Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or its characters, and neither do I write for profit.
A/N: This is my first attempt at writing, and I hope you guys will enjoy this piece of work. The story is AU, set in Japan's feudal era, revolving around the lives of almost all characters, the imperial palace, and the treachery within. There will definitely be romance, with the pairings being Akira/Tomoe, Ken/Kao, Sano/Meg, Aoshi/Misao and Yahiko/Tsubame. Due to the settings, some characters may appear OOC at times, but it is all for the story. Enjoy!
Title: All that we lived for
Chapter 1: All is but an illusion
The imperial palace stood in all of its astounding glory, which the refreshing scent of sakura and the lush pink blossoms reminding all that spring was in the air. Magnificent buildings and chambers, hidden by a high wall from the rest of the world, are symbols of the grand life within, where only the noble could enjoy. All wanted to have a taste of that lifestyle, at least, those who have not had a chance to. Parents with good-looking daughters would not hesitate to attempt sending them into the palace as concubines, as it could bring fame, glory and wealth to the family. There were just so many hopefuls out there, those who are too busy admiring the palace's external glory to even sense the treachery and evil lurking within. All they wanted was a place in the imperial harem, be one of those gorgeous concubines decked in the finest of kimonos and accessories, whose hearts only longed for freedom, peace and liberation from the evil.
"If this is a dream, please let me wake up soon…"
"His Majesty arrives!" Empress Tomoe looked up from her musings, before leaving her place at the dressing table to kneel behind the shoji screen, hiding half her face behind her fan. It was a must for all ladies of noble rank to hide their faces from other males, unless they are told specifically to remove it.
The shoji door was slid open gently by her maid-in-waiting, a young girl by the name of Kana.
"My respects to you, Mikado-sama." Tomoe bowed.
"Dispense with ceremony, Empress." Akira replied, never taking his eyes off her, while dismissing his guards with a half-hearted wave of his hand. "It has been a few days since I visited the Central Palace. I hope you're well, Tomoe?"
She could feel the edges of her mouth curl up into a smile…it was so nice hearing him call her by her name when they were alone in the room. She put the fan down, before placing her hands in her lap.
"Yes, I am well. Thank you for your concern, Mikado-sama."
Akira nodded, before continuing, "I saw Tsubame this morning at the garden. Our daughter is getting prettier with each passing day…just like her mother."
"You're flattering me, Mikado-"
"Akira. How many times have I told you to address me as Akira?"
"That would be disrespectful, Mikado-" A disapproving look from him stopped her, before she said softly, "Akira."
He smiled, sitting down in front of her and taking her hands in his, marvelling at the smoothness of her skin. She has been with him for almost 14 years, yet he has never gotten enough of her.
"Arigatou, Tomoe." A questioning look on her face prompted him on. "For giving me a beautiful daughter, for being by my side for so many years."
"Iie, kochira koso." She replied sincerely as he gave her hands a light squeeze.
I'm sorry, Kenshin…Please forgive me…
"Where is Mikado-sama today?"
Kozue shuddered at the hostility in the voice, before replying meekly, "Mi-Mi-Mikado-sama is…is at..at the Central Palace…"
CRASH! All the bottles of perfume and rouge on the dressing table were shoved onto the ground, sending Kozue to her knees in a bowing frenzy.
"I-I'm sorry, Miya-sama! Don't punish me! Kozue is foolish…she knows her mistake…please be appeased!"
Yumi screamed in her rage, throwing everything within reach across the room, her usual perfect hair in a mess, her facial expression irate.
"The Central Palace! What is so good about the Tomoe bitch! In what way am I inferior to her! Why does he only have eyes for her? What about me? What about ME? Haven't I done enough for him? I did so much…I sacrificed so much…I killed my own child because of him! She bore him a daughter…why is she crowned Empress! It is not fair!"
"Miya-sama, please do not speak of it…the Crown Prince might hear it!"
Kozue's pleas seemed to have cut through Yumi's blind fury and awoken rationalism, for Yumi stopped her ranting and gripped both sides of the dressing table, breathing hard, her eyes forced closed in her bid to calm down.
"You're right…Yahiko is all I have left…he is my only chip left…I cannot afford to lose him…My child, My Yahiko…" Yumi reasoned with herself, regaining her composure. I cannot lose at this point…I have come so far…I lost so much…
Yumi sat down at the dressing table, replacing her agitated expression with a calmer one, one that actually strikes more fear in Kozue's heart.
"Kozue. Come over here and arrange my hair. I'll be paying Mikado-sama a visit later on."
"Y..Yes, Miya-sama."
Yahiko is all I have left…as long as I am the mother of the crown prince, there is nothing anyone can do to me…nothing at all…as long as I am his mother…I need someone else on my side against Tomoe…Someone who can rival her beauty, someone who can rival her wits…To get her out of the picture…
Komagata Yumi was slightly taken aback by her own thoughts…It was as if Akuma had taken over her mind and created such vile thoughts…where had the old Yumi gone? The young girl full of dreams, growing up in Aomori where all was so carefree…
At the palace's training grounds:
"Watch it, Sagara! Baka Tori!"
"Stay out of the way then, Itachi!"
Misao planted her spear into the ground, crossing her arms and huffing at the mess on her training garb. Stupid Sano…I should have known when he rode his horse at top speed past me…I am going to take forever to wash the mud off!
Makimachi Misao was only 16, serving in the imperial army, hiding her real gender. Sure, many had commented that she was sissy with her petite frame, but she had shut them up with her excellent skills with the kunai. Her good friends in the palace were Sanosuke Sagara and Princess Kaoru, sister of Akira, who also are the only 2 who knew of her real identity. It had always been her dream to serve in the army, to protect her country, but it was impossible when you are a girl. The training was tough, but there are so many more reasons to enjoy life in the palace, like her friends and…Shinomori Aoshi…
Making her way to the nearest well, Misao took off her external garb, setting out on the task of removing all the muddy stains, her scrubbing actions creating a rhythm, inducing her thoughts to jump to a certain man…
Will he ever notice me? Does he even know that I exi-
"Thinking about a certain General?"
She sighed. "Don't worry, Sagara. It's not you."
"Thank Kami! I wouldn't want YOU thinking of me. It's Shinomori, right?" He pressed on, determined to get a satisfactory answer out of her.
"NO!" Misao yelled a bit too quickly for Sanosuke to be convinced.
"Aha! I was right after all! Just in case you're wondering, he's not betrothed to anyone."
"That has nothing to do with me! I'm just one of his soldiers!" Misao retorted, scrubbing her grab with renewed strength in attempt to conceal her obvious embarrassment.
"I thought we were good friends who could share everything…" Sanosuke feigned a hurt look. "Plus, I have just received word from Yumi no miya that she needs me to escort her on her visit back to Aomori…I'll be away for 3 months…" He turned to go, his mouth twisted in a small smirk as he waited for her answer.
Misao sighed softly in defeat, before adding, "Just don't tell him anything!"
"That wasn't so hard, was it?" He waved goodbye to her. "I'll get you a couple of apples from Aomori, Itachi."
She smiled at his retreating back…He may be always acting tough and crude, but deep down, a kind heart resides.
To be continued…
Author's note: So how did you guys find the story so far? Please review if you like it! For those who are wondering, Tsubame is the daughter of Akira and Tomoe, while Yahiko, who is also Crown Prince, is the son of Akira and Yumi. For those who are worried about incest between the half-siblings, all I can say is to wait for the plot to unfold. Kana and Kozue are my own characters. Other characters like Kenshin, Kaoru, Megumi, Yahiko, Aoshi etc will be making their appearance soon! Till the next chapter:)
Next Chapter:
"Sanosuke stared with awe and disbelief at the sight before him…A woman who looks no more than 22, was treating patients hurt in the gunfire and riots, in a makeshift tent all by herself…"
Glossary:
Mikado-sama: Your Majesty
Miya-sama: Your highness
Arigatou: Thank you
Kochira koso: Me too
Itachi: Weasel
Kami: God