AN: I don t own Rurouni Kenshin . Lemon warning ..nuff said : )

Chapter 7

He held her until her breath evened out. They were both presented with a new problem now. Was she, or wasn t she? He knew they were both more than ready, but were they ready for the truth? He didn t want to think of it anymore.

He reached up to her tightly pinned hair and gently pulled away a pin. Only one side of the top fell away. He gathered them into his fingers and lightly ran the soft ebony strands through his palm. With the other hand he pulled away another pin and felt through those strands as well. He lifted both his hands and unrolled the wooden hair plate. Now all of her hair was down.

She was so beautiful. By now most of the rice powder had been wiped away. Only the dark charcoal circles on Kaoru s eyes remained. She looked even more mysterious, more sensual to him. He managed to pull himself away to look at her blue eyes. They were no longer filled with fear but replaced with a gentle calmness.

She looked at him, beseeching comfort for her growing need. Kenshin saw that she wanted this moment to begin now. He touched her face and pulled her lips towards his. She moaned eagerly when their lips finally touched. She felt the dizziness come over her and her legs relaxed. He deepened his kiss, his tongue gently touching every part of her mouth.

Her tongue, her teeth, her tender inner cheeks, and then his tongue lightly traced her lips, all the while never breaking the kiss. It was so tender, so kind, and so sweet. All she could do was hold him tightly to keep from falling down. His arms wrapped around her back help to keep the chill away. He felt his heart quicken when she moaned again.

More than ready.

He moved away gently, he wanted to make this last forever. He heard Kaoru almost whine in protest. He smiled.

"I just want to get into something a little less cumbersome." He stepped to the folded robe next to the bed and proceeded to undress himself. Kaoru couldn t tear her eyes away from his beautifully sculpted body. The red silk fell from his body and he was left for just a moment, completely naked, his back towards Kaoru. She didn t care about the scars that laced his body. They were a part of him and they became his story. She was stabbed with disappointment when he placed the robe over his body. Nevertheless, she walked up behind him and took his red hair into her hands. He stood completely still.

It had been a long time since his hair was touched so tenderly. She tugged the tie at the top of his head and pulled as gently as one could pull a tie out of hair. It hurt but Kenshin didn't give any reaction to pain. He just waited until she was done brushing her fingers through his hair and messaging his scalp.

It felt so wonderful; it was such rare thing to happen to him. She snaked her arms to the front of him and idly smoothed her palms across his abdomen. He exhaled sharply when he felt such an intimate touch. She just wanted to hold him in return; she placed her head against his back and breathed in his warm scent. Suddenly there was a bright flash of light and loud popping sound that followed.

Kenshin tensed up immediately as if he were in danger. He looked at Kaoru questionably. Then he heard it again. As much as he hated to he pulled away from her embrace and walked to the door. He pulled it open and looked into the night. A flash of light came about once again; he smiled and turned to Kaoru.

"Come my love, it seems that even the skies approve of this day." She quickly came to his side and looked up in the direction he was looking.

"Just wait for it, love." Kenshin said as he pulled his arm around hers and walked the both of them out onto the porch. The sky suddenly lit again. Kaoru sucked in her breath beholding the beautiful sight.

"Ah, I think those are our fireworks." She said as she remembered Okina s gift. She wondered who was firing them off. She could see the sparks begin to fade and she realized that it was overhead the Akabeko.

"It is beautiful." She said simply.

"Yes, it is very beautiful." Kenshin said, but the way he said it made Kaoru look at him. He wasn t even looking up at the sky; he was keeping a feral gaze on her the whole time.

Tae was glad that the Akabeko was an inn as well. She had received so many guests for the night. Sano, Okina, a man named Hiko and Katsu. Yahiko and Tsubame were outside, lighting the fireworks. It was really a nice day; the fireworks were just a great way to end it. The four men were drinking rather heavily for the night. Needless to say, in their current state they proved to be quite entertaining.

Katsu was the quiet one it seemed, the others however where showing off battle scars. Hiko bragged that he was so skillful he had none to show. Okina laughed. Sano just sat there smiling and dreamed of adventure.

Hiko had felt a sense of pride for his stupid apprentice. He chose well. She was kind but full of fire. He smiled in spite of himself then drank more sake. Sano joined him as well. Sano's head cocked to the side as though he heard something. He almost laughed when he heard someone making love in the upper floor. He assumed it was Aoshi and Misao.

*Needs her rest huh?* He smiled mischievously. In his drunken state he stood and left his companions.

*Where the hell is he going?* They all thought at the same time. He climbed the stairs and drew himself closer to the moans. He lazily slid the door open and took a peek inside.

"Hey should you be doing that in her condition, Mr. Ice?" He said as he directed his voice towards the moving bundle.

"Oh really? What condition is that, moron?" If there weren t a wall behind Sano he would have fell.

"AAAAHHHHHHHHH, god damn it!" Okina, Hiko, and Katsu looked at the pathetic Sano nearly falling down the stairs. Sano raced to the nearest sake pitcher and guzzled it down.

"I hope I don t remember that tomorrow. Ugh!" A few moments later a barely dressed Saito came rushing down the stairs. He knocked the pitcher from Sano s grasp.

"I should kill you, moron!" Saito was fuming mad. Kutsu quickly stood in front of Sano.

"I really don't know what happened, but it will stay between you and him." With that Katsu punched Sano as hard as he could, knocking him out. In Sano's drunken state it wasn t hard.

"See? All better now."

Kenshin and Kaoru left the porch before the pretty display had ended and found themselves entangled with each other inside the room. He couldn't hold her close enough and she couldn t kiss him fast enough. It wasn t long before he laid her on to the futon and pressed his body into her, just trying to get closer.

Her hair spread among the ground beneath her and Kenshin made sure not to accidentally catch it with his elbows. Kenshin's hair acted as a crimson curtain surrounding Kaoru within a wall of fire. The candlelight danced shadows deliciously on his face. His eyes were so intent.

She couldn't have breathed if she looked at them much longer. He broke the kiss and his hand went to the belt that tied her robe, which was denying him view of her beautiful body. With a single move he whisked the belt away, ensuing a startled gasp from her. He slowly set himself between her shaking legs.

Whether she was shaking from fear or passion he didn t know, for she was giving him the same reaction. Before Kaoru could feel his arousal he pulled back and sat on his knees between her legs. His hands traveled up to the collar of her robe and he slowly pulled it back away from her shoulders. He forced his hand underneath her body pulled her up to a semi-sitting position.

Kaoru just followed his gentle direction quietly. He pushed the top further back from her shoulders until her breasts were uncovered. Kaoru nervously looked at Kenshin. She hoped he was pleased with her figure. He let the sleeves fall down her arms until Kaoru's hands caught them.

For a moment he just held her up and observed her nakedness. His eyes traveled down past her full firm breasts, past her stomach, then they stopped at the dark curls above her sex. He didn t even have to touch her; his looks alone were driving her wild.

He lifted his eyes to look into her again. He could see the lust shining like a beacon in the night.

She was ready, ready to seal this marriage and ready to know the truth, now.

He gently laid her back down as he smoothed her hair around her. He sat back on his knees and untied his belt. He opened his robe and let it fall off and he caught it in his hand then tossed it to the side. Kaoru wasn't sure if she was ready to see that part of him yet. She kept her eyes on his chiseled chest, his somber face, then his gentle but piercing eyes.

They were still violet but speckled with yellow. So strange but a welcoming sight. He was going to experience this with all of his soul, and spirit. She shivered slightly, the chill of the night seeping their icy fingers onto her passion heated skin. She pleaded for Kenshin to return to her by opening her arms to him. Then he did, keeping his eyes locked onto hers all the while.

He settled gently onto her and let his warmth mix with hers. When their bare skin touched she moaned in pleasure letting the heat from his skin warm her to the core. Kenshin buried his face into her neck and nuzzled and kissed it until he felt her relax again. He pulled his head up and ever so slightly moved higher upon her body, still piercing her eyes with his.

He was making sure there was no fear, no hesitation. She became rigid when she felt his stiff member touch her just outside her womanhood. Kenshin stopped and waited for a moment, so she could find the pleasure of its presence. She closed her eyes and Kenshin saw deep concentration play across her face.

"Kaoru " Her eyes opened and she waited for him, "No one can take your innocence unless you have freely given it away. No matter what the outcome of this is, you will have been innocent to me, to my heart. I love you, Kaoru."

"I love you too, Kenshin." She said trying to keep the tears from collecting in her eyes. Her fear was banished but quickly renewed itself when Kenshin moved further up and supported his weight on his elbows. He reached down and positioned himself within her nether lips.

No good, she wasn t physically ready.

He would just have to wait a little longer, but in the meantime. He fell back onto her, carefully keeping his member within the folds of her womanhood. He tenderly stroked her hair, her face, her eyes and her lips, and then ever so gently he kissed them. She ran her fingers along arms and down his back and with her mind she mapped the contours of his body.

Finally, she embraced him and kissed him back. Kenshin could feel moisture enveloping the tip of his sex and he almost lost his self-control. He deepened his kiss and barely pushed himself inside. Kaoru's heart quickened. This was it! He pulled out to the very tip and broke the kiss to look into her eyes. He pushed back in, a little further. Kaoru shut her eyes and snapped her head to the side, she made fists with her hands pressed them into her sides. He pulled out slightly.

"Kaoru, open your eyes, look at me." She did so and he pushed back in even further this time. She closed her eyes again but kept her face towards his, her fists were still clenched tightly.

"Relax, love. Keep looking at me, don't close your eyes." She opened them again. They were full of apprehension, but not full blown terror as he thought there would be. She pulled her hands up to catch his upper arms in an unyielding grip. She kept her gaze steady with his this time as he entered her again, even further. He repeated this move until she had dampened and relaxed enough to receive him. For good measure he continued with his gentle probing.

Her face contorted with need, she moved her mouth and whispered his name. She wanted to close her eyes to the rush, but Kenshin still held them. She could feel her hip instinctively move toward him. She wanted him, wanted him to fill her, to complete her. His tenderness was enough to make her pant with need.

"Kenshin please." It was the please that caught Kenshin's attention. He locked onto her eyes and pushed himself in as far as he could, then stopped abruptly. She was a virgin. Before Kaoru could ask why he stopped he quickly pushed the whole length of himself into her. Her eyes threatened to close against the pain but instead she almost smiled.

The pain was a good thing!

It filled her with joy. Even if it didn t matter it was good to know the truth now. Kenshin had shown her it to her so delicately. His eyes peered into hers in apology. Kaoru smiled with tears gathering on her eyes. He bent his head and kissed her so tenderly it caused her muscles within to clench around him. It was an odd, but very pleasurable feeling she noted.

It wasn't until Kenshin tried to move that the pain began anew. She didn't want to let him see the pain in her eyes when he continued so she wrapped her arms around his back and buried her face in his neck. His hands gripped her shoulder for support and drove himself as far into as he could. She stifled a whimper.

"Don t hold it back love, it only makes it worse." He said softly into her ear. She pulled him to her harder.

*Gods! I don t want to yell*

"Don't worry Kenshin, just don t stop, no matter what." She managed to say, her legs began to cramp and shake from the adrenaline surging in her body and from her current awkward position. Kenshin noticed and used his hands to pull her knees up to his sides and pushed into her again.

Kaoru breathed aloud in both pain and relief. It felt a little better in this new position, not so tight it seemed but even deeper still. Then she felt it, the tiny flicker of pleasure through the pain.

It was so deep inside her, it almost tickled. Kenshin thrust again and embraced her even closer. He loved the feel or her arms pressed so tightly around him. Her knees dug into his waist and her feet ever so slowly hooked themselves behind the small of his back. His breathing became labored as he quickened his strokes. Kaoru looked as though she was struggling to breath. Kenshin realized that she was still muffling her cries.

*She must feel embarrassed*

He smiled inwardly at her shyness. He pushed himself up with his hands so that her face was in direct view. She opened her eyes when she felt his rhythm change. She crimped her brows together in confusion.

"Kaoru, cry out if you must, there is no shame in doing that. Cry out as loud as you want." He smiled and moved closer to her with his elbows supporting his weight. He kissed her lips and pumped his hips again.

This time she tore her lips from his and her cry echoed throughout the dojo grounds.

*What a set of lungs!*

He felt his ears ring in repercussion from her shout. Soon he found his rhythm once again, her moans and cries beckoning him to keep filling her again and again. At times he could feel her body learning to tighten as he withdrew and relax when he swept back into her warmth. She felt herself leaving the world in her mind.

She felt like she was flying again, soaring so fast that the ground beneath her could not be seen. Even when she opened her eyes she couldn't focus. Her heart felt like it had stopped but in reality it had sped up faster than ever. She felt his muscles moving beneath her fingertips stroking and scratching his back. Her nails dug themselves into his shoulders and her lips echoed his name, over and over. Like a desperate prayer. She could barely hear the exhausted moans from Kenshin.

Soon his voice deepened and his groans became more guttural, powerful, and wanting. He pushed himself harder and harder striving for release. Her sighs of pleasure were sending waves of bliss throughout his whole being. He began to lose himself within the warm embrace of her arms and the feel of her breath on his neck. He started to shake uncontrollably all over and continued to accelerate his pace.

Without even thinking about it, Kaoru tenderly bit at his shoulder causing him to tremble even more with need. He moved his hand down to her waist only to grip her hips and drive into her as hard as he dared. He was coming so close, so close to the edge, he had to close his eyes against the rush.

Kaoru drew rugged breaths as his pounding motions issued loud cries from her throat. She felt a fire within her begin, starting very small then snaked through every fiber of her being until it reached her lips, his name following behind.

Kenshin suddenly stiffened, " Kaoru " She felt him release his hot seed within her. She would have blushed if she weren t already so flustered. The way he said her name touched her deep inside. It was like he called to his personal god, his angel. His voice was so full of need and desire. She still felt his seed pumping forth, filling her within.

Finally, with a grunt his body slackened and he collapsed upon her, his breathing hard and uneven.

*Gods, it has been too long!*

He thought to himself as he mustered the strength to tenderly trace Kaoru's sweaty face.

"That was wonderful, love." He knew it was an understatement. He had never lost himself so much before. It was truly amazing. He couldn't help but to feel awe for this woman who was now his wife. He loved her so much! Kaoru had managed to calm her heart and casually ran her hand down his back, now wet with sweat.

She felt so complete, so full she almost started to cry. She reached up and gathered the red hairs that had been tickling her face. She pulled them back behind his ears and kissed his temple. After he had rested a bit he pulled himself back onto his elbows and began to kiss her tentatively on the lips. Thanking her for trusting him, giving him her innocence. He would cherish it forever.

They stayed in their embrace until Kaoru showed signs of strain. It was getting harder and harder for her to breath with Kenshin atop. As much as he hated too, he steadying himself on his hands and gently pulled himself out of her. He winced when he looked down and saw the blood of her taken innocence spattered across the back of her marriage robe.

He took his place beside her and pulled the covers up to cover the both of them. He lay on his back and Kaoru turned to place her head within the nook of his arm. They didn t say a word. It was already said, whatever it might have been. Sleep, finally came over them after the shock of such sweeping emotions began to diminish.

**********
"You ve been what!" Sano said in disbelief. It had taken him two days to get over the hangover from the wedding. He now sported a black eye.

"Farming you know working the fields. I have to provide for my wife somehow. That I do." Kenshin laughed at Sano s astonishment. It was flattering to think that Sano of all people thought his muscles had been getting bigger.

"So how did you get your black eye?"

AN: And I am spent! Whew! : ) Feel kinda nasty now. : \