Author's Note: YAY! LAST CHAPTER! Warning: Some Swearing! I hope you guys have enjoyed this. I've loved coming up with the different things. This is the longest chapter of the story. More like my normal length. I did this because there was so much detail and so much I wanted to put into the story. I think of all the chapters 5, 11, and 12 are my favorites. I hope you like it as well as I did writing it!

Some of you have asked what I will do when this story is completed. Well, to answer those questions, I will be continuing my Remembrances of August story, another Kaoru/ Kenshin story, along with the other RK characters. I have two chapters up as of now, but will continue after this one. I took a break from it for this one for two reasons, one: I was really busy and only could write one at a time at the end of the semester, and two: I was stuck. I have unstuck myself though I think.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ENJOY! And Don't Forget to Review!

Disclaimer: I do not own Kenshin, Christmas, or the song 12 Days of Christmas. I do own the idea to this story, 12 Days of Christmas though, and I do hope you enjoy reading it as much as I've liked writing it.

December 24

"Kaoru, Kaoru!" Misao whispered from where she stood at the end of her futon. 'Argh, why does she sleep so soundly!' Misao thought as she walked to the head of the futon. "Kaoru, Kaoru, it's time to get up. Come on." Misao said.

"Kenshin, no. I don't want to get up." Karou said, asleep, as she snuggled deeper into the covers.

"I'm not Kenshin, and I'm not your Mother either, but YOU have to get up!" Misao said, grabbing the blankets and whipping them off of Kaoru's body.

"Cold!" Kaoru yelled, sitting up still half asleep.

"I don't care, it's 10 o'clock and you have to get up."

"Misao." Kaoru groaned. "I don't have to now."

"Yes you do, we have to go help Kenshin and Hiko set up for the party. Megumi, Sano and Aoshi are already here. Come on Kaoru!" Misao said.

"OH CRAP!" Kaoru said, jumping out of bed. "Why didn't you get me up sooner!"

"I thought you were already up. Your alarm went off, and then it went silent, and I thought I heard water running in the shower." Misao said, heading for the door.

"No, I must have turned it off in my sleep or something because I didn't wake up. I don't know why you heard water." Kaoru said slipping a t-shirt and jeans on.

"Kaoru, can I keep my stuff in your room for the party tonight?" Megumi asked, coming to the door.

"Yeah, go ahead. We're coming back here?" Kaoru asked as she headed to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth.

"Yeah. It's easier that way. Sano, Aoshi and Kenshin will get ready there." Misao said, heading towards the kitchen.

:- - -:

"There you guys are! Wondered what happened to you." Kenshin said as they walked in to the practice hall of the dojo where the party would be held.

"Kaoru wouldn't wake up." Misao said.

"That's pretty normal." Kenshin said kiss Kaoru good morning on the cheek. "Ow, that hurt!" he said after she punched him in the stomach.

"You deserved after saying that. I usually wake up." Kaoru said, leaving the entry hall and heading for the practice hall. "Hello Hiko! How are you?" Kaoru asked the big man who was standing on a later, hanging a garland all the way around the room.

"Better if that Baka Deshi of mine would come back in here and continue to help me!" He yelled.

"Well, I can help you. What do you need done?" Kaoru asked going over to the ladder.

The dojo would be a Christmas wonderland for the party that night, in the courtyard there had been Christmas lights placed around the roof line, as well as in the bushes and around the porch posts. Wreaths with red and gold ribbon where hung at every window and every door. When you stepped into the entry hall, little candle votives lined the wall, illuminating the hallway, leading to the practice hall. The door to the practice hall was framed with a green holly garland, mistletoe hung in the center.

Inside the hall it glowed with the candles that sat on the tables, and Christmas lights that where hung around the room and on the huge tree that stood in the one corner. A buffet table was lined with a red and green plaid tablecloth on the far wall opposite the tree, tables placed at that end as well for those who wanted to sit and talk, covered with red and green tablecloths to match. The DJ would be on the same wall as the tree, but in the opposite corner, letting people hear the music all over the room, and people to dance in the center of the room. When the group was done they stood in the center and looked over everything that they had accomplished in just a few hours.

"We have to get going." Misao said, jumping out of the room.

"Misao's right. It's 3 o'clock and the party starts at 6. If the three of us want to get ready we got to get going." Megumi said. They said good-bye and went out to car to go back the Kamiya dojo.

:- - -:

"Kaoru! Where is your curling iron!" Misao yelled from the bathroom.

"It's underneath the sink!" Kaoru yelled from where she was in the kitchen, painting her nails and toenails a cheerful holiday red. "Why are you so calm Megumi?" Kaoru asked her friend, who was standing in the doorway to the living room, looking at the tree.

"Well, My shower is done. I did my hair while Misao took hers, I got my nails done yesterday. I was happy I didn't break any this morning. Some of us aren't as lucky to have naturally long nails like you." Megumi answered.

"I've been growing them out and shaping them for weeks. Several broke while I've been practicing. I'm just happy they grew back enough to look decent for tonight." Kaoru said from the table.

"Have you done your hair yet?" Megumi asked.

"No, would you do something with it?" Kaoru asked her friend.

"Sure. Any ideas?"

"On top of my head, masses and masses of curls!" Kaoru said.

"I'll go get the hot rollers." Megumi said, heading back to the bathroom.

"I hope this works." Kaoru said to herself. She was so nervous. "Hey guys, what do you think Kenshin will say when he sees me in my dress?" Kaoru asked as she went back the hall to where her friends where standing in the bathroom.

"Well, first his mouth will drop and he'll be speechless." Megumi said, checking the heat of the curlers

"Then he'll probably kiss you on the cheek, knowing Himura, and tell you how beautiful you look." Misao said, tucking and curl into the elaborate bun style she had decided on.

"Hm, okay." Kaoru responded, sitting in the chair Megumi had pulled into the bathroom to get a better angle of Kaoru's hair.

"Nervous?" Megumi asked as she started fixing her friends' hair.

"Very."

"It'll be fine. What do you think his gift is?" Misao asked.

"No clue. 12 Drummers Drumming. What could he do for that!" Kaoru said.

"Do you think he'll propose?" Megumi asked.

"WHAT!" Kaoru exclaimed.

"Well, you guys have been serious for two years, and you know that you'll be getting married after school." Megumi explained.

"I didn't even think of it. No, he won't propose. I mean, we've talked of marriage, but that would be a two to three year engagement. He's not that crazy." Kaoru said, her hands moving in front of her as she talked.

"I don't know Kaoru. Remember what the owner of the antique shop said?" Misao said, hair spraying her hair for the last time.

"Yes, but she didn't say what it was, she probably just meant overall."

"Okay. Whatever you say. Time for me to pull that dress on now I guess." Misao said leaving the bathroom.

"You'll look beautiful!" the other two called after her. After about ten minutes, Megumi started pulling out the hot rollers that she had put into Kaoru's hair. It was pulled into a ponytail with hairpins to hold in the curls.

"Were these your mother's pins?" Megumi asked as she place a few more in to hold the curls that were spilling down the back of Kaoru's head.

"A few of them. This one here was my great- grandmother's." Kaoru said pointing to a crystal and red stoned haircomb that Megumi had placed at the top of the curls. "She was a geisha before she met great- grandfather. This one," she said, pointing to a red and pearl pin shaped sakura blossom, "Kenshin gave me last year for my birthday. He found it at the Antique shop."

"Their beautiful."

"Thank you. I don't wear them often. Obviously. I love them though. Each given to me by someone special." Kaoru said looking into the mirror for the first time since her hair was completed. "Oh Megumi! It's great! I love it!"

"Your welcome, now, it's 5 o'clock, lets get our dresses on.

:- - -:

A half hour later, each of the girls where completely ready for the party. They stood in the front hall getting their wraps and purses, telling each other how pretty the other was.

"Misao! That dress is beautiful!" Kaoru said, coming into the hall and seeing Misao in her dress. The dress was black velvet, and trimmed in red satin. In the back there were red buttons, with a satin inlay to make the skirt fuller. She wore a simple strand of pearls and pearl drop earrings. "That dress is absolutely perfect for tonight!"

"What do you think Aoshi will say?"

"He'll be even more speechless than normal." Megumi said, coming into the hall with her own dress, a deep plum satin color to match her eyes. It was a simple a-line style that had four lines pearls at the very top that went all the way around to the back.

"Megumi! Oh what a great dress. We had some real luck this year!" Misao said, pulling on her velvet half jacket.

"I think Kaoru's is the best though. And the necklace Kenshin gave you is perfect!" Megumi said, giving Misao her black velvet clutch bag.

"I don't know about that guys. Thank you. When I saw dress I knew it would match pretty well, but I didn't know it would match this well."

"Your lucky you found that in the boutique!" Misao said.

"Really? I don't know. Not that unusual of a shop." Kaoru said.

"Yes, but the dress is." Megumi said.

Kaoru stood in front of the mirror they had in the hall and looked at her dress. It was a simple A-line dress that flared at the hips. It was a deep red in color, much like Misao's dress, red velvet buttons were in a line down to her waist, and from the top of her dress to just below the waist, small pearl beads went from very heavy, to sporadic in placement. Once she had seen the dress in the store, she knew that it was the one she had to have. There was no other.

"It is pretty. I'm very happy I found it." Kaoru said to her friends as she placed a black velvet wrap around her shoulders and grabbed her black velvet bag with a red satin bow on the top.

"Ready?" Megumi asked.

"As ever." The other two answered.

:- - -:

The party was just getting started when they got to the house. The windows where filled with a warm glow and the cheerful holiday music could be heard from outside. The girls entered the door, and looked for Aoshi, Sano and Kenshin. The guys saw them first, and walked over. The three girls and three guys stood there staring at each other, speechless for a few minutes, the guys jaws, hanging down. The girls were astounded that Hiko had gotten all three into a tux.

Megumi had been sure that Sano would just wear his suit, but there he was, standing in front of her with a black tail tux, and a plum vest and bow tie to match. Sure his hair was still standing on end, but he was wearing a tux! It was amazing!

"Hey there Fox." He said with a smirk on his face.

"Your wearing a tux. Hiko can get you to wear one, but I can't! Oh!" Megumi ended, and flew into his arms.

"Actually, it was Kenshin. He beat my ass here in the dojo to get me to wear it. I was just gonna wear my suit and Christmas tie."

"Thank you Kenshin!" Megumi said, launching herself at the small red head, who was still staring at Kaoru, and almost fell to the floor when Megumi hugged him.

"Your welcome Megumi." Kenshin said, showing a little bit of a smile.

"Lets leave them alone." Aoshi said.

"Yeah. Kaoru, make sure Kenshin doesn't die of a heart attack though!" Misao said as they left. She was still holding onto Aoshi's arm. She knew there wouldn't be a problem getting him into a tux, he just looked to delicious to her, the green vest and bow tie for the Christmas colors. But they matched his eyes so wonderfully! She just hugged his arm tighter.

"You look very handsome Kenshin." Kaoru said, kissing his cheek, and taking his hand. Kenshin was still standing there in a tux with a deep red vest and tie, an astonished look on his face.

"Kaoru, you look, look, b-b-beautiful." Kenshin finally got out, squeezing her hand and kissing her gently. When he had first seen her he couldn't believe how beautiful she looked. She looked like a Christmas angel sent to him. She made him the happiest man on earth every other day, but he memorized everything about her tonight. Her smile, hair, twinkling eyes, how beautiful she looked. How nervous she was getting with his constant staring at her.

"Will you stop that?" Kaoru said finally, grabbing his hand, and going to say hi to Hiko.

:- - -:

After they had grabbed some punch, Kaoru took Kenshin up to Christmas tree. "I want you to open your Christmas gifts, okay?" Kaoru said to him, handing him the first one.

"Okay." Kenshin said, taking the first one from Kaoru. He unwrapped the present, which was in a long rectangle box. "What could this be?" Kenshin asked in feigned surprise, it was tradition, every Christmas or birthday, he would at least get a tie. This one was the one for this Christmas. The tie was decorated with little drummer boys and hollyall over it. "You never disappoint Kaoru, I love it." Kenshin said, kissing her on the cheek.

"I thought I would go with your theme for one present." Here's another one."

This box was a little bit larger, more squarish in shape and size. "Hm, this is interesting." Kenshin said, as he took the paper off of it. Inside was a red leather bound copy of the classic, Shogun. "Kaoru. This is, this is one of the first edition copies." Kenshin said, looking up in surprise.

"Our trusty little Sakura Antique's. Kaoru said, handing him the third box. "Another find there too."

"Very nice." Kenshin saidtaking the box. This one was a little bit larger, and much heavier than the other two gifts. He sat it down on the floor to open it, and when he lifted the lid and the tissue paper he saw two mahogany sword stands, inlayed with cherry wood of two samurai fighting on each stand. "Kaoru, these...these where the ones that I saw and wanted!" Kenshin said, looking up.

"I know, I little bird, rather, rooster told me." Kaoru said, looking at Megumi and Sano dancing to Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree.

"Well, damn. Thank you." Kenshin said, standing up and kissing her gently.

"There's more." Kaoru said, handing him a very long and narrow rectangular box.

"What in the world?" Kenshin asked as he took the box. In side though, he saw a ver elaborate, decorative sword sheath. It was a black onyx case with mother of pearl inlay of a Sakura Tree and falling blossoms. Around the top was woven red fabric that hung with red and white beads off the end. "Kaoru, this, this is beautiful." Kenshin said.

"I thought you might finally be able to put the sword that has no sheath out now. Keep the sword safe, heal it, along with your self and your family's pass." Kaour answered.

"Have I told you lately that I love you?"

"No, not within the last ten minutes I don't think." Kaoru said smiling. "And this, the last one." Kaoru said, handing him the smallest box, a simple white tissue wrapping with a red bow on it.

"Hm, interesting." Kenshin said as he took it. Inside where cufflinks. Simple, red stoned cufflinks with mother of pearl and gold trim, in the center, was placed a little jasmine flower cluster. "Here, hold this." Kenshin said, handing Kaoru the box. He took the cufflinks he had on off, and replaced them with his new, much better and more cherished ones. When he was done, he placed the box in the sheath box, and slid everything once again under the Christmas tree. "Thank you. You are the greatest girl a guy could have. You've saved me, and I love you. You cherish my heart, and I love you for that. But most importantly, you love me for who I am, and I love you for the woman you are." Kenshin said, kissing Kaoru softly.

"Your welcome." Kaoru responding, kissing him back.

:- - -:

They had been dancing and socializing for about an hour in a half when Kenshin went up to the Christmas tree with a microphone. The other five where standing off to the side in the middle, wondering what he was up to. Kaoru's face was getting redder and redder.

"Welcome everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying their evening. We are very happy that you all could make it. Hiko and I wish you, our dearest friends and family, a very Merry Christmas, and that the new year will be a great one for you all. Now, for some special entertainment, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, for our guests to enjoy the Christmas Season. Secondly, to you Kaoru, the girl who holds my heart (quest 'awws' collectively) For the past three weeks I have been giving Kaoru some very special gifts. 12 of them exactly, to follow the 12 Days of Christmas. They started on December 2, and have been given with my whole heart every other day since then, but all of that will end tonight. Please, enjoy the last day of Christmas, 12 Drummers, Drumming." Kenshin said.

He gave the microphone back to the DJ, and made his way back to where his friends and Kaoru where standing by the entry. He was half way to his destination when two by two, 12 traditional Japanese drummers came walking through the door. The last few, rolled their drums in, and they set up in a circle in the middle of the hall. Kenshin made his way back to Kaoru and pulled her to the front, right next to the drummers. Her hand was shaking in his, or maybe it was his that was shaking, he wasn't sure. Misao, Megumi, Aoshi and Sano were right behind them, smiles on their faces. He looked over to Kaoru and saw that she had a smile on her face. When she looked over at him, her smile grew and she leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.

The drummers soon started their drumming. It was loud, festive and Kaoru loved it. She moved her hand from Kenshin's and took his arm instead, squeezing it tightly. He unwrapped her arms from his and stepped behind her, wrapping her in his arms, resting his head on the top of hers. The drummers did a set of four songs, two traditional Japanese songs, then We Wish You a Merry Christmas and 12 Days of Christmas. When they were done, Kenshin took Kaoru's hand and led her out of the house.

:- - -:

When they were on the front porch, Kaoru leaped into Kenshin's arms, hugging him as tightly as she could. She buried her head in his neck, and started to cry.

"Hey, what's that for?" Kenshin asked when he felt her tears on his neck. He slowly placed her feet on the ground, but kept her close.

"I'm so happy." Kaoru said. "You've made me the happiest girl in the world Kenshin Himura."

"I'm glad. I thought maybe you would like the drummers." Kenshin said wiping the tears off of her cheeks.

"They were wonderful! I loved them! You are one clever guy." Kaoru said taking his hands.

The stars were out, and they could hear the music playing from inside. Kenshin started the steps of a dance, and they danced there on the porch. They danced there for several minutes before Kenshin grabbed Kaoru's hand and led her towards the backyard. They came to a special spot for both of them a few minutes later. They were standing just inside the gate in a garden that Hiko and Kenshin had every spring, a creek ran through it, and they had a little bridge over it. On the other side was a huge Cherry Blossom tree, the limbs hanging over the creek, a tire swing from when Kenshin was little that hung there now for Ayame and Suzume, two little neighborhood girls that often played with Kenshin. It was the spot that Kenshin and Kaoru had shared their first kiss, a summer day after school.

"Remember this spot?" Kenshin asked as they stood on the bridge.

"Of course. I was sitting in the swing, you standing behind me, pushing me, when we had our first kiss." Kaoru said, pointing to the tire.

"I couldn't help myself. You looked so beautiful sitting there, the blossoms from the tree floating around you." Kenshin said into her ear.

"It was a beautiful day. I had been waiting for you to kiss me for weeks. I remember thinking, 'Finally! He's gonna kiss me! He's finally going to kiss me!' It was perfect too."

"Yes, that it was." Kenshin said, kissing her gently. They stared up at the stars for several minutes after they pulled apart. Kaoru shivered and Kenshin shrugged off his jacket, pulling her final gift out of his jacket pocket and placing it in the pocket of his pants, putting the jacket over her shoulders. "Better?"

"Yes, thank you." She said, pulling it around her. "Aren't you going to be cold?"

"No, I'll be fine. Just wanted you to be warm."

"Okay." Kaoru answered. "Is there a reason you wanted to bring me out here?"

"You want to go in?" Kenshin asked, looking at her.

"No, just wandering."

"Okay. There is a reason though." Kenshin said. "Kaoru, I love you. I know I've told you this countless times, everyday, and even more now that I've given you your Christmas gifts, but you have one more gift coming. A very special one." Kenshin said, taking the box from his pocket, keeping it hidden in his hand. "You are the one girl that has taken my heart, and held it safely in your hands, natured and healed my heart and passed, excepted me for who I am."

"I love you too Kenshin. With my entire heart, and you have kept my heart safe and cherished it, and my love." Kaoru said turning her head even more to look up at him.

"I don't know what else to say, but to ask you." Kenshin said, turning her around to face him. He brought the box up between them and showed it to her. Kaoru gasped when he opened. In side was a small silver ring, a sapphire in between two pearls. She looked up Kenshin with a surprised face.

"Kaoru, you've made me the happiest man on earth, but the only that would make me happier would to have you as my wife, well, someday. Will except this as me offering my heart and myself to you? Will you marry me?" Kenshin asked, taking her hand and slipping the ring onto her finger. Kaoru looked at her finger for a long time. Then she threw herself into Kenshin's arms, tears coming down her face.

"Yes." she said, kissing him on the cheek. "How could I refuse you? You are the one man that has held, protected and kept my heart, and me safe. I love you with all of my heart, Kenshin. I will love you forever." Kaoru said, her hands on either side of his face, kissing him gently when she finished. They stood there on the bridge for a long time, holding each other in their arms.

Anitica: Thank you for reviewing! And thank you for loving my story! I love the Kaoru-Kenshin moments too! Thank you so much once again!

Meet.A.L.E.X.: I hope your addiction leads you to read my other stories! Thank you for reviewing! Haha, I hope it brought a little Christmas spirit to everyone! I enjoyed writing it, getting ready for Christmas. I envy Kaoru a bit too...and I wrote it!

Crazy fanfic lover: Thank you for reviewing faithfully! I loved your questions and everything! I tried to catch up, sosorry it came so fast. It was kinda hard to come up with those 10 gifts. I'm glad you liked them. They were all off the top of my head, thought some of them were kinda Cheesy, so thank you bunches!

oro kenshin: Thank you so much for reviewing! And thank you for the encouragement! I loved getting your reviews!

Guardian of Hikaru: I fixed it! I've seen it spelled both ways, and had both in my computer, but I did fix it for the last chapter! Thank you so much, hope you enjoyed the story!

Rurouni Kai: Thanks for reviewing! Hope you enjoyed the ending!

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Jou-chan: Thanks for Reviewing, hope you have a Merry Christmas

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