DISCLAIMER: The idea and characters of Rurouni Kenshin are the property of the great Watsuki Nobuhiro. I am simply borrowing the characters to torture them in agony for this fic.

For The Sake of Imperfection

by Scilja

Chapter Seven - Perfect Imperfections

"Megumi-san? Megumi-san?"

The woman lying on the bed struggled to open heavy eyes and groaned at the slit of light that blared through.

"Megumi-san?"

She forced her eyes open. Hazy figments of color filled her vision then gradually cleared to an anxious but familiar face. "Tsubame-chan…"

"Megumi-san!" Relieved that the elder woman did not appear to have any serious injury, the crinkles of worry that lined Tsubame's face disappeared and the girl's youthful glow returned.

The doctor pushed herself into a sitting position, one hand cradling her head in hopes to soothe her throbbing temples, "I'm alright. What happened?"

Tsubame nervously fidgeted the fabric of her kimono, "You fainted, Megumi-san. You're at the clinic."

The room swirled, forcing Megumi to shut her eyes again, "How long have I been out?"

"For about fifteen minutes."

'Fifteen minutes,' she thought in disbelief. She reopened her eyes. Pleased that her perception returned, she faced the troubled girl. "Thank you Tsubame-chan for being here." She glimpsed across the room where a small wooden clock hung from the wall, "I wonder what made me unconscious for a long time."

Tsubame stilled. The expression on her face almost fearful. She hid her face beneath her bangs, her words were barely audible, "You…don't remember, Megumi-san?"

Megumi scrutinized the girl, "You know? Tsubame-chan?"

The young waitress fiddled with her thumbs and coughed lightly, "Actually, Megumi-san, it was something I said that made you faint."

"Oh?"

"A-ano, you see, um –"

"Oi! Kitsune!"

The conversation was interrupted by the dripping wet figure of Sagara Sanosuke.

"What happened to you, Rooster-head?" Megumi summoned whatever strength she had left to pull back the covers and slowly move her feet over the edge of the bed.

"Che, Kenshin made me go for a swim," Sano drawled, wiping off his damp brow with a nearby towel, "the idiot's gone over the hill."

Something inside Megumi snapped.

Sano.

Ken-san.

Over the hill.

"ITAI! ITAI! ITAIII! KITSUNE!"

Rekindled with vigor, Megumi surged forward and firmly took his ear between pinched fingers, "YOU CAN'T BE ANYMORE OF A ROOSTER-HEAD THAN THIS! How can you be so inconsiderate about Tanuki-chan! I am not against this same gender relationship, but when it's going to break hearts, that's something else!"

"Owowow! Kitsune, what the hell are you talking about!" Sano struggled vainly to free his ear which was numbing to a painful throb.

"Less crap and more sense, Rooster," Megumi seethed.

"How can I know what to say if I don't know what you're saying!"

Amidst the heated argument came a whispered, "Um, Sanosuke-san, I bumped into Megumi-san in the street. She fainted and I came back with her."

Sanosuke finally jerked out of Megumi's hold to clutch his stomach in heaps of guffaws, "Megitsune? You? Fainted?" He erupted into a fit of laughter.

Megumi shot a fierce glower his way, "Shut it, you idiot."

His hand slapped against his thigh in hilarity, "Whoo! What could have set the great almighty Kitsune to drop dead!"

Tsubame's head bowed lower, "B-because Sanosuke-san and Kenshin-san were being intimate."

The loud laughter immediately ceased to a dead silence only to be followed by an explosion that shook the roof of the clinic.

"WHAT!" His entire body trembled with rage. Never had Sanosuke appeared more dismayed. His face became flustered with a tint of red. He blinked dumbfoundedly, "Where did you get that idea?"

"Oh my, did I come at a wrong time?"

Tsubame jerked up from cowering at the enraged figure of the ex-Sekihoutai, "Tae-san!"

Tae stepped into the clinic room and eyed the occupants warily. She was taken back at what she saw. Megumi looked ready to do serious bodily harm to a squirming Sansosuke. Nor had she ever seen her assistant's cheeks so red. The heavy tension in the air was hard to miss. "Tsubame-chan, I was looking for you. In fact, I was looking for you all. I was thinking we could all cheer Kaoru-chan up. She's had a rough week."

"Actually, that's not a bad idea. Perhaps Ken-san could enlighten us," Megumi snatched Sanosuke's sleeve as if to prevent him from escaping.

The group hurried to the Kamiya Dojo.

Wet footprints dampened the dry ground as he dragged his soaked and tired form through the yard. He patted his pocket for the hundredth time, making sure that his precious gift would not end up in another chase. He had hoped to be greeted by the glowing visage of the shihondai but the empty place proved him otherwise.

'Perhaps I will start dinner so Kaoru can have a good meal when she returns,' he mused.

The empty laundry basin leaning against the fence caught his attention. Had he forgotten to put it away in haste of the day's events? That was unlike him. He moved towards the basin to return it to its proper place.

FWIP.

"Orororo de gozaru!"

His footing was instantly lost to an upward pull that sent Kenshin dangling high from a rope tied to a tree branch.

How had he missed something like this?

Oh, yes. As usual, thinking of Kaoru somehow distorted his normally sharp senses.

But surely, this was a set-up.

Blood was beginning to rush to his head when a figure appeared at the doorway of the house.

"Kaoru-dono!"

To his surprise, he was not met with a smile from the raven-haired femme. She stood on the boardwalk with a stern glare that sent shivers down his spine. Kaoru was livid. If possible, her body would have emitted fire. She stamped down the steps and went right for her prey.

He cringed hearing his name chanted in low growls from her lips. Her indigo eyes flashed wildly with fury. Inwardly, he panicked and skimmed through the number of reasons to what could have sent Kaoru so enraged.

"Himura Kenshin."

The harsh, grating tone pricked against the back of his neck.

"Damn you."

She roughly pulled the front of his gi forward so their faces almost touched. "Damn you!" Her hands tugged insistently on him, "Why do you do this, Kenshin!"

Her victim drew his brows together, "Kaoru-dono? What is it?"

A small sob escaped from her lips, "That's all I'll ever be, won't it, Kenshin? Dono?"

As much as he wanted to say something he found it impossible to speak from the tightness of his throat.

"I'm sick and tired of playing around. It's been a year. A very long year. And frankly," she yanked him hard, "I just can't wait any longer!"

Her small frame quivered and guilt welled inside him knowing that he caused her pain. He hated that he couldn't read her since she lowered her head and hid her face from him, "It should be no surprise that you know how I feel about you, Kenshin. Call me immature or childish but I wish to have a more meaningful relationship with you besides being the girl-next-door. I mean, I can't get any more obvious! But you don't tell me anything.

"I feel like a fool for acting the way I do. I can't cook, I can't do the laundry, I don't prance around in pristine clothes and I spill the tea ceremony. I get loud, temperamental, and aggressive.

"But you know what, Kenshin? I'd rather be a fighting, sweaty girl any day! I love the way I am." He couldn't have been more shocked when she pulled apart the front of her kimono and proudly cupped a linen-bound breast in each hand, "And if these aren't good enough for you, they're good enough for me!"

She clutched the folds of her kimono tightly and eased back so he could see her solemn expression, "Am I always going to be the tomboy girl and not a woman to you?"

He breathed her name. Kenshin watched dejectedly as her anger turned austere. She thumped her fists against his hard chest and leaned against him. "Dammit, Kenshin! Tell me…tell me to forget about you, that my affections are useless, that you don't feel the same way I do so I can stop making a fool of myself."

His heart crushed at her shaking form. Her spirit was dying, and he was to blame. God, he really was an idiot. The one person he swore to protect he ended up hurting most of all. Angry at himself for what he had put her through, he wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around her and crush her to him, kissing her with all the pent-up passion he restrained for months.

Tentatively, he reached out to her, "Kaoru –"

"Don't get too close to Kenshin-san, Kaoru-chan!"

The rumbling of feet alerted the couple of company dashing into the yard. Tae was first to reach the two with her brows furrowed, "Kaoru-chan, Kenshin-san isn't the man you think he is!"

Kaoru's hasty back-step sent Kenshin reeling in his upside down position, "Everyone! Tae-san!"

The Akabeko's charge rushed towards her friend and gripped her shoulders, "Oh, Kaoru-chan! I hate to be the one to tell you the truth but Kenshin-san isn't looking for a feminine partner!"

Kaoru looked from Tae to the other three people behind her, "Tae-san, what are you saying?"

Tae's grip tightened, her expression remorseful, "I mean, Kaoru-chan, that Kenshin-san prefers men than women."

A pitchy "ORO!" exclaimed in the background.

Kaoru gawped at Tae and hurriedly steadied herself when something barreled against her legs. Tsubame clung tightly to the skirt of her kimono and raised dismal brown eyes, "It's true, Kaoru-san! I was so afraid to tell you because I didn't like seeing you sad but I was walking the other day and saw Himura-san and Sagara-san being really close. Sagara-san was telling Himura-san how much he liked him and Himura-san was saying how much he loved him!"

Deftly wanting to salvage his soiled reputation and masculinity, Sanosuke cursed loudly, "I'm an all straight guy! That ain't true, I swear it! I prefer breasts! Watch!" He nimbly pulled the unsuspecting Megumi into his arms, caressed her breasts and gave her a loud smack on the lips. It wasn't long before Sano was thrown halfway across the yard while Megumi rinsed and gargled at a nearby well.

Tae eyed the gangster carefully, "Are you saying Tsubame-chan lied, Sagara-san?"

He swiftly redeemed himself into a firm stance and huffed, "We were exchanging words of…of love…but it isn't in the way you think!"

Wiping her lips, Megumi arched a brow and scoffed, "How else is it going to prove anything!"

Sanosuke shut his mouth when he realized he was about to reveal Kenshin's surprise to Kaoru. It was worse than the predicament of life and death. His very own masculinity was on the line. He had little choice in the matter and merely turned to the red-head for a sign. "Dammit," he spat.

"So my efforts were useless."

All turned to the kenjutsu instructor, her visage devoid of any emotion.

"I was after something that could never be."

She turned on her heel, anger blazing her eyes, "That explains a lot, Kenshin."

He struggled to regain some redemption, "K-Kaoru-dono! It isn't –"

"Why couldn't you have just told me? I have never been so humiliated in my life!" she raked her fingers through her hair as if punishing the dark strands. Her chest heaved in irregular breaths; eyes glistened with unshed tears as a hand curled over her heart in agony. She whispered painfully, "I'm so stupid."

That was it.

Kenshin mustered enough strength to start the rope swinging. His body arced to and fro until he was far enough to reach a surprised Kaoru and enclose his arms around her. She gasped as she was lifted off the ground and swung with him.

"Kaoru-dono, I –"

She squirmed in his grip, "Oh no, Kenshin, I've given you enough chances. I am not staying around to get a wrinkle over this!"

He gently set her feet on the ground. She took that moment to turn around in his arms and was taken back to see him back on his feet, the rope cast aside. She looked at his face and froze. What took her away were the swirling emotions that lay in his eyes. "Kaoru-dono, you're right. It's time to be honest about this, de gozaru. I was with Sano," he halted any words from her with two fingers on her lips, "but I assure you that I do not partake in men. Forgive my slowness for making you wait. Don't ever regret what you have done. In fact, I find your wicked streak thrilling," he smiled so devilishly that she blushed.

With the barriers between them lowered, he lifted her small hand and ran his lips along her knuckles, "My lady, Kaoru, I did not want to rush you into anything, which was why I was not as forward. But know this, that on countless nights you fill my dreams, and on many mornings you fill my heart and mind. I take each day to learn a little more about you."

He stroked her cheek affectionately, "I admire the woman you are, Kaoru. I know you don't like wearing tight, constricting clothing. I find you more beautiful when you do kenjutsu than a tea ceremony. Cooking is trivial; it is not going to feed my heart. You give and you don't expect anything in return. Everything you do is selfless. You exceed where many women don't and that is what I love. Strength in both mind and soul, that is what makes a true woman."

He cocked his head to the side at her flushing face, "I hoped that you wouldn't have to go through such a hard time, koishii. For the past few days, I have been preparing for a special night for Tanabata. Sano was merely helping me, which explains why we may have been acting a bit…odd," he winked at Tsubame who flushed instantly.

"Kaoru," he reclaimed her hand and cradled it in his own with endearing gentleness, "would you do me the honor of spending Tanabata with me tomorrow night?" He raised his eyes to level with hers.

"Humph, you've got a lot of making up to do, Kenshin," she broke off eye contact and crossed her arms. Then she shocked him with a dazzling smile and dove into his open arms, "But yes, yes! I would love to, Kenshin!"

Friends looked on happily as Yahiko opened the door from the house and smirked, "It's about damn time."

Tanabata became one of the highest moments in Kenshin's life. The reason for this was now gleefully tugging the sleeve of his gi and nudging him towards a stage play. He reveled in the way Kaoru's eyes glimmered at the actors hidden behind masks and brilliant costumes. The festival was not what made the night special, it was her presence.

All walls were broken down during the hours prior to Tanabata. They went long into the night simply talking of the past, present, and future. The Kyoto incident, much to Kenshin's relief, was dealt with, and Kaoru gave him a tearful understanding. And since they already shared a very tight bond of friendship of great extent, it was not hard to get a jump start into their relationship. In fact, with all the flaring displays of affection it was no wonder Yahiko practically begged to move out of the house.

Light from the fireworks cascaded down on her rosy cheeks as she laughed in delight at a particularly amusing scene. If anything, Kaoru glowed. And unlike her usual pastel colored kimonos, the deep red she wore tonight accentuated her skin. The navy obi drew attention to her eyes and her hair was dressed with a jeweled flower by yours truly, to which he received a series of kisses for a reward. The sapphire earrings that she adorned took him away. When asked about it, she merely smiled and said that it was a gift.

This was Kaoru at best. He, himself, did not prefer to look at her face covered by powders and paints. He wanted to see her blush readily and worship the golden hints that no foundation could have done. He looked forward to watching her in swordplay. Call him out of the ordinary, but seeing Kaoru worked up in strikes and swings drew more appeal to him than anything else. After all, it gave an enticing view of her strong and curvaceous form.

His old gi was finally discarded and replaced with a navy one. Much to Sano's chagrin, he did not put his hair into a high ponytail in deference to the dilemma it might stir up. In any case, from the reaction Kaoru had given him for the new apparel, Kenshin wondered why he didn't change in the first place. Together in dark shades, they made a comely pair. Still, that did not deter Kenshin from driving away wolfish eyes off his lady in red.

The town was decorated colorfully with a rainbow of streamers, lanterns, and painted artworks. Liveliness of laughter and merriment filled the atmosphere along the brightly scattered lights. The aroma of foods enticed people everywhere while vendors called over men to impress their dates. The night was young.

Having been walking around for quite a while, they came to rest on a stone bench situated near the stage play.

"Ne, Kenshin, you sure you don't want some?"

Kenshin chuckled and wrapped his arm around her waist to draw her closer while Kaoru licked her lips at what little taste left behind from the kabobs she nibbled, "Ah, I think I've had enough for tonight."

She moved to rest against the hollow of his neck, "Your loss, koibito."

She squeaked when Kenshin turned her to face him and leaned forwards, a sly grin on his lips as he husked, "What makes you think I don't have a way of getting some of my own?" His lips came down on hers and his tongue took on devouring her mouth.

When they pulled apart, Kaoru laughed softly at his mischief and twirled loose red tresses around her fingers, "I do believe, sir, that you have me at your mercy."

A feral smile crossed his features, "That's how it should be."

Their mouths neared for another kiss but were halted by loud coughs.

"Hmph, Battousai, take those hormones down a notch before it sickens me."

Stunned faces of Kaoru and Kenshin landed on the figure standing a few feet away, "Saitoh!"

"I'd be glad to know if I interrupted something," he flicked ashes off his cigarette.

Kenshin helped Kaoru up from the bench. "That's fine, Saitoh, we just finished eating," Kaoru gave a none-too-innocent grin then yelped before casting narrowed eyes at a nonchalant Kenshin.

Saitoh ignored the act and puffed a smoke into the crisp night air, "Tanuki, I must say I am impressed that you finally got a hold of Battousai. I was doubtful if he would be on the other side of the sexuality border."

Kenshin groaned, 'Why does everyone think that?'

Kaoru tilt her chin defiantly at the cop. Kenshin couldn't have been more proud of his spitfire. "Kenshin was being a gentleman despite the time being and I appreciate him more for it."

They shared a small smile as he interlaced her fingers with his, to which Saitoh rolled his eyes and muttered a gruff "ahou" beneath his breath.

"Saitoh," Kenshin tilt his head to the side, "are you just going to stand there and stare all night?" That jib pleased Kaoru immensely for he felt her body tense as she tried hard to contain her laughter.

"Battousai, how droll, but I do have a life aside from chasing idiots around. I'm here with Tokio."

Kaoru blinked, "Tokio?"

Kenshin moved his head next to her ear, "Tokio is Saitoh's wife."

Her face turned deadpan and she did not bother to hide her shock. Exchanging glances from Kenshin and Saitoh, she gaped, "Wife! There is actually a woman who can stand you?"

The policeman sneered, "Nice quip, Tanuki."

In a few seconds, a small woman appeared and wrapped her arm around Saitoh's, "Hajime, did you get the wish papers?"

Ex-Shinsen-gumi's third captain produced four leaflets in his gloved hand to which Tokio smiled gratefully. Upon the sight of Kenshin, she exclaimed, "Himura-san! It's good to see you again!"

The pair stood and Kenshin moved to greet the petite woman, "Tokio-dono, a pleasure to see you," he bowed lightly.

"Saitoh-san," Kaoru said.

Tokio clapped happily, "And you must be Kamiya-san! Oh, it is so good to meet you!" Her hands went to clasp Kaoru's and squeezed, "Am I to guess that you are here with Himura-san?"

Kaoru smiled at the irony of the woman's personality versus Saitoh's. Opposites do attract. "You guessed right, Saitoh-san."

"Call me Tokio, dear, sometimes being attached to the Saitoh name can give people the creeps." Kaoru laughed while Saitoh huffed. "Finally, Himura-san! You two make a dashing couple. Don't let this one get away!"

Kenshin rested an arm around Kaoru's waist, "I don't ever intend to, Tokio-dono."

"Ah! Before I forget, did you two write down your wishes on the bamboo tree yet?"

The pair shook their heads.

"Alright," she snatched two slips of paper from Saitoh's hand and handed it to them. "It's tradition! Here, just post it on the bamboo tree in the town circle when you're done."

"Thank you, Tokio-san," Kaoru replied. It was a wonder that there was at least one Saitoh name she could get close to.

Tokio laid a hand tenderly on her partner's elbow, "Come, darling, it's not too late to watch the parade. Will you be joining us too, Himura-san? Kamiya-san?"

Kaoru was about to open her mouth but Kenshin interjected, "Thank you, Tokio-dono, but we have to be going soon."

Saitoh had the nerve to smirk, "Behave yourselves," Tokio bid them a farewell and they left towards the parade.

When their figures were lost in the crowd, Kenshin heard Kaoru whisper, "Tokio-san is so different from Saitoh but they compliment each other very well, she glanced upwards to the sky as if in contemplation, "miracles do happen."

He chuckled at her thoughts, "Would it do any more surprise if I told you they have sons, too?"

Kaoru whipped her head to face him, "Sons! As in plural?"

"Two of them, I believe, and one along the way," Kenshin replied casually.

"Tokio-san is pregnant?" she almost felt dazed from the incessant astonishments. One could only take so many surprises at once. "That's something else…" Her words trailed off to give him her full attention, "So what is this somewhere we have to be, Kenshin?"

His response was a wily grin, "Care to go for a walk?"

"Kenshin!" She swiftly dodged a low bending branch. "Kenshin!" Kaoru sputtered from the leaves that ran across her face as he further led them through thick bushes and lissome trees. "Where are we going?"

He glanced back to give her a reassuring smile, "Almost there, Kaoru."

A few more rustling of leaves later, Kenshin made an abrupt stop that nearly let Kaoru collide against his back if it were not for the gentle hold he made to steady her.

"Whew!" Kaoru exhaled, picking stray leaves off her kimono, "Kenshin, as much fun as this was, I'd like to know where we are going before we move any further." She let out a squeal and frantically wove her arms around his neck when she was suddenly picked off the ground.

"We can rest here, Kaoru."

She finally took a good look at her surroundings and was awed at the hidden paradise Kenshin had led them to. Wild flowers bloomed about, the moonbeams reflected off their white and purple hues that made the scene glitter of silver and velvet waves. Fireflies welcomed them in flickering shimmers to a white gazebo.

By the time she realized it, Kenshin had carried her to the gazebo and they sat together on the bench.

He grasped her hand and caressed it lightly, "Do you like it?"

That prompted a laugh from Kaoru who wove her hands in his hair and touched their foreheads together, "You are one cunning man, Himura Kenshin," she pecked his cheeks, "and I don't just like it, I love it." She came into his embrace, "You make me so happy."

He released her then. Curious at his actions, she watched him wordlessly as he seated her on a bench. Her eyes widened when he moved before her and kneeled on his knee.

"Will you give me the honor of making you happy for the rest of your life, Kaoru?"

In his hand, he held the most beautiful sapphire ring. The moon seemed to hit the jewel in just the right places and it glowed brilliantly before her. Her whole body went taut and her heart beat faster than it ever had. Before her, Kenshin had never looked to wonderful. His hair a fiery glow in the night and his eyes held an intensity of never-ending blue. It was a beautiful sight.

Kaoru got up and bent down to be on same level with him. Tearfully, she stroked his scarred cheek and replied softly, "I was thinking forever, Kenshin." Laughter escaped her when she was crushed against his body and was spun around in circles.

During their spin, two slips of paper flitted to the side. Kaoru looked at them in realization, "Kenshin, our wishes! It's almost midnight. The bamboo tree will be taken soon!"

Holding her close so their heartbeats melded together, Kenshin pressed a light kiss on her lips, "Kaoru, my wish already came true."

END.