AN (Author's Note): This is my first time writing a story so no cruel reviews please ^^" arigato!
Oh yea… I'm not very good with dialogue so I'm sorry! ^^"
Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is not mine. Nor is the story Cinderella or Ella Enchanted or Ever after. (Which is all a version of Cinderella, and if you don't like it then don't read)
-Chapter 1-
Kaoru woke up smiling, remembering the dream she had.
She was sitting by the riverside, humming quietly to herself while enjoying the fresh morning air.
The forest around her was bustling. Animals were scurrying about, looking for a morning meal. Birds chirped in their nests, squirrels peeked out of their holes, and deer were wandering about, nibbling on the soft green grass beneath their feet.
The warm shone brightly on her face, and the breeze was light. It skittered lightly across her face and hands. She smiled lightly at the simple joy she was having right now.
She listened intently, and heard insects making small noises, squirrels nibbling on this and that, running about. A bird's wings fluttered for a moment, then followed by a few more flutters and it was silent again.
She heard footsteps and turned around, only to find the prince himself standing before her. Quickly, she rose up to curtsy for the prince.
He had the most handsome eyes. They were a soft, gentle violet. His long red hair swayed gently in the wind.
As soon as she curtsied, the prince cupped his hand under her chin and lifted her face toward his own.
She felt her eyes close and her heart beat faster and faster as his face got closer. She took in a breath and she was so close to him that she could feel his warmth.
Kaoru was about to kiss the prince, only to find herself waken up by her step-mom. She opened her big stunning sapphire eyes as she sat up and looked about.
Kaoru frowned, but smiled once she got to look outside and see what a beautiful day it was.
She lazily got up, only to quicken her step once she heard her step-mom's impatient voice. Still, she kept the smile on her face, determined not to have her step-mom ruin her day.
Her step-mom yelled for her to get up and start serving breakfast.
She didn't want to get whipped again. She planned that that day she would go out and have fun since it was such a warm sunny day. The wind was blowing gently outside, and she figured it was one of those days perfect for swimming in the lake.
Of course she had to make an excuse so that her step-mom wouldn't suspect anything.
Gathering the food that the cook had already prepared, Kaoru walked into the dining room careful not to trip on the finely embroidered run beneath her.
Her step-mom frowned when she saw Kaoru. As usual, she threw a few dirty words at her.
"You good for nothing wench! Next time get up earlier or else you won't be getting a day's meal! And if I feel like it, maybe not even for a whole week," her step-mom said smugly.
Kaoru smiled in spite of the fact that she wanted to punch her. She knew that if she wanted to go out that day she would have to obey so she pasted a smile on her face and left the room.
Once out of her step-mom's sight she started cursing under her breath. Her step-mom rang the bell, telling her that she and her two daughters (Kaoru's step-sisters) were ready for the next meal.
Once again Kaoru pasted back that smile and gathered the food and went into the dining room once more.
After she was done serving breakfast, she grabbed a roll from the kitchen and ran outside to meet her best friend Misao.
Misao was waiting for her by the bridge, already eating her own roll that she snagged.
When Kaoru finally got to Misao, she sat next to her starting to eat her own roll.
Kaoru took in a deep breath, relaxing in the warm rays of the sun. The breeze blew gently, and Kaoru closed her eyes for a moment. She felt the wind blow at her hair, causing it to sway slightly.
She sighed and looked at the house. It brought back so many memories.
"Daddy! Mommy! Come play with me!" the little girl with bright blue eyes and black shoulder length hair called at two people inside a brick mansion. The little girl fell down onto the grass, breathing in deeply.
It was one of those perfect days, and the little girl gleefully played around in the sun. She sat down next to the bridge to look at the mansion.
It was 5 stories high, windows in neat rows, each with the same curtains. Some windows were open with the curtains blowing out in the breeze.
Others were closed, sometimes revealing the room within, sometimes hiding it.
Kaoru opened her eyes, tears forming behind her eyes. She missed her mom and dad.
Her mom died when Kaoru was only a child, and her father died from illness.
Before her father died though, he had married to a widower with two children, hoping that they could keep Kaoru company…
Kaoru looked back at the house, which looked just like it did just a few years ago.
Misao noticed that Kaoru wasn't speaking, so she waved her hand in front of Kaoru's face while asking if she was ok.
Kaoru, just noticing Misao blinked back her tears and greeted Misao.
"Ohaiyo Misao."
"Ohaiyo Kaoru!" answered Misao energetically.
Kaoru smiled. Misao was always energetic, and she always had these big child-like eyes, even though she was the same age as Kaoru. (Which was about 17)
They ate their rolls together as they chatted happily.
"I think I'm going to lie to my step-mom and go by the river today. Want to come Misao?" asked Kaoru.
"Sure! Why not? I mean, it sure is a beautiful day!" replied Misao.
"Yeah! It sure is… which reminds me of this dream I had. I was by the creek when the prince walked up behind me and then when I rose he was about to kiss me but then my step-mom interrupted me. And, my god Misao, he had the most gorgeous eyes! When I looked into them I practically melted!"
"Hehe… *giggles* well it sounds like you had a good night's sleep."
"Stop teasing Misao!"
"Alright, alright. I had a dream yesterday night too. But it was about Aoshi. *gets a dreamy look* He is so handsome! Too bad he's a Knight."
"Yeah, no use dreaming about those we can't have."
"Who knows Kaoru? I mean, the prince could have a ball and you could go and you two could fall in love. I mean, you're really pretty! A nice pale face, dark pink lips, jet black hair… Heck, you could pass for a princess!"
"Haha, that would be nice…" Kaoru said as she closed her eyes, getting lost in a daydream.
Just then she felt a rock pelt her head.
Kaoru gave a small yell and opened her eyes and looked around for the person who threw that rock.
Misao noticed Kaoru yelled and asked her what was wrong.
"Someone hit me in the head with a rock. Probably that stupid little obnoxious boy, Yahiko," explained Kaoru.
"Oh! I see him Kaoru! Behind that tree," pointed Misao.
She pointed at a small boy with dark messy hair, laughing behind the branches of the ancient weeping willow.
Kaoru thanked Misao and ran toward Yahiko.
He saw her and bolted for the basement, but tripped over some jagged rocks.
Kaoru smiled and stopped when she reached him, laughing.
"Haha! Serves you right you little brat!"
Yahiko glared at Kaoru and yelled, "I'm not little you old hag!"
Kaoru stopped laughing, and just as she was about to start to teach Yahiko a lesson she heard the cook yelling at her to come back inside.
"The mistress wants you to start your chores! Hurry before she gets even more angry!"
As soon as Kaoru heard her she bolted for the door, right after she threatened Yahiko to never do it again or else she'd tell Tae that he had a crush on her.
Yahiko gulped and blushed ferociously. "I DON'T LIKE HER BUSU!!!" Yahiko yelled as Kaoru ran full speed for the mansion. If it wasn't for the fact that her step-mom was calling her Kaoru would've immediately turned around and punched Yahiko but she didn't have the time.
When Kaoru reached the old brick mansion, she took in a sharp gasp, unable to believe what she saw…
To be continued…
Hehe… I know it's not very good but please tell me what you think. I would really appreciate it if you didn't say anything mean. Depending on the reviews I'll see if I'll continue the story. I hope you like it so far! ^^"