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Crossing the Line	By : HauntedReality Category: Rurouni Kenshin > General Views: 5367 -:- 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
- 12
- 13
CROSSING THE
LINE - Chapter 13: The ties that bind...

DISCLAIMER: Of the many things that are mine to possess,
Rurouni Kenshin and his companions are not among them.

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Kaoru looked out over the courtyard from the small window in
her bedroom. She couldn�t believe how many people were waiting outside.

Over the last five months, her dojo had really grown.
Opening the training up to hand-to-hand combat had brought in a wealth of new
students; all of whom were now milling about the yard in their nice clothes,
growing restless.

Yahiko and his friend, Yutaro, were busy keeping them in check while casting the
occasional greedy glance to the food table where Tsubame and Tae were setting
up for the reception.

Megumi was assisting Aoshi in escaping the forward advances
of the enthusiastic Miaso while the remaining members of the Oniwabanshuu ninja
clan from Kyoto were mingling among the other various guests like Dr. Genzai
and his nieces.

Saitou stalked through the crowd speaking to no one, but
rather watching the proceedings with great interest. Also on the sidelines, was
Kenshin�s former master, Hiko, who was watching the
female guests with great interest.

But no matter how many people came to celebrate this day
with her, she couldn�t help but notice the one who was still missing. No one
had heard from Kenshin since he left.

Without the constant comfort of Sano she was sure his long
absence would have broken her. She had her love, but she had broken her best friend�s
heart, and she was having a difficult time forgiving herself. Kaoru knew it
would have been too painful for Kenshin to watch her showing love to his
closest friend, but she had still prayed he would come to her wedding.

His absence at such a major event in her life was making her
realize he really was out of her life; possibly forever.

�Maybe he didn�t get my letter. After all, it isn�t like we
had a permanent address to send it to. It could be that I am torturing myself
for nothing, and he will return as soon as he feels ready.� She allowed the
thought to linger in her mind a little longer before her doubts brushed it
away.

�Or maybe he did get the letter, and he just didn�t want to
be here.� Sniffling slightly, she ran her fingers over the elaborate white
kimono with brightly colored stitching. �NO! I will not cry! Enough tears have
been shed. This is a time for rejoicing. I am marrying Sano.�

And just as it had every other time it crossed her mind, the
thought made her smile and beam with an inner light.

�And what makes my lady smile so?� Sano asked from his
position in the doorway.

�SANO! You aren�t supposed to see me before the wedding!�
Kaoru exclaimed with feigned anger. Truthfully, she was glad he interrupted her
thoughts before they turned back to the absent red head on her big day.

�Really? And who made this rule up?� he asked with a brow cocked
in amusement.

Kaoru smiled coyly and batted her eyes the way she had often
seen Megumi do. �Um...the Westerners?�

�I see, now remind me, are we getting married in the West or
here? Because I don�t think I wore the right shoes for such a trip.� He
sauntered across the room to her position. Leaning in close, he placed his lips
just above the shell of her ear, and in a soft voice he added, �But if you
really want to go, you look beautiful enough to convince me of anything right
now.� The warm breath of his voice fanned down her neck, causing her to
shudder.

Her eyelids suddenly became heavy, and she felt him guiding
her into position for what would doubtlessly be another mind-blowing, soul-searing
kiss from her betrothed.

�HEY!� she jerked backward from a slightly shaken Sano. �You
are trying to distract me from something!� she said accusingly.

�Jou-chan, I am shocked and hurt. Truly, do you think such
things of me when I only wanted to be closer to you?� His rich chocolate eyes
shimmered with mischief as he plied her with his most innocent sounding voice.

�What happened!?� she demanded.

�It�s nothing, really.�

�Sano!�

�I already found a replacement. So don�t worry.�

�SANO!�

�He has never liked speaking in public, so you can�t really
blame him. I know he feels bad about it, since he already agreed to do it.�

�SANOSUKE!�

He cringed at the use of his full name said in her tanuki-powered voice. �Dr. Genzai asked if he could just
attend the wedding instead of presiding over it.�

�WHAT!? But we are heading to the shrine in just a few
minutes! Who is going to take over?�

�I thought I would. That is, if you will have this unworthy
one,� said a familiar voice from the doorway.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

�You should be safe for a short time at least,� Megumi said
with a knowing smirk tracing her lips.

�Your assistance is appreciated, Doctor.� Aoshi said
unemotionally as his icy blue eyes swept the area to confirm he had evaded the often
troublesome young Misao.

�Has it occurred to you to simply tell her the advances are
unwelcome? She will be upset, but at least she will give up the hope of
attaining you, and then you will also be able to move on.� Megumi spoke
authoritatively as she absently rearranged one of the centerpieces sitting on
one of the several tables littering the Kamiya dojo in preparation for the
wedding reception.

�Forgive me, Doctor. I had no idea you were trained to
diagnosis such a large scope of human ailments. This must be a great comfort to
both you and your escort. Oh, excuse me. I have misspoken. You are here
unattended.� Aoshi delivered his verbal blow in a smooth voice that exuded
sensuality, but the impact of his words was not softened by its melodic nature.

�Of all the insulting, infuriating, insufferable things to
say!� a very frustrated Megumi seethed. She was not accustomed to trading
insults with those unafraid to go for the proverbial throat. The cool,
collected man next to her had thrown her out of her comfort zone considerably.

�Upset you didn�t think of it first?� he taunted back when
she was unable to further her thoughts.

�I am not going to give you the pleasure of extending this
conversation further!� She snapped while turning sharply on her heel, but his
next words prevented her from departing more forcefully than if he had
physically restrained her.

�Certainly not. Why provide pleasure to someone when sharing
abuse has been so good to you in the past?� There was something in the way he
had used the word pleasure that caused a tingling sensation to run down her
spine.

After a long pause, she turned her head just far enough that
he could see a smile creep upon her lips. Instead of being shocked or offended,
Megumi said, �Well played� before strutting confidently away from the intrigued
ninja.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

�Kaoru-san must really have her hands full with so many new
students,� Yutaro said thoughtfully as he and Yahiko temporarily relieved
themselves from their self-appointed role of keepers of the peace.

�Hey, I help too,� Yahiko proclaimed with mild indignation.

Ignoring his friend�s need for attention, he continued, �It
is impressive to see how things have turned around in such a short time.�

�Well, actually Sano had a lot to do with that if you can
believe it. After Kenshin took off,� Yahiko�s voice concealed a hint of anger
mixed with sadness, �things looked bad. Kaoru was doing that thing she does
where she pretends everything is fine, but you can tell it isn�t because I�ll
call her buso or something, and she just says �That�s
nice, Yahiko.� It was really tearing Sano up inside. He is just as easy to read,
because he wasn�t eating as much as usual. Of course, none of us were since
Kaoru had gone back to cooking.�

Yutaro laughed politely and urged Yahiko to continue the
story.

�Anyway, one day I get to the dojo for my early morning
practice, and there is Sano with six guys about my age. That was really weird.
I mean, Sano was actually awake before me.

�It turns out he had been recruiting new students when he
would go out. I just thought he was gambling again. Although, actually, by this
time he had already paid up all of his debts with money he had earned by doing
odd jobs. Lucky for him he wasn�t back to the gambling though. I would have
been forced to do something about it. After all, Buso
is far too difficult for me to watch after alone. I couldn�t have him screwing
things up with her again.�

Yutaro rolled his eyes, but internally enjoyed his friend�s
dismissive, boastful nature. Yahiko paid his friend�s reactions no mind and
charged forth with the story. �He called me over and explained that he wanted
to surprise Kaoru with the new recruits. So he got everyone started doing
simple warm up exercises with the bokkens, and we waited for her to arrive.�

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

�And the next thing I knew, I was standing in front of a
room full of students. Well, not really full at that time, but compared to my
usual class of one it was quite the shock. Sano saw me and signaled for
everyone to cease their activities and line up. I was a little confused and
didn�t really know what to say, but Sano spoke first so I didn�t have to.

�I�ll never forget that moment. He said, �Your class is
prepared, Master Kamiya.�� Kaoru�s eyes took on a far away look, and her lips
held a soft smile as she retold the story to an attentive Kenshin.

�I was speechless. Finally, I managed to stutter out a
ragged, �Master Kamiya?� You have to remember I
haven�t heard that name since my father was still alive, so having that name
used on me had a profound effect. Sano walked up to me
and took my hands in his and waited until I had steadied myself before he
spoke. He told me I had long ago earned the right to be called Master of the
dojo, and it was time I accepted it.

�And then...� Kaoru�s voice trailed off as she pulled
herself out of the moment and back to the present. She studied Kenshin�s unreadable
features intently. �I don�t have to...,� she began weakly.

�Please, Kaoru-dono, continue,� he said pushing a rurouni
smile to the surface.

Hesitantly, she nodded and returned to the story. �And then
he asked if he could be my partner. I thought he meant in the training of new
students at first, but then he pulled me closer and cupped my chin in his hand.
And he explained that he wanted to be my partner in every way for the rest of
our lives.�

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

�It was awful to watch,� Yahiko said with a shudder.

�Usually Sano acts like this tough guy, but all the sudden
I�m watching him get all weepy over a buso like Kaoru. I had to look away when
she jumped into his arms, and he swung her around the dojo. They were laughing
like little kids. Then they left me in charge of their new class!

�I swear I don�t know what they would do without me,� he
finished proudly.

�I have a pretty good idea,� a mocking female voice sounded
behind him.

A startled Yahiko spun around to see who had spoken. �Oh,
it�s you. What�s up weasel-girl?�

�Don�t call me that, brat!�

�Who are you calling a brat? I�m just as old as you are!�
replied an indigent Yahiko.

�Ever been the leader of your own ninja clan?� she asked,
leaving only a slight pause for his response. �Didn�t think so.�

�Hello, I don�t think we have met.� Yutaro said in the
formal polite way he had of speaking, which had only become more prevalent
during his recent studies in Germany.

Her eyes fell upon Yutaro as though she hadn�t noticed him
standing there previously. �I�m Misao,� she finally replied.

�Yutaro. It is my pleasure.�

Yahiko�s eyes flickered between the two as they awkwardly
smiled and shuffled around in front of each other. Releasing an irritated sigh,
he stalked away mumbling something under his breath about Aoshi being the
leader of the Oniwabanshuu ninja clan not the little weasel girl.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

�Was that the Battousai I saw going into the room your
bride-to-be is hold up in?� Saitou asked simply as he cupped his hand over a
match to light his cigarette.

Sano bristled at the unwelcome question from a man he both
respected and detested. �What is it to you?�

�To me? Nothing. Though I would have thought you would try
harder to keep your woman after you went through all the trouble of stealing
her in the first place.�

If it was possible to literally glare daggers at someone
Saitou would already be dead from the heated stare he was receiving.

�I trust Jou-chan.� Sano growled through clenched teeth,
wondering why he had overridden Kaoru�s concerns over inviting the
confrontational policeman to their wedding after discovering he had lived
through the Kyoto activities.

�I wonder if he would have said the same...about both of
you,� Saitou shot back unapologetically.

Before Sano could react further, a sharp female voice
pierced the tense lull. �Hajime? Hajime, dear, where are you?�

The speaker, a tall dark haired woman, caught sight of her
intended target and was quickly at Saitou�s side. �There you are, my dear!� she
said as she immediately snuggled herself into his arms. �Oh! And there you are
Sagara-san! I am so pleased to finally meet you. Hajime speaks very highly of
you, and he doesn�t often take to people as easily as you might think.� Turning
back to her husband, she added, �Do you sweetie?�

A red faced Saitou avoided the shocked look he knew must be
on Sano�s face. �I think we have taken up enough of Sagara�s time, Tokio.�

�Oh my, yes! You must have a million things to do before the
ceremony. I will talk to you again at the reception. We really must have you
and Kamiya-san over soon!� She said these last words over her shoulder as
Saitou was already pulling her away from the wide-eyed groom.

Sano didn�t move until he felt an affectionate pat on the
shoulder. �I was going to step in to kick his ass so you wouldn�t have to mess
up your clothes on your big day, but that was WAY more entertaining,� Katsu
said with great amusement.

�Thanks, old friend. I appreciate your concern over my
fashion well-being.�

�Hey, anything for the man who ran free advertisements in
his paper to attract students for my girlfriend�s dojo. Oh wait, I did that for
you. Why am I helping you?� Katsu
asked playfully.

�Because you are too ugly to get your own wife.� Sano replied
with a lopsided smile.

�She really is too good for you. I hope you know that.�
Katsu said in way of light-hearted retaliation after delivering a pulled punch
to his taller friend�s shoulder.

�You don�t have to tell me that.� Sano smiled thoughtfully.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

�I�ve really missed this,� Kaoru said softly. She hadn�t
taken her eyes off him since he entered the room for fear that he would simply
disappear again. �I have missed talking to you about my life.� She paused to
keep her voice from cracking. �I have missed having you in my life.�

Kenshin bowed his head allowing his fiery bangs to sweep
over his face, obscuring it from view. �I never wanted to...� His words of
apology were cut off when delicate fingers pressed against his lips.

�Don�t. Please. I think we both know we wish things hadn�t
been so difficult. I wasn�t trying to make you feel bad. I just wanted you to
know that I still care about you as a friend.�

He tried to suppress the chill that raced through his spine
at the word friend. He knew she meant it with the utmost affection, but the
word felt hollow in comparison to the enormity of his emotions. Even after
months of traveling, he found that his thoughts of the sword teacher had not
diminished. He vaguely wondered if time would ever heal the wounds of his heart
when it had not yet managed to heal the scars of his flesh.

Still, he was glad he had returned for her wedding. His
presence was as much to show Kaoru and Sano that he continued to care about
them as it was for himself, as a way to close one chapter in his life, so he
would be free to explore a new one.

Kenshin lightly claimed the hand she had used to silence
him. It looked so pure and clean against his slightly weathered skin. �Everyone
is waiting. We should be making our way to the shrine,� he said solemnly.

She was looking at him with such hope-filled eyes that he
didn�t want to say anything further. He didn�t want to explain that his visit
was just for today, but he knew the sooner he did it the easier it would be for
both of them to cope.

�You should know that after the ceremony I will be leaving
again.� He tried to stabilize his voice, but he found it quite difficult when
her blue eyes glazed over with unshed tears. �There is more I must do, but I
will always return when you need me. I promise.�

And then with a warm expression he added, �And
Kaoru-dono...I missed you too.�

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A distracted Megumi was wistfully gazing across the
courtyard at a tall man with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. When his eyes
shifted to meet hers she rapidly turned away--too rapidly for it to appear
natural.

�Megumi?� asked a curious Sano who had caught the exchange
and could have sworn he had just seen the aloof Aoshi smile.

�Sano!� she said with a flustered degree of surprise, but
recovered quickly. �Where is Kaoru?�

�She and Kenshin are talking inside,� he said simply, still
taking note of the stealthy glances a certain ninja was casting toward the
oblivious Megumi.

�Ken-san is here?� Then with an upraised eyebrow she asked,
�Aren�t you nervous leaving them alone like that before the wedding?�

�Why does everyone keep asking me that? No. I�m not,� he
stated firmly--perhaps a little too firmly.

Megumi looked skeptical for a second, and then relaxed.
�Good. You have nothing to be worried about. The two of you deserve each
other.� Sano was surprised by Megumi�s uncharacteristically generous comment
when she finished by adding, �You are both fools.�

Before he could react she smiled sweetly at him. �I am happy
for you, Sanosuke. I am happy for both of you.� And with that, Sano pulled his
friend, Megumi, into a tight hug.

�Should I be jealous?� asked a smiling Kaoru who just appeared
in the nearby doorway escorted by Kenshin.

�He is all yours, Tanuki. Take good care of him.� A
meaningful smile and nod passed between the two women just as Kenshin turned
toward Sano.

�You understand the consequences if you hurt her, I assume?�
Kenshin asked somewhat coldly.

�Better than you realize.� Sano replied smoothly.

With that the frosty tension melted, and the old friendly
air returned between the two men. To the surprise of all those gathered, Sano
embraced the small sword fighter in a manly hug. After the initial shock wore
off, Kenshin returned the sign of friendship. To his
amazement he realized he really had forgiven the younger fighter for everything
that had happened, and all he really wanted was to have his friend back--both
of his friends.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The ceremony itself was brief, but magical. Even though they
were surrounded by their friends--the people who had come to form their
makeshift family--neither of them had eyes for anyone but each other. The
shrine, the people, the customs all bled away, and all that was left were Kaoru
and Sano taking their vows to be with each other forever. It was such an
abstract concept of time, and yet even when confronted with its endless nature,
Kaoru distinctly thought it just didn�t sound long enough to be with the one
she had chosen--the one she loved.

It was Kenshin that had to break them from their trance-like
state so they could return to the dojo for the reception. The rest of the night
passed in a blur of activity. There was dancing and drinking and eating, and
given the group they had assembled, even a little fighting. But even the
fighting was good natured and didn�t result in anything Megumi couldn�t fix
easily enough.

When the food and sake were gone, and the last guest had
made his way home, only Kaoru and Sano were left. �Ready for bed Mrs. Sagara?�
Sano smiled.

�Mmm, call me that again.� She said while giving him a small
kiss on the cheek.

�Mrs. Sagara,� he said as she placed another kiss on his
nose.

�Mrs. Sagara, are you trying to seduce me?� he asked wryly. Instead
of replying with words, her lips found his, and it was the start of both a
wonderful wedding night and a beautiful life together.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

AUTHOR�S NOTE: It is done! Finished! Over! Oh wait, not
quite over. So that sequel I�ve been mentioning along the way...it takes place
as we look in on Kenshin in his travels. He is trying to mend his heart and obtain
penance for his past when he meets a woman who is also atoning for her past.
You may remember her from a small arc in the anime where the Kenshin-gumi ran
into PIRATES!

Shura the pirate/Kenshin the rurouni. I really feel like
there was a potential spark between these two, and with Kaoru and Sano together
it only seemed fair to give them another chance. The title will be X Marks the Spot (I couldn�t help
myself.) If you want an email from me when it comes out please just let me know
in your review or in a direct email to wastedthoughts @ insightbb.com (remove
spaces.)

Reviewers *sniffle* I love you guys!

FF: BelleDayNight (without you
this story would never have been written), Estelle Stafford (thanks), lolo popoki (that�s awesome. I�m
glad you got into the story!), Silent Tears of Agony (you are so correct!),
Phi-Dono (I am with you. Love triangles seem to be my fanfic
passion. Check out Best of Intentions
by BelleDayNight for a great Kaoru/Aoshi pairing. I
say as I lead you down into the depths of alternate pairings!), Angel6582 (I have
never had the pleasure of playing sims.
Knowing me, I�d get far too addicted, and then I�d never update. I�ve become
bad enough as it is! I am honored to be your only RK story!), Spirit-Wolf of
the Moon (thanks for reading!), InsaneLoneliness
(thanks so much!), Amanda H. (Here is the next chapter. Hopefully I will have
the sequel started in a week or two), brittany8 (I feel bad for Kenshin too,
that is why I was compelled to give him his own sequel), xInfernal
(awww, is it weird that I�m happy I made you cry?
yeah, probably. I�m just excited you were involved in it enough to cry. Thanks
for reading!)

AFF: catti-dono (thanks. I love
getting your reviews), Anon (I like that you felt so intensely about my story
that you took the time to post again when you accidentally posted prematurely
the first time. I had no idea my writing was so powerful), the other Anon (I
really appreciate your support. Thanks :))

MM: Where is the love?
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Crossing the Line

CROSSING THELINE - Chapter 13: The ties that bind...

CROSSING THE
LINE - Chapter 13: The ties that bind...