Summery: Kaoru is a princess who's trapped behind the palace walls, when she meets someone one day what will happen and how twisted will fate be. Sorry I suck at summaries.
AN: This is one of my first fics. Actually, there area a total of three that are going to be submitted at the same time. They have been bugging me for long so please read and enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for the plot and maybe some characters that I made up but they are not going to appear now.
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The day and night mingled as one. Kaoru was born under a blue moon, a good omen the priests said. They predicted that she had a great purpose in life.
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Aoshi was a very happy 6 year-old. The prince was never as excited as he was today. He had finally gotten what he had wished to the gods and goddesses for a long time: a sister. He hung over her beautiful wooden cradle, embroidered with fairies, flowers, and butterflies. What he saw was the most beautiful thing in all of earth. His sister, Kamiya Kaoru was a magnificent work of art. She had brilliant blue eyes and jet raven hair that famed the most innocent and cute face Aoshi had ever seen. He put his hand over the cradle in an attempt to touch her when she caught is finger in her tiny hands, laughing. Peace spread over his face. At that moment Aoshi promised himself that he would always protect his sister and keep her happy.
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Six years had passed after Kaoru's birth when their parents passed away. Both had gone to war that had raged on with the other Kingdoms. Their father had asked their mother to stay at the palace but after a terrible nightmare and when no word arrived about him for days, the Queen got anxious and rode to the battle grounds in order to persuade the King to come back to the kingdom. After some time word reached the young prince and princess of that they had been orphaned.
Kaoru started crying at once asking "Ne, Aoshi-nii, will Oto-san and Oba-san never come back to me?" Aoshi had no words for his sister for he too was consumed in sorrow and so only pulled her into his chest in order to calm his sister.
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For some time after that Kaoru was constantly sick. Aoshi could not even think of losing Kaoru too so he band her from ever leaving the castle. He knew that Kaoru was consumed in sadness and tried to relieve her by spending as much time he could with her. But the new King did not have time enough. He could not be with Kaoru every moment of the day, every day of the week so he gave this job to two of his most prized advisors. Megumi and Tae were of noble birth and both unique in their own ways. Megumi was young enough to be able to relate to Kaoru as sisters and Tae was old enough to take care of her every need. Indeed they both viewed the little princess as another member of the family, always trying hard to please her and keep her happy, not to mention healthy and smiling.
But Kaoru was stubborn even as a little kid. She didn't like to take orders from anyone and loved to frustrate Megumi and Tae. She seemed to only listen to her "Aoshi-nii".
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One day a girl named Misao came to the palace in order to present herself to the King. Misao was a ninja from the Oniwanbashu, which were a noble family that and group of ninja's that had the task of protecting the royal family. The members of the Oniwanbashu only reported to the King, the reason why Misao, the youngest member, had come to the palace, in order to get her first assignment as a true ninja.
Misao was an extremely hyper, green eyed girl with long hair that presented it-self in a form of a braid that reached all the way down her back. She was too excited, being her first time in the palace and was skipping down the halls looking everywhere except where she was going when she bumped into someone.
"Gomen" Misao started startled only to be cut off by the pretty girl on the floor as she quickly put a hand over Misao's mouth.
"Ssshhhh, be quiet, I'm trying to hide." The girl said.
"Gomen" Misao repeated in a whisper.
"It ok" the girl said and then stiffened as she heard foot steps down the hall. "I need to hide, please can you help me." She said with wide puppy dog eyes/
"Sure," Misao started again puffing out her chest in pride, "I'm a ninja. Come, quickly, take my hand." Taking the girl's hand Misao keenly made her way to an empty room where they both hide behind the curtains.
Both girls were panting but grinning non-the-less with a sense of accomplishment.
"Hi, my name is Misao, Makimachi Misao." Misao stated holding out her hand.
The other girl looked at her hand and broke into a smile "Nice to meet you Misao-chan, I'm Kamiya Kaoru. Wow that was so much fun. Now, Megumi and Tae are never going to find me." Kaoru said with the grin still on her face.
"So why were you running away and hiding anyways?"
"Megumi and Tae were trying to give me that awful syrup again. It's all that stupid doctors fault. I told him I was alright but he told them to make me drink that foul thing for a month anyway." Kaoru explained.
Just then the door opened. "Kaoru-chan, princess, where are you, please come you have to take your medicine." Kaoru heard Tae saying.
But just as quickly as she came Tae left.
"That was close." Kaoru said releasing the breath she had been holding. She turned to find a wide eyed Misao.
"YOU'RE THE PRINCESS!!!" Misao yelled almost giving their location away.
"Sssshhhh, be quiet….. …. What are you doing?" Kaoru asked seeing Misao frantic bows and apologies.
"Stop it Misao-chan I-" but she was cut off by the door opening a second time. This time it was a man's voice that rebounded off the walls.
"Kaoru, I know you're in here. Please come out. You have to take your medicine. Please for my sake, come out Kaoru, I want to see my sapphire's pretty face." The man said in a sweet yet pleading tone.
With a sigh Kaoru came out of their hiding place. How could she deplete her chance of meeting her onii-chan.
"But Aoshi-nii, I don't want to take it. It tastes like bitter and yucky!" Kaoru said pouting.
Misao heard the man give a heartfelt laugh; she hadn't emerged from their hiding space yet.
"Now Kaoru," Aoshi stated nearing his sister and embracing her deeply "just look at yourself. Your pale and it looks like you have been running a lot. You know that isn't good for your health."
Before Kaoru could protest Misao shout out of the curtains and frantically started apologizing again in a bowing position "Gomen, it is my fault. The princess said she wanted to find a hiding place to I took her and ran to this empty run. Gomen, Gomen, its all my fault." When she looked up her breathe caught in her throat. In front of her stood a tall, handsome young man, with raven hair and mysterious blue eyes.
"Onii-chan, this is Misao Makimachi. She's my new friend. Misao this is my brother Aoshi Shinomori." Kaoru introduced the two.
Aoshi nodded while Misao just stood wide eyed. Opening her mouth Misao was about to tell Aoshi about being a ninja when Kaoru suddenly started to sway to the side, her eyes dropping just slightly.
"Kaoru!" Aoshi yelled rushing to his sister in order to support her. Aoshi knew his sister well but was stubborn and refused to rest much.
"You're still not a hundred percent well yet. You should stay in bed more. I'm going to take you to your room." He said picking Kaoru up and walking out of the room with a worried Misao following.
"You're not going to get out of your bed until you get better. You're also going to take the medicine and listen to Megumi and Tae." He continued scolding. But it was too little effect as the drained Kaoru had gone to land of unconsciousness in her brother's arms.
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The years past and Kaoru grew older, slowly but surly. The King gave Misao a room at the palace and the task of taking care of Kaoru's happiness, seeing how fond his sister was to the jumpy girl. Megumi and Misao turned into Kaoru's best friends who she shared everything with. It was an unbreakable trio who caused much havoc for the servants along with many laughs for the King. Misao especially was very keen in always wanting to see him smiling. Tae, being older then all of them was like a mother figure to Kaoru. The three (Misao, Tae, and Megumi) loved Kaoru with all their hearts.
"It's such a beautiful day," Kaoru said sighing nonetheless. "Why does Aoshi-nii want me to never leave the castle?" she inquired for the thousandth time. She was usually sad that she would not leave the castle but respected and loved her brother too much to ask for him to change his rule.
Raising her eyes from her book Megumi stated gently "Kaoru, you know why. The King does not want to see you hurt by the world outside. He is afraid to lose you too."
Misao added peeping up "Plus your health is not always good."
This was true; Kaoru was still not that strong of a girl. She would fall sick once in a while and Megumi and Tae would have to strive to bring her back to health. At those times Kaoru turned into a little child, not wanting to eat anything, always whining, and wanting to be close to the ones that loved her always. Aoshi always dreaded those days, not that he thought of taking care of his sister as a burden, but he was too afraid her sickness would worsen. At first he would bring the best doctors from all the lands but Kaoru refused to be with anyone of them. Seeing that their princess wished not to be touched by any doctor, Megumi left the palace for in order to become an apprentice to the finest doctor; leaving Tae to the care of Kaoru. Megumi had come back a month ago as the best doctor. Aoshi was always honored at Megumi and Tae's commitment to Kaoru and was constantly reminded that he had made the correct choice in appointing them. He spent most of the day with his advisors but always found time for Kaoru. They were his happiest moments of the day; his time with her.
"Aoshi-nii!!" Kaoru suddenly yelled as the door gracefully open. Running up to him like a small child who Aoshi picked up and spun around, putting gently to the flour after a few goes.
"Aoshi-nii, you have been gone for so long!" Kaoru accused tiny tears in her eyes.
"I know Kaoru and I'm sorry. The peace agreements just took too long. They kept me their as an attempt for me to fall for one of the princesses and marry her. Every night I would have to dine with a separate princess and spend the next day with her."
At this Misao, who was not paying much attention to what Aoshi said turned around, fury in her eyes. Why does he have to look for a bride? Doesn't he know?
As an answer to her prayers Aoshi said "I didn't go there in an attempt to find a partner nor have the need for one. I would have left the first night, but the King was keen and always ended our meetings early so that the treaties were not signed till just yesterday."
He ran out of daughters to present. They all thought.
"You rode all night just to see me?! You must be really tired then." Kaoru whispered giving her brother a hug.
"Not really, I'm relaxed know that I've seen you." Peace spread across his face as he sat down in a chair and talked to Kaoru.
"Why didn't you consent to one of the girls?" Kaoru asked as Misao throw her dirty look over Aoshi's shoulder, while Tae chuckled gently from the chair in the corner, embroidery in hand. But Kauro went one, teasing Misao none the less. The trio knew that Misao had loved Aoshi since the first time they had meet, but had never told the man of her dreams.
"I don't want to marry Kaoru. I'm happy just as I am. I don't want that to change." He answered. In reality Aoshi had never married in order to keep life for his sister the way it was. He wanted to caress his sister until he found the right person to hand down that duty to, Kaoru's husband. Aoshi didn't know how his new wife, if he had taken one, would have reacted to the time Aoshi spent with his sister. The last thing he wanted was someone that would compete with Kaoru in order to gain his attention.
"Kaoru" he stated putting a hand in his coat and pulling out a small box from within. "While traveling I saw this and thought that it was born just for you to wear. I hope you like it."
Born. It was the right word to use. As Kaoru opened the box she saw before her a lavender flower made of glass forever frozen in blossom.
"Nii-chan!" Kaoru exclaimed. "It's beautiful. I love it."
With that Aoshi smiled his dazzling smile and as Misao stared earnestly at his face, Aoshi put the flower in the silver chain around his sister's neck. He caught Misoa's stare and turned to her. Again putting his hand in his coat he took out and handed Misoa and Megumi each a similar box.
"Misoa-kun, Megumi-kun, Tae-kun thank you for always being there for Kaoru and me. I bought this in order to show my appreciation."
With shaking hands Misao opened her present first. She held up a bracelet with a rose charm, hurriedly she put it on and pressed her hand with her new gift to her hearth.
Next was Megumi's turn. Her gift was earrings studs in the shape of lilies. Last was Tae, who had gotten a hair comb/clip that had a small iris in the center of it. All four gifts were truly a work of a master.
"Thank You" Megumi and Misao chimed in together.
"They truly are beautiful." Tae put in, bowing.
"I'm glad you like them." Turning to Kaoru he stated "I'm sorry little sis but I have to go now" before Kaoru could protest he added "but I promise to be back in a day."
With that he kissed Kaoru on the head and left the room.
When Aoshi was left the three turned to launch their attack on Misao.
Kaoru, Tae, and Megumi would not stop teasing Misao staying things like "The rose is a symbol of love" or "I think he likes you too". Misao would just turn red in the face, secretly hoping it was all true, while the other three laughed and teased on.
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Aoshi had been inspecting the troops on the borders. Even in times of peace he didn't trust when a war would start and was kept the army in shape. He learned from experience even if it was not directly his own. He had been away from the palace for half a month now when he saw someone ride furiously his way. He recognized him as messenger from the palace and stood stiff for a few moments.
The messenger bowed quickly stated "Majesty the princess has fallen sick. Lady Tae, Lady Misao, and Lady Megumi beg that you return early to the palace."
The fear was transparent in Aoshi's eyes as he commanded his general to finish the inspection and give a full report to him. In thirty minutes Aoshi was off. He had unhitched one of the white horses from the carriage, thinking that it would be faster to ride this way. Wrapping a long blue and white cloak around him as he mounted his horse with only thought of one thing: please let Kaoru be safe, take my health instead.
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Water had started to drizzle down, as the sky itself was sad at Kaoru's state.
"Is Nii-chan back yet?" Kaoru asked Misao who slowly shock her head. Miserably Kaoru sunk back in bed.
"Kaoru, its bond to take him time. He will come back so please eat the medicine. You're just going to become sicker and the King will not like that now will he?" Megumi stated tiredly.
She knew what Megumi said had truth in it but she was afraid that her onii-chan would abandon her like her parents had done long ago. Here entire body was aching, but she was afraid that she would never see him again.
I promise not to eat anything Kami-sama, just please give me back my onii-chan. She started to sob quietly.
Just then the door swung open. Aoshi was standing there soaked to the bone. He tore off his cloak and rushed to his sister's side. Tar hurried to get a towel.
"Aoshi-nii" Kaoru crocked as Aoshi held her hand.
"How did this happen?" Aoshi whispered as he looked from Megumi to Misao.
"It happened overnight. She suddenly got very sick and we called for you. She refused to eat anything until she saw you. She has been restless ever since." Megumi stated.
"We tried to force her to eat for her sake, for ours, but she wouldn't listen." Misao completed.
Aoshi turned to his sister. "Imōto, why?" he asked lovingly knowing too well the answer.
"I didn't want to eat nii-chan. …." After a pause "You were there for so long. I didn't even get a letter. I thought you forgot about me." Kaoru said sobbingly.
"That can never be true Kaoru. I will always love you. You will always be my most important person. Oh why, why did you punish yourself for my mistake, my foolishness?" He said angry with himself. He had thought of Kaoru often but never had the privacy to write a letter nor the time.
"Bring me some soup." He said to Tae. To Megumi he said "Prepare some fresh medicines."
Both nodded in agreement as Tae handed him a towel.
To Misao he ordered to bring strips of cloth in cold water.
"I shall nurse you back to health myself, please forgive me Imōto, my sapphire." Aoshi whispered as Kaoru smiled.
His first act was to feed Kaoru and give her medicine. Then he bandaged Kaoru's head with the cold clothes in order to bring down her fever. Kaoru went to sleep with only one condition: him holding her hand. For two nights straight Aoshi barely rested as he cared for his weakened sister. I promised I wouldn't let you go too. He thought as he slowly closed his eyes and slumbered for only a short amount of time.
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He was at peace in a beautiful field. He knew in his heart that his parents were smiling down at him and that his sister had found her life again.
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In a few days Kaoru was back to normal yet her brother would not let her leave her bed.
"Onii-chan, please!" Kaoru wailed but Aoshi would not budge from his decision. Smiling at is sister he said "No, not until I'm perfectly sure that you have recovered." Seeing him smile was reward enough so Kaoru slid back into her bed.
"Misao, I'm soooooo bored. Will you please sit here and read to me" she slyly pointing to the spot near Aoshi.
Misao turned pink and gave a quick angry glance at Kaoru who smirked a little.
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Sorry but I started out like this because it's very important for the plot. I hope you like it but I wouldn't know if you don't review. Please, I promise it will be a good one.