Night of Kupala

For ClubKenshin Let's Celebrate contest : [link]

Idea came to me while reading Sapkovski's Nurrenturm where two youngsters feeling affection for each other suddenly came to a witches' sabbath. Well, in this case it's not a sabbath, but rather a purification rite happening on the Eve of Ivan Kupala. (For more information about Kupala's night please follow the link: [link])

...Guess I still owe a proper explanation. The scene is happening at July 7th (which is Japanese Tanabata and slavic Ivan Kupala's Day). In most beliefs it's the night when human world is connected with the spirit world. For me, it's somehow the time when everything is possible. So it may even be possible for Kenshin and Kaoru to appear on the celebration of the Day of Ivan Kupala ).
I guess it'd be Kaoru that wanted to "prove" their relationship by jumping over the fire. It's something like a future-telling or a test of feelings: a couple should jump over the fire tightly clutching each other's hands, and if their hands part it's sign their love has no future. But, of course, everything ended safely for these two ).
As for Kenshin's haircut, there's no special reason aside the fact that I failed to notice the change in his hairstyle through all the countless re-reads of the manga all the time up until now )). Strange flower-like something on the left is actually a non-existent fern-flower ). And those native clothes aren't really that native, for they're totally made up. But it was fun to draw, so be it.
And also, this is my first drawing at all. It took a HUGE amount of time to complete it (if you can call this a "complete work" =_= ) 'cause I'm not accustomed to drawing at all, so it went on on pure enthusiasm ). I wish I could at least colorize it more appropriately... but time was running out... and I'm still in the middle of moving to a new place... But I do believe this is still better than nothing ).