed back her hair and ran a thumb across her lower lip. "Kaoru, I was serious when I told you that I want to make all your dreams come true. All of them," he emphasized. "Tell me."

Kaoru looked into his eyes in amazement. She could happily drown in the constant flood of love Kenshin bathed her in. She knew he could be trusted with all her secret fears and desires, and he really would try to make her dreams come true.

The future was an exciting prospect for two people so wholly in love.

End