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Flight of the Wounded Dove	By : ShaeyaSedjet Category: Rurouni Kenshin > General Views: 3101 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 11
- 12
- 13
A
Note From Sedjet: I know it has been eight years since I have
updated this fic. Well, not really, but close enough. The plain and
simple fact of the matter is that I am scared to death of writing the
wedding scene that I keep putting it off. I keep writing more
chapters leading up to the event, but I never get there. The truth
is, I don’t even know where to begin! It’s a silly
phobia, I know, but a phobia none the less. I’m just scared to
death I’m going to make a mess of the entire thing.

cyjj—I’ve
finally grown the cajones to attempt the wedding scene, so I’m
updating.

GoldAngel2—Like
I have said to cyji, I’ve finally done the research and am
going at this wedding thing full force. It’s a scary thing to
have to write about! So detailed. And I don’t care if KandK are
marrying in Spring or Autumn! They have a special day in the summer.
So, nyah! to the tradition Japanese ceremony.

KK4eva—I’m
glad you are enjoying the story. I apologize for taking so long to
update. I’m really bad about that.

reader—Thank
you. I’m so fortunate to have faithful readers out there.
Please keep reading!

kik-ting—It
will definitely be smooth sailing from here. The poor kids deserve
and uninterrupted nuptial day! It might be boring, but I’m
saving the conflict and angst for my other fiction grin

Crimson
Kaoru—Yes, I sure did…but then it resurfaced and
kicked my butt hardcore! But I’m back! Woot! I’m glad you
enjoyed the last chapter, I can only hope that you like this one just
as much.

skenshingumi—Wow…I
don’t know what to say. You reviewed seven times, bringing my
grand total of reviews to 81. So…BIG HUGGLES to you! You
helped me break 80! I am so glad you are enjoying the fic. Each of
your reviews made me smile. It makes a girl feel good when she knows
what is making her readers happy. Thank you so much. Please continue
to read!

Disclaimer:
Rurouni Kenshin does not belong to me.

Flight
of the Wounded Dove

Chapter
Twelve:

Preparations

Thanks
to Tae a shrine had been reserved, the flowers ordered, invitations
sent out, the menu planned and Kenshin’s wedding kimono chosen.
Since nothing else about the couple’s engagement or present
situation was traditional, Tae was determined that at least their
wedding would be. Some of the guests had already arrived and were
distributed between Tae and the dojo.

Presently,
the nearly weds were enjoying a light lunch with Misao and Aoshi who
had eloped sometime in the past couple of months. No one seemed
surprised when they revealed the information, not even Kenshin. Misao
was chirping happily away about married life, all the while clutching
at Aoshi’s arm. What was surprising was that Aoshi wore a small
smile the entire time, his eyes twinkling with nearly hidden mirth.
Even a fool could tell that he was madly in love with the
psychotically genki girl beside him.

“Kaoru!
Are you going to have a Yui-no exchange?”

Kaoru
fought the urge to roll her eyes, “Of course, Tae has it
planned for this evening.”

Misao
squealed, “I can’t wait!”

The
men exchanged glances and Kenshin patted Kaoru’s arm in a
comforting gesture.

“Kenshin,
let us walk and let Kaoru and Misao chat a while,” Aoshi
suggested, feeling a little too overcome by the feminine excitement
of the moment.

“Hai,”
Kenshin nodded. He turned to his fiancé, “We will not be
gone long, koishii.” He brushed a tender kiss against her
cheek, bringing a soft smile too her delicate features.

“Hai,
Kenshin. Enjoy your walk.” Then, to Aoshi she said, “It
is nice to see you again, Aoshi. I am so happy you have come all this
way for our wedding. Thank you.”

Aoshi
smiled slightly and nodded before leading the way out of the living
room.

When
they were out of earshot of the women, Aoshi turned to Kenshin. “I
must say I was surprised to hear that you had finally proposed to
Kaoru-chan.” At Kenshin’s confused expression, he
explained, “I never thought for a moment that you could wander
off and leave her again, but neither did I think that you would ever
truly settle. I am pleased to see, however, that you have chosen to
protect the girl by revealing your feelings for her instead of
distancing yourself from her. It was destroying you both.” The
stoic young man had noticed how close the couple had been during the
meal. His keen eyes had see every touch, every fleeting glance. He
smiled inwardly thinking that perhaps the saying was wrong. Perhaps
an old dog really could learn new tricks.

Kenshin
did not say a word, but he knew all too well how detrimental his
behavior had been to both parties. But that was in the past, and he
did not want to think about it anymore. Rather, he would remain
focused on beginning a new life with the woman who was his salvation.

“Am
I to assume that you are speaking from experience, Aoshi? It was most
surprising to know that you ran away to get married like a pair of
forbidden lovers,” Kenshin smiled. “After all, when has
it ever been in your nature to be impulsive?”

“Hai,
I speak from experience. Men like you and I sometimes become too set
in their ways. We do not allow ourselves to feel the necessary
emotions in life. I discovered the hard way that it begins to eat
away at your insides until, eventually, there is nothing left. We are
lucky to have salvaged anything in the way of a relationship with
these women.”

“You
smile, now, that is nice to see,” Kenshin observed.

“And
your smiles are now sincere, far different from the old rurouni mask
you used to wear. Isn’t it strange how admitting one simple
thing can change your entire existence?” Aoshi mused.

“Hai,
indeed.”

Later
that evening, the people gathered at the Kamiya dojo were separated
into two rooms: the women in the living room, the men in the dojo.
Tae was holding a Yui-no for Kaoru, while Sanosuke was hosting a
gathering for the men. Among the attendants at the Yui-no were
Megumi, Tsubame and Misao. So far things were going well. Well…with
the exception of Misao and Tae both being completely inebriated. That
was an unexpected occurrence which had Megumi snickering and had
Kaoru ducking her head in utter embarrassment. Fortunately, Tae stood
and announced that it was time for the presentation of the Yui-no
gifts.

“Now,”
the tipsy woman began, “Who would like to present the first
gift?”

Megumi
smiled slyly and the assembled group could swear they saw a pair of
kitsune ears spring up on the top of her head. “I will go
first, Tae-san.” She reached into her sleeve and pulled out a
small bundle and handed it to Kaoru. When the younger girl looked at
her questioningly, Megumi rolled her eyes, “Oh, for Kami’s
sake, Tanuki, open it!” She hid her grin behind a hand while
Kaoru opened the tiny bundle.

Kaoru
looked at the strange herb quizzically. “What is it,
Megumi-san?”

Tae
burst into obnoxious laughter, wheezing, guffawing and snorting.
“Kaoru-chan! You’ve never seen Konbu* before?” At
Kaoru’s incredulous shake of the head, there was more obnoxious
laughter and snorting on Tae’s part, “It’s a
fertility drug, Kaoru-chan!”

“But
I do not keep a garden, Megumi-san…” Kaoru ventured.

Tae
leaned in close to Kaoru, attempting to whisper, but being completely
unsuccessful, “It’s not for that kind of fertility
silly! It’s meant to help breed healthy babies!”

Kaoru
turned beet red from chest to scalp. “Tae! You mustn’t
say that kind of thing around Tsubame! It isn’t proper!”

“Pish-posh!
It’s about time she learned the way of things, hmm, Tsubame?”

Tsumbame
merely nodded, humoring her benefactor.

Megumi
and Misao were giggling, Tsubame was shaking her head, Tae was
cackling and snorting and Kaoru wanted to crawl under the table and
simply die. She wanted to wring the kitsune’s pretty neck.

“Now,
now, Tanuki-chan, that was just a gift in jest.” She pulled a
small-ish box out of her sleeve and handed it to the still-beet-red
girl. “This is your true Yui-no gift.”

“Do
not think that I will forget this when the time comes for your
Yui-no, Megumi-san,” Kaoru said in a saccharine-sweet voice.

Megumi
took on affected an indignant posture and sniffed, “Who said I
will have a Yui-no. I am devoted only to my patients,” she
stated imperiously.

“Oh,
there will be one!” Tae crowed, “When that chicken-head
finally comes to his senses and gathers the courage to ask you!”
She giggled madly.

“Oh?
And who says I will accept?”

“It
is in every look you throw his way when you think no one is looking,
Megumi-san,” Tsubame murmured softly.

Megumi
threw her hands up in disgust, “From the mouths of babes!”

Tae
fell over snorting, Misao giggled madly, Tsubame blushed demurely and
Kaoru hid her grin behind the sleeve of one of her newest kimono.

“Oh,
shut up, all of you. Just open your gift, Tanuki,” Megumi
snapped, though everyone could see that she was struggling not smile.

Kaoru
opened the small, white box and removed the top layer of soft wool
that hid what was beneath. Her mouth gaped at what the fluff
revealed. Nestled on a second bed of fluff was a beautiful set of
haircombs carved in the shape of a very intricate phoenix. “Oh,
Megumi,” she whispered as her eyes filled with tears, “They
are beautiful.”

The
older woman nodded, “They suit you, Kaoru-chan. I am very glad
you like them.”

“Thank
you so much, Megumi!” Kaoru threw her arms around Megumi’s
neck, and the older woman’s eyes widened for a moment. Then,
her expression softened and she wrapped her arms gently around the
girl she had come to care for as a sister (though, she would hate to
admit it to anyone).

At
the end of the evening, Kaoru had acquired a small pile of lovely
gifts, both traditional and for fun. Tae had given her some sort of
dried fish that was supposed to strengthen married couple’s
relationship and a set of green jade earbobs with a matching necklace
that bore the symbols for luck, prosperity and happiness; Misao had
given her a beautifully crafted calligraphy set and large bottle of
jasmine scented oil for her bath; but the most surprising gift had
come from Tsubame. She had made a quilt for the couples’
‘nuptial bed’, but lastly, she brought out a tiny quilted
blanket. It was quilted from many different silk patterns in many
different colors. There were white cranes on a red background, orange
bubble eyed fish on a blue background, pink cherry blossoms on a red
background and creamy white and pink water lilies on a green
background. Kaoru had been stunned speechless, and even Tae and Misao
sobered up a bit.

“Tsubame,
this is beautiful!” Kaoru breathed as she stroked the quilted
silk.

Tsubame
blushed shyly, “I thought you would need one if you have a
baby. I’ve been working on them every day since I found out
about the wedding.”

Kaoru
blinked tears from her eyes, holding out her arms. The younger girl
went shyly into the embrace, hugging Kaoru gently.

“This
is by far the most special gift I have ever received, Tsubame. Thank
you so much.” She kissed the young girl’s cheek, causing
her blush to deepen.

“I’ve
always looked up to you, Kaoru-chan. You are so strong and
independent. I’ve never met anyone like you. And I am honored
that you have allowed me to become part of your family,” she
whispered in a voice husky with tears.

Megumi
cleared her throat, “Well,” she said in an overly-chipper
tone, “We should gather Kaoru’s gifts and help her take
them to her room and go see what kind of trouble the men have gotten
themselves into.” There were murmurs of agreement and the women
set about doing just that.

In
the dojo, things had become rowdy. Someone had allowed Yahiko to have
sake (though, whether it was Hiko or Sanosuke, no one could be
certain), and the spiky-haired teen had been challenging everything
to battle (Kenshin, Sano, Hiko, the table…), For the most part
Kenshin sat quietly, with a peaceful smile on his face, only
sweatdropping when Yahiko chose another piece of furniture to
challenge.

Dr.
Genzai and Kenshin talked a bit about what Kenshin would do for
income. The older man suggested that Kenshin take on a teaching
position at the dojo. Kenshin balked at the idea, certain that no one
would want to learn from the former Battousai. The kind doctor then
suggested that, perhaps, he should think about joining the police
force and, for the first time that anyone in the assembled party
could remember, Kenshin laughed raucously. The thought of joining
Saitou was a little too much for him. He assure the good doctor that
he had no cause to worry and that he would think of something.

Sano
and Aoshi were playing cards, and Aoshi was winning every time.

“No
fair! You have the best expression for playing cards!”

“Are
you referring to the fact that he has no expression?” Hiko
suggested dryly. At that, Aoshi cracked the hint of a smile and laid
down another winning hand.

When
the women finally made it out to check on the men, the sight that
greeted them was too much. Yahiko was curled up next to Sanosuke in a
corner of the dojo, both snoring loudly; Hiko was smacking Kenshin
with his sake casket, chanting, “Bakadeshi, bakadeshi,
bakadeshi.”; Dr. Genzai was still droning on about income; and
Aoshi was counting the night’s winnings.

The
women giggled at the sight and went to collect their respective
charges. Megumi sashayed over to Sanosuke and, when everyone thought
she would scream loudly in his ear to wake him, she gently shook him,
murmuring that it was time to go. She further surprised everyone by
letting him lean on her. “C’mon Tori-atama, it’s
time to go home.”

“Where’re
we goin’?” He slurred.

“Well,
there is no way I am walking through your neighborhood at this time
of night with you as debilitated as you are. So, I suppose we are
going to my place.”

Sano
nodded, nuzzling his head against her head, “Mmkay…Can I
sleep with you?” Megumi’s eye twitched and she slapped
him on the forehead. “Oi! What was that for!” Megumi just
rolled her eyes and gently tugged him out of the room.

Misao
had already glomped onto Aoshi and the couple bid their good nights
to nearly weds, “Goodnight, Kaoru! I am so excited about
tomorrow!” She kissed the older girl’s cheek and bounced
away, Aoshi following in her wake, murmuring something about her
being drunk.

Tae
was busy collecting both Hiko and Dr. Genzai. She was muttering all
the remedies she knew for getting rid of hangovers and Hiko was
grinning at her like a lovesick puppy. That, Kenshin could not
believe. Never had his mentor shown any interest in women. The man
was a hermit! Now, he was flirting shamelessly with Tae! Would
wonders never cease?

Amidst
all the commotion, Tsubame had gently woken Yahiko and he was busy
professing his undying love for her. The young girl was blushing to
the roots of her hair and tugging gently at the young boy to get him
back to the main house. Kaoru could hear her chiding, “Yahiko,
you should not drink. You will have a headache in the morning.”

As
Kaoru watched all of the guests depart, Kenshin came up behind her
and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her
shoulder. ”How was the Yui-no?”

“It
was wonderful, Kenshin! Tsubame made the most beautiful quilts!”

“Quilts?”
The redhead querried. “Why more than one?”

Kaoru
blushed, “Well, she made a very small one, in case we have a
baby…”

A
baby…Kenshin had never thought he would be in a position to
have children. He had never even considered the possibility that, one
day, he might have children of his own. He stroked Kaoru’s hair
thoughtfully, smiling softly. A child. A child with Kaoru. That was
an idea he could get used to. He looked at the woman who had been his
salvation, “Will you show me?”

Kaoru
nodded, smiling softly, leading him out of the dojo toward the main
house.

TBC…

*known
for its ability to breed – to wish the couple many happy and
healthy children

I
got this information at:

http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/culture/marriage_modern.html

Note:
How was it? I’m sorry I took so long! I just finally said, “to
hell with it!” and decided this was something I couldn’t
be scared of anymore. I’m going to start the wedding chapter
very soon, so be watching for it. I’m hoping to get it out
sometime soon, though, with my crazy schedule, I never know when I’ll
be able to finish a chapter.
- 11
- 12
- 13
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Flight of the Wounded Dove