Chapter 7
Kaoru was so nervous and jumpy that Megumi had to forcefully hold her in her seat. "Calm down Kaoru, I know this is exciting, but Kami-sama!"
Kaoru sighed, calming herself. "Gomen Megumi, but I just can't help myself! I've been waiting for this day since I met Kenshin, and now it's finally happening!"
Megumi chuckled. "Well I'm certainly happy for you. Now hold still so I don't smear this lip color all over your face."
Kaoru obediently held still, letting Megumi continue to apply her makeup. It was finally her wedding day, and she was so excited she could hardly stand it. She hadn't seen Kenshin all day, and she just knew that he was probably as excited as she was. Little did she know…
"Sano! That hurts! Let me do it, I'm better than you are!" Kenshin said feverently, putting up his hands to push Sano away.
"Whatever Kenshin, I guess you don't want my help," Sano said with a huff, finally releasing his hold on Kenshin's fire-red hair.
Kenshin combed out his hair, and then quickly and efficiently tied it up in a topknot. He shook his head at Sano. "Kami Sano, can't you even listen when I talk to you?"
Sano grinned. "Nah, I just choose not to notice. That doesn't mean I can't hear you." His grin turned wicked. "So, you all geared up for tonight?"
Kenshin blinked. "Tonight?" His face slowly turned beet red, and he gulped heavily. "Um…"
Sano laughed. "I guess I'll have to stay away tonight, I don't think I'll get any sleep!"
Kenshin couldn't take it. He wheeled his chair as fast as he could to the bathroom, and there Sano heard the sounds of retching. The former street-fighter cocked his head, blinking towards the room. "Kenshin?"
Kenshin rolled back out, pale and wiping his mouth with the back of a hand. "Gomen Sano…"
Sano snorted. "What'd you throw up for? Did the thought of tonight really make you that sick? Are you sure you want to marry Jou-chan?"
Kenshin shook his head frantically. "Oh no, it's not that! I'm just… so nervous. My stomach's been doing flips all day, and thinking about that did not help it at all."
Sano nodded in a seemingly knowing way. "I get it Kenshin, I'll say no more. Just don't let Jou-chan find out."
Kenshin shook his head with a fearful look and Sano laughed. "I won't Sano, trust me… She might murder me and ask questions later."
Sano laughed again. "Well, we'd better get out there."
Kenshin nodded, straightening his green silk gi with a sigh. "Hai, let's go."
Kaoru held her breath as the door opened. She could see all of her friends clustered in the room, and near the front with the reigning monk, Kenshin, seated in his chair with a smile on his face.
Kaoru had to restrain a gasp when she spotted him. He was dressed in a green silk gi that set off his hair beautifully, crimson silk hair that was tied up in a samurai's topknot. His violet eyes were positively sparkling, and the smile on his face was enough to set Kaoru's blood afire.
Kenshin was in awe. He had never seen a more beautiful woman in his life, than the one standing at the other end of the hall. Kaoru's kimono was dazzling white, and her raven hair was done up in an elegant bun, halfway hidden beneath the white veil. Her face was powdered with white makeup, lips painted cherry red.
He smiled widely, and saw her blush beneath her makeup. Hersapphire eyes sparkled, and he watched as she slowly began to walk towards him.
Kaoru had almost reached Kenshin when he braced his hands on the chair's armrests, and then to her great surprise, pushed himself into a standing position. With shaky steps he moved towards her, while tears escaped her eyes to flow down her cheeks.
He reached her a moment later, holding onto her arm for added support. Together the two made their way to stand before the monk.
He smiled widely at them, and the two knelt before him, Kenshin settling slowly down so he would be able to keep himself upright.
The marriage ceremony that the entire town had been waiting for began, and Kaoru continued to cry silent tears of joy for the miracle that had happened for her.
That night Kaoru and Kenshin lay in each other's arms, Kenshin's nose in Kaoru's unbound raven hair. Although she could tell Kenshin was exhausted, Kaoru couldn't help talking to him. He had been standing for a large amount of the day, and his still weakened muscles were twitching and burning beneath his skin.
"Kenshin?"
"Hm? What is it koneko?" Kenshin murmured sleepily, blinking back the oncoming sleep.
"Thank you." Kaoru murmured.
Kenshin shifted slightly so he could look at her. "What for Kaoru?"
She smiled. "For doing that for me today. I've never been so happy in my life, seeing you stand and come forward to me today. I felt so…happy. Contented. I'm just glad that now everything is going to go back to normal."
Kenshin kissed her hair lightly. "You're welcome koneko. I knew that you would enjoy that." He sighed happily, breathing in her scent of jasmine. "Aishiteru Kaoru."
She smiled, snuggling closer to his bare chest. "Aishiteru mo Kenshin." She suddenly giggled.
Kenshin cocked his head. "What?"
"Kaoru Himura," she murmured. "I love the sound of that."
He chuckled. "Me too." He kissed her gently, and she sank into the feeling of being with the man she loved, for now and the rest of her life.
The End! I'm not sure if I like the end, but I hope everyone likes it! There is an epilouge coming!