THE DESTINY

Who would have known at the tender age of 23, Chizuru was forced into an arranged marriage. Later, she discovered her arranged marriage wasn't only for the sake of uniting two families together but also for something she never imagined before…what the other motive might be?

Chapter 1

"Chizuru, are you sure you're going to do this?" Kaoru assessed any slight emotion from Chizuru who seemed to put on a blank façade since their last meeting with their uncle.

"What choice do you think I have? And I think this is the perfect time to repay what he had done to us. Kaoru…" Chizuru reached for Kaoru's hand. She looked into his eyes for courage. "Whatever happens, you mustn't blame uncle. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine and I know how to find my own happiness. I'm content enough seeing you happy, my only brother." Chizuru smiled confidently but her eyes shone with sadness, anxiety and unsure what future has for her. She lied when she said she was fine. She didn't want Kaoru to change her decision because she knew it was the best for her family. All her 23 years of living on this earth, she never experienced true love, never went to a date, never kiss a boy and never brought him home properly to meet her uncle and brother. She used to like a boy in her school during her second year of university but it didn't go as what she had expected so she decided to forget about tedious thing like love and focus on her studies first. She was petrified to marry a guy she never met before.

Kaoru clasped his other hand on top of hers and gave a tiny squeeze of assurance. "If you've made your decision, I know I can't do anything to change that because you're such a headstrong person." He laughed lightly before continuing "I'll always support you regardless whatever happens or status as single or married woman. We've been together since the day we were born until this second, it's a little sad to give you to someone else." He hugged Chizuru tightly. Chizuru replied his embrace with the same strength he put on her. Hearing those words from Kaoru made her tears rolled down heavily on her smooth cheeks.

"Sleep well Chizuru. Don't cry in your sleep tonight. I'm sure you don't want panda eyes until your big day." Kaoru ruffled her hair and left Chizuru alone in her room. Chizuru watched the closed door blankly and walked to her bed. Oh God. I hope I'm making the right decision. Please give me strength and willpower to get through whatever obstacles in my life. I don't want to be a broken person. I want to be loved by my future husband. Please God. Hear my plea. Chizuru prayed silently inside her heart. She looked outside the window into the cold winter night searching for any sign saying it'll be fine…but she found none. She sighed before slumped onto her bed. She closed her eye to block whatever images and conversations that were playing in her mind, eventually fell asleep.

A week before…

Chizuru and Kaoru received an invitation to have dinner with her uncle at one of Tokyo's famous restaurant. Although they two of them lived in with their uncle after their parents passed away in a tragic accident at the age of 3 until 20, they rarely had seen him nor having private moments together unless it was for something important. They grew up with the nanny hired by Kodo. It was until one day, both of them persuade their uncle to let them go back to their parents' house. Kodo agreed with the request, seemed like they were old enough to take care of themselves but with one condition, they need to listen and obey to whatever decisions he made for their own sake, and that Chizuru's marriage was one of the Kodo's decisions.

"Chizuru, I've something important to tell you. You're the only female Yukimura alive and I always assume you and your brother as my own children although we seldom spent times together when you were little. I love your mother, Yuko dearly even after what she did to our family. I was very mad at her to making such sudden decision but when I saw how happy that decision made her, I couldn't let my anger continued and I forgave her for that. She married your father, Hiroshi who was a commoner out of love at the tender age of 20. But that results too many consequences. My father was too shocked that he got heart attack when he found out she ran away on the morning of her wedding day with a man he chose for her. Yuko too was my only sister in the family, so you could guess she was the most spoilt child but I never felt envy in the slightest way because our parents loved us both equally. After recovering from heart attack, my father waited for Yuko patiently every day for almost four years until the day he passed away. That was a month before Yuko and your father came back to our house with two small babies on their arms. But, your parents didn't live long enough to see you two grew up into amazing children. I want you to know whatever I did is all for your own goodness." Kodo looked at Chizuru and Kaoru in the eyes, back and forth. Chizuru had a bad premonition about the thing he wanted to say. She slowly looked for Kaoru's hand under the table and when she got one, she squeezed tightly to ease her shakiness. Kaoru sensed her anxiety and gave a small smile across the table.

"What is it uncle?" Chizuru asked with shaky voice.

Kodo sipped his wine and return his eyes to take a good look at her. She looked exactly like Yuko; big brown eyes, small nose and fair skin. "I want you to marry Hijikata Gorou's youngest son. I'm sure you've heard his name before. He was the man your mother supposed to marry before she fled. He wanted you to marry his son not because of revenge but to accomplish the promises our old man made to each other when they were young. They wanted to reunite Yukimura and Hijikata family together and the responsibility now lies on you since your mother once refused it. I believe his family will treat you better and his son will make you happy. Our families have been good friends for almost 70 years now. This marriage shall benefits many people including you and Kaoru. You've met his son once during Gorou's 60th birthday party two months ago. Your wedding will be held in a week's time. Everything has been settled; the venue, dresses, invitations etc."

Chizuru's eyes widen. She couldn't believe her ears. How could he make everything without consulting me first? What if I refuse this marriage? Chizuru took a deep breath. "What if I refuse?" She asked without blinking.

Kodo's face tensed for a seconds, he then smiled folding his arms across his chest. "No. I don't think you're capable of refusing this marriage. You're not as stubborn as what Yuko was capable."

"Uncle, don't you think she's too young to get married? I mean she just finishes her university. She still haven't a got a job yet." Kaoru pleaded with hope his uncle will reconsider the decision.

"She doesn't have to worry about getting a job. Once she's married, she'll be working under Hijikata & Co. with her husband. I don't think 23 is considered as 'too young' to have her own family. Even your mother got married at the age of 20." Kodo replied without looking at Kaoru.

Kaoru felt defeated against his uncle. I wonder if stubbornness runs in the family. He thought.

"What benefits does my marriage will bring?" Chizuru asked slowly with her eyes looking down the shaky hands gripping the edge of her blouse. Her palms started to get sweat, turned slightly cold.

"The company built by your late grandfather will be in many advantages after we've reunited two families together, you won't have to worry about finding a husband because you'll have the best man I chose for you, Kaoru can continue with his music career without worrying about the company and the most important thing is, my and Gorou's father will be at ease up there knowing their wishes finally come true." Kodo gave Chizuru a very sincere smile. Chizuru let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

She contemplated her thoughts for a few moments. The three of them continue with their dinner in silence when Chizuru broke the silence with her conclusion. "Fine. I'll marry his son."

Kaoru gaped in astonishment, Kodo's shoulder relaxed against the chair when they heard her. Kaoru wiped his mouth and sipped some wine in front of him.

"Chizuru! Are you sure? If it's because of me, forget it. I'm willing to not pursuing music career. Please think carefully again." Kaoru stared straight into her eyes. Chizuru couldn't help from feeling guilty, turning her eyes from Kaoru's.

"No Kaoru. It's not because of you only. I don't want to repeat the same mistake mom did years ago. If I refused this marriage, one day my daughter will end up in the situation like this again. I don't want that to happen and also, this was what our late grandpa had wished. Even though we've never met him, I felt oblige to be the person to make his wish comes true." Chizuru was choking back her tears, it was hard for her to agree with this but she got no other alternatives. She was ready to sacrifice her happiness for the sake of other people's whom she loved very much.

"Very well then Chizuru. I'll inform Gorou regarding this matter. He'll be very pleased. All you've to do now, just sit back and wait for Saturday next week. You'll be the happiest bride alive." Kodo smiled reassuringly to both Kaoru and Chizuru.

Chizuru replied with a small smile. Only Kaoru knew that smile wasn't the smile happiness but the smile calling for help. Chizuru felt trapped between her own heart desires or for the sake of her grandfather's wishes. Dear grandpa, I hope you'll protect me from up above and proud of my decision.

To be continued…

Hello! Thanks for reading my Hakuoki fanfiction. I'm sorry if the characters are slightly OOC as I decided to alter a bit of this and that to blend in with the modern-day setting. I'm sorry again if some of you might find the story line a bit cliché but hey! Nothing's wrong with cliché (lol).

Any ideas, opinions or constructive criticisms, please review