Awakenings

Disclaimer: We bring nothing into this world, and we take nothing with us when we depart. Simply put: Rurouni Kenshin is not mine. The smutty ideas are all mine, but I don’t think anyone would pay me for them.

Warnings: Lemony goodness!

A/N My musical inspiration for this chapter: Lose Control, and, Good Enough, both by Evanescence, also If You‘re Not The One by Daniel Bedingfield. (I got the idea to post my musical inspiration from Iram at FFN, she writes amazing stories, go check her out if you haven't already) Enjoy!

Previously

“I feel fine, Kenshin. Um, I guess what I really want to know, is what happened when we went for our walk? I, uh, can’t seem to remember, um, everything. Could you tell me?” She cleared her throat nervously, then looked up straight into Kenshin’s steel-blue eyes. ‘Wait, blue?!’

He was standing inches away from her and she hadn’t even heard him move. She flinched slightly at his sudden nearness, then met his gaze and waited for him to speak.

“You don’t remember?” He asked softly. He reached up and pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. Unable to speak, Kaoru simply shook her head.

“Do you want me to tell you what happened?” He asked as he looked down and took her hand in his. Kaoru inhaled sharply when he looked back up at her with solid amber eyes. He stepped closer until he was pressed against her, and his other hand went to circle the small of her back. Kaoru swallowed nervously.

“Perhaps it would be better if I showed you” he said as he pressed a kiss to her hand.

“Then” he said in a husky voice, with his eyes intent on her lips, “you must fulfill your promise of showing me how you like to be touched.”

End of chapter 5

Awakenings

By EmbersOfAmber

Chapter 6

Fulfillment

Kaoru was sure her heart was going to burst right out of her chest at any second, it was hammering away with such force. This was what she had dreamed of, wished for, longed for, but then, why was she suddenly afraid? He was looking at her with such intensity. Was she even capable of matching such a man?

“I-I-I….” ‘I can’t even speak!’ She looked up at Kenshin with all the uncertainty showing in her blue eyes.

He took in Kaoru’s trembling form and the fear in her eyes, and felt a pang of guilt.

‘Baka! She is an innocent young woman, I can’t just throw her down and ravish her.’

Kenshin pulled Kaoru’s head to rest against his chest, and rubbed her back soothingly.

“Please forgive sessha, Kaoru-dono. Sessha didn’t mean to frighten you.”

‘Oh no! Not back to Kaoru-dono!’ she thought desperately. Pushing away from the comfort of his arms, she sought his eyes. She was met with an open tenderness in his violet gaze, and she felt all the tension leave her as she exhaled.

“There is nothing to forgive, Kenshin.” She smiled up at him.

Kenshin took her hand and led her to the steps of the dojo, where he sat, then surprised Kaoru by scooping her into his lap. She wound her arms around his neck. Her fingers fidgeted with the neckline of his gi.

“Exactly what happened last night? I didn’t miss anything good, did I?” she joked.

Kenshin chuckled, and Kaoru grinned at him. Looking into her eyes lovingly, Kenshin caught her chin and pulled her mouth to his in a gentle kiss. Releasing her, he leaned back to look at her again.

“That is what happened last night.” he said, watching her face somewhat anxiously.

“So, it wasn’t a dream, after all” she murmured. She suddenly paled and slapped her hand over her mouth in horror. “Mou! I really did say that to you, didn’t I?! Were you…shocked?” Kaoru asked in a small voice.

Kenshin smiled with a mischievous gleam in his eyes “Sessha was very pleasantly surprised.”

Kaoru blushed and looked away. “I wonder why I felt so strange?” Kaoru furrowed her brow in puzzlement.

“You had a reaction to Megumi-dono’s tea. We both did, but sessha was not as affected by it. Sessha went to speak to Megumi-dono about it this morning. She gave sessha a different type of tea to use as a sleep aid.”

“I see.” she said, but her attention was on his face. Eyes moving lovingly over his features and coming to rest on his mouth. Her lips parted in a soft sigh, and suddenly Kenshin was kissing her again. His mouth moved tenderly against hers, kissing her softly. Her hands gripped his shoulders, as one of his embraced the small of her back and the other rested against her throat.

Kaoru felt the familiar thrill she always experienced when she was with Kenshin; but more focused and intense. A pleasant shiver ran up her spine as Kenshin’s tongue entered her mouth, seeking her own. She responded eagerly, and they each enjoyed the unique flavor of the other.

Kenshin drew back reluctantly and watched as Kaoru’s eyes fluttered open, looking dazed. He stroked his thumb along the line of her jaw, and they simply shared a quiet moment of togetherness.

Finally, Kenshin spoke, “Kaoru, since I first came to stay with you, I have always been amazed by how you go out of your way to care for others. The selflessness you have always shown.”

Kaoru ducked her head in embarrassment at his words of praise, as he continued speaking.

“Yet there isn’t anyone to care for your needs or dry your tears when you cry.”

Kaoru looked into his earnest face in wonder. Kenshin took a deep breath.

“Sessha wants to be the one to care for you and protect you- always. Let this unworthy one love you. Kaoru…. marry me?” he asked hopefully.

Her smile was like the dawning of a thousand suns, and Kenshin answered with a smile of his own. She was amazed at the happiness and love that shone from his face. No guilt or sorrow was reflected in his eyes, but pure joy. Kaoru felt she had been given a rare gift- a glimpse into the true beauty of his soul.

“Oh, Kenshin,” she choked, “of course I’ll marry you, it’s what I’ve always wanted. You make me so happy!” She hugged him fiercely.

“I love you.” she whispered in his ear, before she covered his face in tiny kisses. Kaoru felt like a butterfly breaking out of a cocoon, so long she had kept the words bottled up inside of her. She laughed in delight at finally being able to express her love for such a dear man.

Kenshin lifted her off his lap, then stood and took her in his arms. He kissed Kaoru with all the love he possessed, and she answered him eagerly, clinging to him. He kissed her cheek, then moved down to kiss the delicate skin of her throat. Kaoru leaned into him fully, seeking as much contact as possible. He nibbled softly at her neck, and she moaned before her hands found the bare skin of his chest, diving inside his gi to discover more.

Kenshin suddenly looked up, then catching Kaoru’s hands in his, he stepped back from her and released her hands.

Kaoru looked at him in confusion. “Yahiko” he said quietly. They both turned just before Yahiko strode into the yard.

“Oi, busu!” Yahiko called. “Hey Kenshin” he added.

“Yahiko” Kenshin acknowledged with a slightly strained smile.

“Hmph, Yahiko-chan, I think there is a dojo floor waiting to be wiped down.” Kaoru huffed irritably. She was greatly annoyed at being interrupted.

“Sorry, no time today. I just came to tell you that I won’t be able to make it to practice for the next couple of days. Tae needs me to help with the day shift, since one of the girls is sick.”

Kaoru smiled wickedly. “Of course, you wouldn’t want to miss an opportunity to work with Tsubame-chan, right?”

“Work is work, busu” Yahiko answered with a scowl, but his blush proved the truth of Kaoru’s words.

Yahiko turned to walk away with a small wave, “See ya later.” he called.

Kenshin watched him walk away, then turned to Kaoru.

“I need to go into town for a bit. Perhaps you would like to come along and visit with Tae and discuss arrangements?” Kenshin knew Kaoru would burst if she didn’t tell someone soon, and he had received a message from Chief Uramura, and wanted to find out what he needed.

“Oh yes, Kenshin, that would be perfect! Let me just change quickly” Kaoru called out as she dashed to her room.

Kenshin smiled as he watched her go. This was turning out to be a very good day.

XXX XXX XXX

Kenshin watched Kaoru disappear into the Akabeko before he turned to walk to the police station. He was filled with a pleasant anticipation that only seemed to grow as the day wore on.

He opened the door and entered the station, nodding politely to a number of the officers he had met.

He was shown directly into Uramura’s office, where they began to discuss the business at hand.

XXX XXX XXX

Kaoru sat at a table with Tae as they both sipped cups of steaming hot tea.

“Kaoru-chan, I’m so excited!” Tae gushed. “I will see to all the food for your celebration. How soon do you think it will be?”

“I’m not really sure, Kenshin and I haven’t gotten around to discussing that yet” Kaoru laughed.

“I think you should go to the shrine as soon as possible. You don’t want to give him time to change his mind, do you? Then we could plan the party after that.”

“Tae!” Kaoru cried in shock. Kenshin wouldn’t change his mind, would he? Just the same, it couldn’t hurt to head to the shrine sooner rather than later, Kaoru reasoned.

“Now, I think you should get a new kimono for the occasion, and this is what I was thinking of serving…….”

XXX XXX XXX

Kenshin bowed to Chief Uramura, then turned to walk out of the office when he sensed a familiar presence. Kenshin looked up to see Saitou walking down the stairway, headed in his direction.

Saitou smirked and walked up to Kenshin, then withdrew a cigarette and lit it. He took a deep drag and exhaled a cloud of smoke.

“So, Battousai, I’m surprised to see you without your little tanuki tagging along. Where is she?”

Kenshin cocked his head and rested a hand on the hilt of his sword before answering.

“Kaoru-dono is visiting a friend.” he said, narrowing his eyes slightly.

“Ah, yes, she has been doing quite a bit of that lately, hasn’t she? Tokio seems to have developed quite a fondness for Kamiya. You can never tell what will come of gossiping women though. Watch your back, Battousai.” Saitou said with a cocky grin before turning to walk away.

“Saitou” Kenshin called, “please tell Tokio-dono….thank you.”

Saitou turned to look at him with a curious expression, then threw his head back and laughed. As he walked away his mocking laughter floated behind him.

“Damn wolf” Kenshin muttered under his breath.

XXX XXX XXX

Kaoru walked out of the Akabeko beaming, and Kenshin reached to take the packages out of her arms.

“Tae gave us dinner, so we won’t have to cook tonight. She is very excited, and wants to supply all the food for our celebration. When do you think we will go to the shrine, because Tae said after we do, she will plan everything for the party. She also thinks I need a new kimono, although I think I can use one of my mother‘s kimonos that is still very beautiful. Maybe you should get new clothes before the party. I wonder if there is something in my father‘s trunk that might fit you?” Kaoru babbled.

Kenshin looked at her from the corner of his eye as they were walking. She was an animated bundle of happy energy, and the sight of her made him smile. She positively glowed.

“I thought I would let you decide. Do you want to wait for a while, or would you prefer to be married right away?”

Kaoru scowled. “Why should we have to wait? I’ve already waited long enough. Do you want to wait?” She looked at him with pleading eyes.

Kenshin laughed. “No, my love, I would rather not wait, but I wanted you to have a choice. We both seem to be free tomorrow, if that is soon enough for you?” he asked with a wink.

Kaoru blushed and looked away, suddenly embarrassed by her outburst.

Seeing no one else on the path, Kenshin reached out and laced his fingers with hers, then brought her hand to his mouth to brush a kiss against her knuckles.

‘Tomorrow I will be married to Kenshin. Kaoru thought with excitement. ‘But what about tonight?’ She looked over at Kenshin with a gleam in her eye and a small smile on her lips.

Kenshin caught the look, and smiled back. ‘Hmm, I wonder what she is planning now? I suppose I will find out soon enough.’

XXX XXX XXX

Kaoru and Kenshin shared a very pleasant meal with Kaoru talking happily about what she and Tae discussed, and Kenshin contentedly listening and offering the occasional comment. Afterwards, they cleaned up together, and Kenshin went to start the fire for Kaoru’s bath.

Kenshin heard Kaoru enter the bath house, and he continued stoking the fire for a few more minutes to ensure the water would be warm enough. He had just started walking back towards the house when Kaoru‘s ear-splitting scream rent the air. Adrenalin pumping and every muscle at the ready, he was at the door of the bath house in an instant, when Kaoru screamed again.

“Kenshiiiin!!!”

He ripped the door open, more than ready to eliminate any threat to his beloved, when he froze at the scene before him. Kaoru was balancing on the bathing stool wearing nothing but a small towel, while a very large spider was crawling straight towards her.

“Kenshin, kill it!” Kaoru screamed again, clearly in a panic.

He reached for an empty bucket off to one side, quickly killed the spider and disposed of it. Kaoru breathed a sigh of relief , as she stepped down from the stool.

Kenshin suppressed the smile that tugged at his mouth as he returned the bucket to its original place. He had no idea Kaoru was terrified of spiders. She had not hesitated to take on the Battousai or any other opponent, but a spider had her quaking in fear. The idea was strangely endearing- and funny.

Kenshin chanced another glimpse at Kaoru who had sat on the stool clutching the towel closed. Her legs stretched in front of her as she breathed in great gulps of air with her eyes shut tightly. Kaoru peeked at him, then turned to glare.

“You better not tell anyone about this, Kenshin Himura, or I’ll beat you senseless! A spider woke me as it crawled over my face when I was a child, and I‘ve been scared of them ever since.” She looked around uncertainly.

“Um, Kenshin, could you make sure there aren’t any others in here?”

“Would you like sessha to stay and guard you?” he asked, with a teasing smile.

“Ok” she agreed happily. She knew no spider could torment her with Kenshin in the room, no matter how large or hairy it was.

Kenshin lost his smile and swallowed against a suddenly dry throat. He hadn’t actually thought Kaoru would take his offer seriously. He had expected her to start screaming hentai at him, and hit him with the first available object. He wasn’t sure how long he could be expected to control himself in the same room as a nude Kaoru. Especially with all the skin he had just gotten such a good look at.

He turned his back to Kaoru, and scanned the corners of the room for other eight-legged enemies. He heard the sounds of her washing, and the delicate smell of jasmine wafted over to him. He sniffed appreciatively and sighed. He shifted his weight, then heard the splash of Kaoru settling into the furo.

Kaoru regarded Kenshin standing stiffly near the door and smiled wickedly.

“Kenshin, come and sit with me” she said as she laid her chin on her hands that were resting on the edge of the furo.

He glanced cautiously over his shoulder at her, then retrieving the stool, he came and sat near her, looking decidedly uncomfortable.

Kaoru reached out for his hand, and laced her fingers with his. She leaned back, slipping deeper into the warm water and sighed contentedly.

“Do you want to move into my room with me, or do your prefer I move into your room?” She asked as she idly ran her thumb over his fingertips.

“Why don’t we use your room? Sessha has very little to move, and sessha is sure you prefer it.”

He was desperately trying to keep his eyes fastened on hers, but with his peripheral vision he could see her bare shoulders and the swell of a breast rising above the water. He decided it was too much, and simply closed his eyes, blocking out the sight of temptation. Soon he could look all he wanted. The thought brought a feral smile to his lips.

Kaoru tugged on his hand, and he opened his eyes to glance at her as she regarded him with a smug smile.

“Kenshin, could you hand me my towel?”

He reached slightly behind him to grab her towel as he heard the water splash. Kenshin turned to be met with the sight of the back of a very naked Kaoru who was standing up and wringing the water from her hair. He stopped breathing as his eyes traveled over her bare back and bottom as the movements of her arms caused the muscles to shift under her alabaster skin. Desire hit him like a punch in the gut, and he rose quickly to wrap the towel around Kaoru and lift her out of the bath.

He stood perfectly still with his arms around Kaoru as he tried to get his breathing under control. He lowered his head to her shoulder and pressed his lips to her jasmine scented skin. He made no further movement, and Kaoru shifted in his arms to look at him.

“Kenshin, why don’t you stay and take your bath while the water is warm, and then you can join me in our room” she said, then pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth before walking out.

‘our room….thank you Kami-sama’ Kenshin thought as he took the quickest bath of his life.

XXX XXX XXX

Kaoru sat in her bedroom, humming to herself in the muted light of the single candle she had lit. She took her brush from her low dressing table, and began pulling it through her damp locks when she felt Kenshin’s hand on hers, removing the brush. She smiled and closed her eyes as he began brushing her hair, relaxing fully into his gentle touch.

Just as she was starting to feel drowsy, Kenshin placed the brush back on the table and slowly ran his fingers through her silken hair. Turning slightly to look at him, Kaoru came face to face with the passion-filled gaze of Kenshin Himura. His eyes were a steel-blue, and a small smile tugged at his mouth. Like Kaoru, he was dressed only in a sleeping yukata, and his hair hung loose, running over his back and shoulders like a crimson waterfall.

‘This is it, this is finally going to happen’ Kaoru thought, and felt her heart accelerate with anticipation.

Kenshin pulled her back against him and wrapped an arm around her waist, while his other hand pushed her hair over her shoulder to expose her neck. He leaned down to kiss the creamy skin and his breath fanned over her neck and ear, causing her to shudder. He pulled the yukata off of her shoulder so his wandering lips could claim more of her.

Kaoru soon grew impatient with her inability to touch him, and turned to face him. Reaching out to run her own fingers through his fiery locks, she marveled at the soft yet slightly coarse feel of his hair. She had long had a secret desire to touch his hair in such an intimate way.

“Do you know how long I have wanted to do that?” she asked, once again enjoying the feel of his locks slipping through her fingers.

“Perhaps as long as I have wanted to do this” he murmured, as he untied her sash and slipped her robe over her shoulders, baring her breasts to his hungry gaze. She felt a blush color her cheeks, but she continued to watch him looking at her, amazed that he seemed to be so affected by the mere sight of her.

Kenshin’s breath quickened and his mouth opened slightly as he studied the beauty no other man had ever looked upon. He reached a hand out and covered a breast in his warm grasp. Kaoru gasped at the onslaught of sensations, causing a throbbing ache to pool low in her belly.

She slid her hand up his arm to cover his hand with hers and he squeezed lightly. She closed her eyes to concentrate on the feelings Kenshin was creating in her. He leaned forward and covered her mouth with his, kissing her deeply, his tongue sliding sensuously over hers, encouraging her response.

Kaoru reached out to untie the sash on Kenshin’s robe, then slid it off his shoulders and down his arms. He assisted her, then liberated her from her own robe, allowing it to fall and rest loosely on her thighs. Tangling both hands in her inky locks, he once again claimed her with a kiss, tasting her again and again, then running his tongue over her mouth. Kaoru sighed as his lips traveled down her neck to her shoulder, leaving a trail of fire.

Never one to sit idly by, Kaoru allowed her hands to learn the feel of his taut stomach and lean but defined chest, before coming to rest on the corded muscles of his shoulders. His skin was so incredibly hot under her curious fingers. She kissed Kenshin’s neck, then caught his earlobe between her teeth before sucking gently, releasing a warm breath into his ear. He shuddered and then groaned as she bit his neck, then sucked his skin into her mouth. Kaoru breathed deeply, reveling in Kenshin's scent and the soft brush of his hair against her face.

Reaching for her hands, Kenshin stood, pulling Kaoru up with him. Their discarded robes surrounded them in a circle of fabric on the floor. Before Kaoru could satisfy her curiosity as to what Kenshin looked like naked, he pulled her against him. Her gasp mirrored his groan as they both reacted to the feel of the hot press of skin against skin. Kenshin slid his hands down her back to firmly grasp her bottom, making her more aware of his stiff arousal crushed against her belly.

He placed a fiery kiss on her shoulder, then pressed another to her neck, before lifting her in his arms and carrying her to the futon. He kicked it open with his foot, then knelt to lay her down. He leaned back and drank in the sight of her naked body in the flickering light of the candle. Shyly, Kaoru allowed her own eyes to travel over Kenshin’s lean form. She had never seen an aroused man before, and the sight was at once shocking and exciting.

Lifting her sapphire gaze to his steel-blue one, she held a hand out to beckon him. He laid down next to her and took her in his arms. Feathering kisses over her jaw, he whispered in her ear, “You are even more beautiful than I imagined, I can’t believe you are mine.”

A breathy moan was the only response Kaoru could manage as Kenshin’s thumb stroked her nipple. Continuing his exploration, he kissed her collarbone, then kissed the top of an alabaster breast, pausing long enough to leave a love bite. Kaoru moved restlessly beneath him, wanting more of his touch. She cried out as Kenshin’s lips closed on her nipple, suckling her deep into the wet warmth of his mouth. His tongue swirled around the sensitive peak, causing a new throbbing between her legs.

Kaoru gripped his shoulders as she arched against his mouth. He looked up to take in her flushed face and passion-darkened eyes, as he moved to the other breast to give it equal treatment. Creating a path of heated flesh with his mouth, Kenshin moved to her flat belly to nip and suck, leaving another love bite behind. Kaoru was in a fever of desire due to his attentions, and decided it was time to gently encourage him in the right direction. Removing the hand that was stroking her breast, she moved it down to press firmly against the wet heat of her womanhood.

Kenshin looked up at her, somewhat surprised by her boldness. She smiled back at him.

“I did promise, didn’t I? I can hardly go back on my word” she said mischievously.

Kenshin laughed softly before nipping her hipbone with his teeth, causing her to yelp.

He slid his fingers between her moist folds, brushing over her nub of pleasure causing her to moan loudly. Kenshin watched her face as he touched her, discovering exactly which touches brought her the greatest pleasure, and repeating those. Lowering his lips back to her belly, he moved down to replace his hand with his mouth, wanting to taste her fully.

Kaoru twisted her fingers in the blanket as Kenshin touched her with his fingers, then arched her back in ecstasy when she felt the velvet of his tongue replace his hand. He continued to worship her with his tongue, but when he slipped a finger inside her hitting a certain spot, Kaoru was lost to the pleasure. Digging her fingers into his long, crimson locks, she cried his name as she surrendered herself to the earth-shattering climax he brought her to.

When her body stopped shaking, Kenshin kissed her womanhood and removed his finger from inside of her so he could lie next to her, and gather her in his arms. She moved to lay her head on his chest, and looked into his smiling face. He was clearly very pleased at what he had just accomplished.

Kaoru ducked her head, and observed his erect manhood again. Extending her hand towards his erection, she touched him tentatively, then with more confidence when she heard his quick intake of breath and felt his hand tighten on her shoulder. She ran her fingers over him lightly, then gripped him, running her thumb loosely over the velvety skin of the tip. Kaoru glanced up at Kenshin to see how he was tolerating her curiosity. He gave her a slight smile, but his eyes fairly crackled with barely leashed desire.

She shivered, then with Tokio’s instructions ringing in her mind, she moved down to take him in her mouth, running her tongue over him first, to learn the taste and texture. Enjoying it, she moved to take him in her mouth fully, then pulled back while using gentle suction, carefully running her tongue over the tip of his erection. Kenshin released a strangled groan as she took him in even more deeply the second time. She pulled back again, gently scraping her teeth on his most sensitive part.

Kenshin reached down and cupped her jaw, moving her up and away from where she was giving him such sweet pleasure- anymore and he would lose all control. He had other things in mind, which would be impossible if he allowed her to continue.

She pouted at him for interrupting her experiment, but he took it as an invitation and sucked her bottom lip into his mouth, running his tongue over it. Soon, she was returning his passionate kisses, and his eyes widened as her hand found his nipple and gently squeezed before running her fingertips over the stiffened peak. Kaoru certainly seemed to know what she was doing, and he didn’t know if he should be shocked or impressed. Perhaps a bit of both.

Kaoru sat up and straddled his hips, leaning over to kiss him, and he reached down to touch her womanhood, marveling at how wet she was. Grasping her shoulders to encourage her to lie beside him again, he was stunned to feel her take him in her hand and place his tip at her entrance. Moving down, she sheathed him slowly taking him fully inside of her, letting out a breathy moan in the process. Temporarily rendered speechless by the feel of her silken heat surrounding him, Kenshin finally found his voice.

“Kaoru? Are you hurt, did I..”

“No,” she replied, looking up to smile reassuringly, “a slight twinge, but it really doesn’t hurt that much. Isn’t is supposed to?” she asked with a frown.

Kenshin rolled them over in one movement without breaking contact with her. He was more than ready to take control again. Kaoru blinked at him, surprised to suddenly find herself beneath him.

“I suppose every woman has a different experience. Perhaps proper preparation prevents the pain” he suggested with a slightly smug smile.

Kaoru giggled, then promptly fell silent as Kenshin withdrew and then thrust back in slowly. Allowing her expressive face to be his guide, he adjusted his angle until his thrusts brought a moan spilling from her lips. Satisfied that he was giving her pleasure, he allowed his mind to fully register the tight, velvet heat gripping him. He leaned forward to capture her mouth again, wanting to be one with her in as many ways as possible.

Kaoru was enjoying the wonderful fullness of Kenshin moving inside her. She had not realized how easily he could dispel the terrible burning ache, and build a pleasurable fire instead. Shocks of delight ran through her with each thrust, and she met his movements with her own.

Panting slightly, Kenshin increased the speed of his thrusts; both of their bodies now slick with a fine sheen of sweet. The glow of the candle bathed the room in dim warmth, and the shadows on the wall mirrored their primitive dance.

Kaoru wrapped her legs around Kenshin, seeking to bring him closer. He thrust more urgently as her cries grew in volume and became more frequent. He slipped his hand underneath her and gripped her bottom, tilting her hips slightly and increasing the sensations. Kenshin clenched his jaw against the rising tide threatening to overwhelm him, determined to make a memory of delight for his beloved. He brought his free hand down to rub her pleasure bud.

Kaoru sank her nails into his shoulders in unconscious reaction to their lovemaking.

“Ken- ahhh!” she cried, throwing her head back, before her body dissolved in waves of ecstasy.

Kaoru’s body gripped him over and over in a desperate seeking, and eager to answer, he thrust into her silken heat once more. Kenshin called her name as he shuddered with the strength of his release, and flooded her with his essence.

Kenshin slumped on top of her as they both panted, attempting to regain their breath from the recent exertion. Reaching over, he drug the blanket across them, concerned that Kaoru not take a chill as she cooled down. Reluctantly, he slipped out of her, then turned to pull her into his arms so he could hold her as they basked in the afterglow of their lovemaking.

“Kenshin?” Kaoru questioned in a sleepy voice as she looked up at him.

“Yes, koi?” he responded with a tender smile.

“That was better than any of my dreams.”

“Really? From the sound of them, I thought you had some that I would have liked to have participated in” he said with a straight face.

Kaoru pushed up onto an elbow to fully look at him. He wasn’t smiling, but his violet eyes were dancing with mischief. She smacked him on the chest in mock anger.

“Mou! Kenshin, were you listening outside my door at night?”

“I didn’t have to koi, I could hear you from my room” he said with a grin.

Kaoru gaped in astonishment, but quickly recovered, narrowing her eyes.

“Don’t look so smug Himura-sama, I wasn’t the only one having such loud dreams.”

She smirked at Kenshin’s look of surprise, then yelped as he pinched her bottom playfully.

“This unworthy one suggests we call a truce. It would be to our mutual benefit to share our dreams. Then” he drawled, “we can work on reenacting them.”

Kaoru shrieked as Kenshin suddenly flipped them over again in one swift movement.

Kenshin bent down to press a tender kiss to Kaoru’s lips, then leaned back to admire her beautiful face. Pushing stray locks of hair behind her ears, he smiled into her sparkling eyes with his soft violet ones.

“I love you, koi. You have given this unworthy one great happiness.”

Kenshin intended to spend the rest of the night returning the favor.

End of chapter 6

A/N Please hang in there a little longer, I have an epilogue coming up to tie everything together. If you were even mildly entertained, please let me know by reviewing. Thanks to everyone that took time to read this unworthy one’s work, whether you review or not. (Sorry, I think I’m still channeling Kenshin!)

Oh yes, one more note concerning Kenshin's eye color: I just love the idea of someone's eye color changing based on their emotional state. I really like the amber-Battousai eyes, but in the anime, Kenshin never reverts to Battousai after receiving the succession technique from Hiko. So, when he gets angry or intense after that, his eyes go a steely-blue color. I ultimately decided to leave his eyes that color for his more passionate mood in this chapter, then back to his usual violet. Sorry for any confusion! Last thing, I don't know if anyone noticed the absence of sessha's during the lovemaking or not, but the Kenshin in my head decided he really didn't feel unworthy while he was in the middle of taking care of Kaoru. Wonder why?? (grin)