Author's Note: Here's an idea I had of how Kenshin could prepare to ask for Kaoru's hand in marriage and I saw that in order to do that he had a need to put his past to rest. Also in ep 62 when he visited Tomoe's grave, he said that he's come again so I had another idea and combined them to come up with this. After seeing the OVA Reflections I was both enchanted and disappointed as it seemed to leave so many holes in the story, but I guess as fanfiction writers we can fill those blanks, ne? As per usual, I don't own Rurouni Kenshin it is the property of Fuji Television Inc., Jump Comics and the creation of Nobuhiro Watsuki.
AS THE FUTURE AWAITS
PROLOGUE—COMMEMORATION
The early spring sun sent its promise of warmth down on the Kamiya dojo and brought the inhabitants who were weary of winter's chill out to the courtyard to savor its rays. Kamiya Kaoru, the Assistant Master of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu was instructing her pupil, Myojin Yahiko in the style of the Sword that Protects, her sweet timbered voice tempered with steel.
"You're not following through with enough force, Yahiko. And you're allowing for me to interpret and retaliate to your attack too easily," Kaoru directed. "You need to keep yourself on the offensive but also you need to protect your weak points from your opponent."
Yahiko growled irritably, "I know, I know, buso. You keep jabbering at me about things that I already know. Maybe it's because you like to hear yourself chatter like a squirrel or in your case a tanuki."
Kaoru bristled at the jibe. Her sapphire eyes narrowed she countered, "Listen, Yahiko-CHAN you need to tone down your attitude. At least until you can get a clean shot at me, without getting knocked on your bottom, you need to keep that fresh mouth shut."
"Yeah, yeah." The ink haired former pickpocket resumed his stance to try again. "And don't call me CHAN!"
Himura Kenshin the former legendary Hitokiri Battousai was busy with his daily chore, scrubbing the laundry and as usual watched the interaction between teacher and erstwhile student with some amusement. He deeply admired both parties for separate reasons, Yahiko's feisty spirit and determination had appealed to his own swordsman's spirit and reminded him of his adolescent days with the Ishin Shishi during the Revolution. And the feeling that filled his heart when he gazed at the surly boy samurai's beautiful sensei was all consuming, as his violet eyes grew soft. Kamiya Kaoru was the most magnificent woman he had ever known, a delightful mixture of boldness and beauty that sent his mind reeling whenever she came into his view. Her courage was what most impressed him about the raven haired kendo assistant master when he first met her as he wandered into Tokyo, his most recent stop on a ten year sojourn seeking atonement for his bloody past. He had felt an affinity for she was alone as he had always felt he was, both parents having perished and leaving their lovely 17 year old daughter to fend for herself by keeping the dojo going. Kenshin also had to admit that it was that loneliness Kaoru kept concealed by a show of fiery determination that drew him to her as well, and he admitted only recently to himself the vast tenderness he felt for the girl who nearly waylaid him in an alley over a year ago.
Kenshin continued scrubbing the fabric of a training gi against the washboard as his musings continued. So much had happened in the past year, events and incidents that had a double purpose, that both conspired to destroy the new life he was forging for himself with these precious people and yet at the same time drew them all even closer. They were his family, his loved ones who stood by him and surrounded him, cocooning him in their protection as they all banded together to hold the wolves of his past and those who wished to destroy the peaceful Meiji government at bay. They all fought Makoto Shishio, the madman whose quarry was Japan with him, and stood by his side in other battles as well, with Shougo Amakusa, and Rensui the Feng Shui master who nearly took Kaoru's life. And those who sought revenge for whom he slaughtered, like Saito the former leader of the third Shinsengumi and Enishi, his dead wife's younger brother. Made insane by grief, the latter planned his meticulous course of revenge that had Kenshin believing first that he had slain Kaoru and then took her hostage as he demanded a showdown. He fought and was nearly defeated by the enraged man who almost completed his jinchuu save for Kaoru shielding her Battousai with her body. Enishi's grief-crazed mind saw in Kaoru his dearly departed sister Tomoe and thus spared Kenshin. Another one of many times this past year that he owed his very life to the special woman who he knew he'd give his life for in the twinkling of an eye and so he vowed with everything in him to guard her until his death.
As Kenshin scoured the clothes and he continued to furtively watch her another thing was apparent to him that he had noticed in the passing year was Kaoru's blossoming into the full flower of womanhood. She now had a lushness to her body that even practicing daily katas and sword styles could not diminish. She was still youthful and innocent but with that came the full blown velvet mystery of woman that he, as a nearly thirty year old man recognized and yearned for. Her hands were callused from holding and wielding her bokken but they remained delicate and often when they strolled along the marketplace, Kenshin found himself longing to take and hold them as they fit perfectly in his. The bloom on her cheeks and sparkle in her eyes added to a picture that was a portrait of perfection, at least to him. The times Yahiko called her ugly were getting more and more annoying to him and of late Kenshin found himself biting his tongue to avoid delivering a severe reprimand that would reveal his true feelings.
The former Battousai was shaken from his reverie by a well-placed fist on his head courtesy of Sagara Sanosuke, the former fighter-for-hire who became his best friend.
"Hey Kenshin, how's about coming with me to the gaming house? I think my luck'll change if you come with me," he suggested, a fishbone planted firmly between his teeth.
Kenshin kept scrubbing as he replied, "It didn't the last time I came with you. As you remember, my dice rolls weren't any better than yours."
Undaunted his friend said, "Aw come on." The leanly muscled Sano sat on the step next to Kenshin as he continued, "Besides, I bet you could use a break to get away from Jou-chan and the kid." He gestured to the bickering duo on the opposite side of the courtyard.
Kenshin rinsed out the yukata that he recognized as Kaoru's and wrung it out for hanging. He smiled his benign rurouni smile as he answered, "I'm not in need of a break from Kaoru-dono and Yahiko but I do have an errand to run so I'll have to decline your invitation, Sano."
Sano tried again, "But Kenshin it's spring and in the spring a young man's fancy turns to thoughts of fattening his purse. Not that yours needs fattening, eh?" He smirked knowingly, as he was fully aware of the largesse that had recently come into Kenshin's possession.
Kenshin sighed, "Sano, I have no intention of taking any of the funds Yamagata-san gave me and wasting them on games of chance, not when I have other plans for them." He rose to carry the washtub over to the waste well and dumped it.
"Other plans?" Sano said, his interest piqued. He got to his feet to confront the diminutive swordsman. "So are you gonna keep me in the dark about it?"
Kenshin finished emptying the washtub and rinsing it, placed it upside down for the next use. He then took the scrubber and propped it beside. He said laconically, "If you are implying that I gamble with the money, you can forget it."
Sano looked innocently at his friend. "Why Kenshin my friend, why would I do that?"
The former hitokiri pinned him with a steady amethyst gaze that spoke volumes. Sano then said sheepishly, "Well a little used for fun wouldn't be bad. What are your plans for it anyway, do they have to do with this secret errand you need to run today?"
"It's not a secret from you, that it is not. Actually, if you'd like to come with me, I'd like to have you along." Kenshin said matter-of-factly. "So if you want to wait outside for me, I'll join you momentarily."
"Okay, sure. I'll go wait for you outside." He sauntered out the dojo gate and Kenshin made his way over to the sparring partners as they battled.
Kaoru caught sight of Kenshin's approach and a thrill went through her as always. She stopped and wiped the perspiration from her forehead with the sleeve of her gi. "Okay Yahiko, take a break. Then I want you to do a thousand strokes before dinner.
"Aw gee Kaoru, do I hafta?" the boy protested.
Kaoru nodded, a firm tilt to her chin. "Yes, you do. Now get going."
Yahiko muttered something under his breath but began his strokes as the former hitokiri came forward.
Kenshin smiled warmly at the pretty sensei. "Kaoru-dono, forgive me for interrupting."
She returned the smile with a slight blush staining her ivory cheeks as his presence always seemed to do. "That's quite alright, Kenshin. Is there something on your mind?"
Kenshin found himself staring into the sapphire pools of the eyes that made his heart beat faster and almost forgot himself as she demurely turned away, her blush deepening at his bemused perusal. He shook his head to clear it as he replied, "Ahh, yes. I wanted to tell you that I'm going on an errand but will be back in time to prepare dinner."
Kaoru's eyes widened with a plea. "Oh Kenshin, couldn't I go with you? I would love to get out for a while."
"Yeah Kenshin. Why don't you take buso with you and cut me a break," Yahiko called from where he was taking his strokes but his eyes widened at the disapproving frown on the face of the man he most admired.
Kenshin ignored Yahiko and shook his head. "I'm afraid not, Kaoru-dono, any other time I'd be honored to have you accompany me but this errand I must do alone." He noticed the shadow pass her eyes and apologized, "I'm sorry, Kaoru-dono, that I am." His smile faded as his eyes filled with concern that he may have hurt her feelings.
Kaoru tried to hide the pang of disappointment in her as she said brightly. "Oh that's alright, Kenshin. I wanted to stop by the bookstore at the market by Tae's anyway." She flashed him a brilliant smile to offset the tense atmosphere between them and as usual it worked its magic on Kenshin and he was dazzled.
"Kaoru-dono," he began a tad huskily. "We can go for a walk together tomorrow if you want, that we can."
"You don't have to make it up to me, Kenshin. Go on your errand and don't worry about me." She turned and headed into the dojo hall as Yahiko came up to Kenshin who was watching Kaoru leave, his eyes trained on the petite kendo instructor.
He smirked as he said slyly, "It's okay Kenshin. Who wants a tanuki along with then when they have to take care of business."
Kenshin whirled around and his expression halted the boy's insinuation. His chocolate eyes were like saucers as he saw violet with a gold sheen in the swordsman's orbs as he stated flatly, "I do not appreciate your implications nor your continued disrespect of your sensei."
Yahiko was immediately cowed. "I-I'm sorry Kenshin, I didn't mean to--," but Kenshin held his hand up.
"I'm sure you are, Yahiko. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to be going." He strode to the gate and let himself out as the youth stood there watching.
The main business area was situated near the government center and at mid afternoon was teeming with activity, as was the case every weekday. The walkways were crowded as the citizenry of Japan's capital milled about attending to their business and yet, upon viewing the figures of Sano and Kenshin, the throng parted like the Red Sea leaving whispers in their wake. His carrying his sakabatou at a time when the carrying of all swords was illegal did nothing to alleviate their fears or whispers.
"Look, the red hair and the cross-shaped scar! You know who that is."
"Isn't that the legendary Battousai?"
"Uh-huh. And that's Zanza with him, the fighter for hire."
"I wonder what they're doing here? I heard that they live down at the Kamiya Dojo by the river."
"Humph, Kamiya-san must be rolling in his grave to know that his daughter is harboring a known murderer and a ruffian like Zanza."
"I heard that they all thwarted an attempt to overthrow the government in Kyoto a year ago after Lord Okubo's assassination."
"Busybodies," Sano snorted as the whispers met his ears. "They have nothing better to do."
Kenshin was silent as he picked his way through the crowd with only his destination in mind. He had learned at an early age to tune out the whispers and comments of others as he trod the path of a hitokiri then as a rurouni, and the murmurs of the street crowd did not effect him. He just kept walking until he reached a rather elegant storefront that was the showcase for a jewelry store.
Sano gazed at the store sign Watanabe Tatsu Jewels and inquired, "Hey Kenshin, what are ya stopping here for? Are you gonna buy some jewelry?"
Kenshin just opened the door and entered the shop where a finely dressed man with salt and pepper hair smiled and greeted him. "Ah Himura-san, it's good to see you again. I have your purchase ready for you. If you'll be so kind to take a seat, I'll bring it out to you."
"Thank you, Watanabe-san." He smiled and sat down in a plush western style chair.
Watanabe bowed then turned and went to the back of the store as Kenshin sat waiting patiently. Sanosuke, however had enough mystery for the day.
"Okay, Kenshin, out with it," Sano demanded. "You've said nothing since we left the dojo and now here we are. What are you doing here in a jewelry store?"
At those words Watanabe reentered the room carrying a small royal blue velvet box. He came over to the two men as Kenshin rose to his feet and handed the box to the titian haired samurai. He took the box and cracked it open, his eyes widening in appreciation and then approval.
Watanabe smiled proudly as he remarked, "It's as fine a piece as I ever carried in the twenty years I've been a jewel merchant."
Sano leaned over Kenshin's shoulder and his umber eyes widened as he viewed the contents of the velvet box. There nestled on a bed of white satin was a beautiful sapphire ring, flanked on both sides by twin amethysts.
He let out a long low whistle. "Wow, that's some ring, Kenshin."
Kenshin nodded, pleased. "It is exquisite, Watanabe-san. I am most grateful."
Watanabe smiled, "It's my pleasure, Himura-san. Yamagata-sama has been a favored customer for years, it's my honor to assist an esteemed colleague of his."
Kenshin smiled and bowed. "I am humbled by your words and am very pleased." He reached into his gi and withdrew a purse where he took out currency amounting to 2000 yen and handed it to the merchant as Sanosuke's eyes popped out in disbelief.
"Arigatou Himura-san. Please feel free to come back again." The merchant bowed respectfully as Kenshin and Sano turned and departed.
Once outside Sano would not be put off any longer. He pulled Kenshin aside and demanded, "Okay, Himura out with it. Why are you buying a ring?"
Kenshin smiled a genuinely joyful smile. "I plan to present it to Kaoru when I ask her to be my wife."
Sanosuke did a double take as he absorbed the news. "When did you decide to do that?"
Kenshin's smile faded as he replied, "I began to think about it after the episode with Enishi. I nearly lost her and after I rescued her I realized I had to make her permanently mine. So I contacted Yamagata and he insisted on giving me the funds in payment for what I did to assist the government and so I began to make plans."
"Plans?"
Kenshin nodded choosing not to divulge any more information as they began the journey back to the dojo. He was silent as they began walking in the late afternoon sun.
Sano grinned widely as he said, "Well, well it's about time! I was wondering when you and Jou-chan were gonna stop beating around the bush. So when do you plan to pop the question?"
Kenshin replied serenely, "I have a very special way I intend to do it. But first we are to take a journey, that we will. And Sano--"
"Yeah?"
"I don't want you to tell anyone about this. I'm trusting you to keep my confidence in this." He punctuated the statement with a steely glare from his gold-tinted violet orbs.
Sanosuke saw the Battousai lurking beneath the surface of his friend's calm demeanor and the implication from his glare. He nodded in silent understanding.
"Good, let's head back."
The rest of the jaunt back home was for the most part, wordless. But each man was wrapped in his individual thoughts as the sun set and they got closer to the dojo. Night had fallen when finally they arrived at the gate and stepped in.
"Tadaima," Kenshin called out.
Kaoru came around the corner clad in a lavender kimono with white and pink sakura leaves sprinkled liberally on the edge and in a 45 degree angle to the pink pin striped obi. Her raven hair was held back by a pink ribbon giving her an ethereal innocence that had Kenshin enchanted Kirei he said to himself as she smiled a welcome.
"Konban wa, Kenshin. I hope your errand went well." She slightly arched a fine ebony brow.
He smiled back innocently. "Genki desu." He looked toward the kitchen and asked, "Have you begun cooking dinner, Kaoru-dono?"
She opened her mouth to reply but Yahiko who joined them scoffed, "Not yet, but she was gonna just before you came home, Kenshin. So our stomachs are saved from poisoning."
Kaoru's eyes narrowed dangerously and she opened her mouth to retort but Kenshin intervened, "Maa, maa. I'll go and prepare dinner, Kaoru-dono so just relax and it will be ready shortly." He headed toward the kitchen as both Kaoru and Yahiko stared meaningfully at Sanosuke.
"All right Sano, out with it. Where did Kenshin and you go on this errand?" Yahiko demanded.
"Yes Sanosuke, where did the two of you go?" Kaoru wanted to know, her eyes boring into him.
The street fighter remembered the veiled threat in the former manslayer's eyes as he made his promise and so being the man of self-preservation he was he shrugged indifferently. "No place special. Just had to check something out."
"Oh yeah? And what did you guys have to 'check out' huh? A geisha house maybe?" the spiked haired youth leered and snickered as the raven haired girl scowled. Since reaching the beginnings of puberty, Yahiko had become more curious of male/female relations to the brink of being a hentai. She landed a box to his ear as he howled protest, "Sheesh, buso why'd you hit me so hard?"
"Yahiko, stop your prying. If Kenshin and Sano want to tell us where they went, they will. So let's just drop it, okay?" Kaoru directed.
"Yeah I guess they wouldn't want to kiss and tell, eh Sano?" Yahiko said with a wink and a nudge. "Especially Kenshin, I mean he's a man with needs."
Sano saw the storm clouds forming in the midnight orbs of the assistant master of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu and he said hastily, "You're wrong, Yahiko. Whattya say we go and help Kenshin, ne? Excuse us, Jou-chan." They both headed to the kitchen while Kaoru watched suspiciously.
Dinner was served presently and after their customary feeding frenzy both Sanosuke and Yahiko retired to their respective rooms, leaving Kenshin and Kaoru enjoying some tea in the parlor. Kaoru was holding a slim volume that caught Kenshin's eye and putting his cup down he gestured to the tome.
"May I ask what that is, Kaoru-dono?"
Kaoru smiled as she replied, "It's a book I picked up today at the bookstore that I had ordered. It seems that it's quite popular and I finally had some extra money so I treated myself."
Kenshin smiled back. "I'm glad that you did that, Kaoru-dono. You deserve a treat every now and then, that you most certainly do. May I ask the kind of book it is?"
Kaoru lowered her head and a delicate blush tinted her ivory cheeks. "I-It's a book of poetry, Kenshin."
"Poetry?" He raised a flame brow in query.
She nodded demurely. "Uh-huh. It's the latest thing, translated western poetry. Tae introduced me to it and it really is so very beautiful."
He leaned forward, interested. "What are the poems about?"
Her blush deepened. "T-they're a type of poetry called 'sonnets'. They aren't long, about a page for each one." Kaoru opened the book and began reading.
But Kenshin's curiosity was piqued so he suggested, "Would you mind reading them to me, Kaoru-dono?"
Kaoru's sapphire eyes widened as she was amazed by the apparent depth of character that belonged to the man who once was the most feared manslayer of the Bakumatsu, Hitokiri Battousai. His violet eyes were expectant but then became shadowed as her hesitation was interpreted as a negative response. He sighed and said resignedly, "You don't have to read any of the poems to me, Kaoru-dono. Forgive me for asking." He made to rise and leave but her hand gently detained him and the touch between them was like always, electric.
"Oh no, Kenshin. Please don't leave. I-I was just afraid you think me…foolish." She slowly withdrew her hand, shocked by her own boldness.
Kenshin sat back down on his cushion as he gazed at Kaoru in understanding. His eyes radiated warmth as he said softly, "I would never consider anything that interested you foolish. Please read them to me, I'd really enjoy it, that I would." He smiled a genuine smile as his eyes crinkled, encouraging her.
"All right," Kaoru responded.
She opened the book and began to read in her softly mellifluent voice, words that were delicately wrought to paint vivid pictures in one's mind of love and she surreptitiously watched as Kenshin in turn studied her intently. She began reading the poetry of an Englishwoman named Elizabeth Barrett Browning, part of a collection called "Sonnets of the Portuguese." She read on until she came to a stanza that brought a blush to her cheeks.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, -I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! - and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
Kaoru lowered her head as she bit her pink lips, the enormity of emotion portrayed in the verse touching her deeply. She dared not glance at her companion for fear of Kenshin seeing the intensity of her feelings reflected in the ocean depths of her eyes.
Kenshin, in the meantime was as profoundly touched as Kaoru was yet he couldn't keep his eyes from drinking in the beauty of the girl-woman before him. His thoughts lingered on the delicate line of her jaw, the thick sooty lashes resting on her porcelain cheeks and the way the candlelight played on her raven tresses. His heart pounded like a timpani drum as the words of the sonnet encompassed him in their accuracy concerning his love for Kaoru.
She put the book down shakily as she drew an uneasy breath.
Always alert to her discomfort, Kenshin leaned forward, tender concern lining his even features. "Why did you stop reading, Kaoru-dono? The poems were beautiful, that they were." He reached for her hand.
Kaoru looked down at her grasped hand and she met the gentle amethyst gaze of the rurouni that shared her home and stole her heart. But fear of her feelings being unrequited or even worse that Kenshin would feel pity for her overrode the moment so she pulled away and said in a wavering voice, "I-I'm tired, Kenshin. So if you'll excuse me, Gomen nasai, Oyasuminasai." She jumped to her feet and made a hasty exit, leaving Kenshin both disappointed and perplexed.
"Oyasuminasai, Kaoru-dono," he said huskily to her departed form. Already missing her sweet presence, Kenshin sighed deeply and made to rise but saw the volume left on Kaoru's cushion and picked it up to peruse the pages. He turned the page and read the next poem by Lord Byron:
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impair'd the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
Kenshin smiled as he finished reading the verse, his mind dwelling on Lord Byron's eloquent depiction of the girl that just jettisoned. He reached in his sleeve and fingered the velvet box nestled within, his plans uppermost in his thoughts.
NEXT—SINGLE STEPS
Author's Note: the two poems are used by nature of the reference I did of the Meiji Era when western culture was making its way into Japanese culture and translated English classical poetry was all the rage.