A/N: Kind of A/U, maybe OOC lots of WAFFy-ness.
BTW: Kaoru is 18 and Kenshin is 22 in this fic. Why? Because that's how I want it.
This chapter is more like a prologue.
PLEASE REVIEW!!!
The Concubine
by: Saku-Yume
Prologue
"This is the best for your family, Kaoru," the woman explained to the young, raven-haired girl. "If you win the emperor's favor you can earn enough of a living to support your family and make a name for yourself."
Kaoru remained silent as the town's finest kimono seamstress put the finishing touches on her garment. Silent tears ran down her smooth cheeks as she watched herself in the mirror. This fine article of clothing was not the only one in the wardrobe to be taken with her. She must have the best her family could offer to impress the emperor - even if they couldn't really afford it. It was part of her job, you see, to repay the seamstress once she'd "made a name for herself."
Kaoru almost laughed when her mind ran across those words. Such a peculiar way of saying she'd earn her place in Japanese aristocracy by becoming the emperors' concubine. Or one of the many. The only reason she took this personal humiliation quietly was because her ailing father needed medical attention that she simply could not afford on her own. Her Kamiya kashin- budo tutoring fees were not enough and she had no one she could really ask for help. Somehow by becoming one of the emperor's lovely playthings she could "earn her name" and hopefully he would grant her the medical or monetary assistance she required.
It was all for a price.
But, then, wasn't everything these days?
*****
Kaoru sat with her beloved father holding his weak and all-too-thin hand, probably for the last time. She studied all the lines of his face- some from age, some from his illness, and hoped that her efforts would at least ease him from the latter.
He stirred. "Kaoru," he whispered. "You look lovely. Where are you off to?"
She forced a smile. She couldn't bring herself to tell her father what she was going to do and where she was going to do it. He would try to stop her and she would never disobey her father. So it was best he didn't know. "Just going out for a while, father. Yamato-dono will be looking after you while I'm gone."
"Don't stay away long," he whispered drifting back to sleep as a result of the herbs in his tea. Kaoru silently conceded with a nod, tears springing forth, knowing sadly that her dear father would probably not even notice the amount of time she'd be away due to the effects of his ailment, and at the same time, somewhat thankful that he wouldn't.
She remained by his side until the carriage arrived to take her to her new life.
BTW: Kaoru is 18 and Kenshin is 22 in this fic. Why? Because that's how I want it.
This chapter is more like a prologue.
PLEASE REVIEW!!!
The Concubine
by: Saku-Yume
Prologue
"This is the best for your family, Kaoru," the woman explained to the young, raven-haired girl. "If you win the emperor's favor you can earn enough of a living to support your family and make a name for yourself."
Kaoru remained silent as the town's finest kimono seamstress put the finishing touches on her garment. Silent tears ran down her smooth cheeks as she watched herself in the mirror. This fine article of clothing was not the only one in the wardrobe to be taken with her. She must have the best her family could offer to impress the emperor - even if they couldn't really afford it. It was part of her job, you see, to repay the seamstress once she'd "made a name for herself."
Kaoru almost laughed when her mind ran across those words. Such a peculiar way of saying she'd earn her place in Japanese aristocracy by becoming the emperors' concubine. Or one of the many. The only reason she took this personal humiliation quietly was because her ailing father needed medical attention that she simply could not afford on her own. Her Kamiya kashin- budo tutoring fees were not enough and she had no one she could really ask for help. Somehow by becoming one of the emperor's lovely playthings she could "earn her name" and hopefully he would grant her the medical or monetary assistance she required.
It was all for a price.
But, then, wasn't everything these days?
*****
Kaoru sat with her beloved father holding his weak and all-too-thin hand, probably for the last time. She studied all the lines of his face- some from age, some from his illness, and hoped that her efforts would at least ease him from the latter.
He stirred. "Kaoru," he whispered. "You look lovely. Where are you off to?"
She forced a smile. She couldn't bring herself to tell her father what she was going to do and where she was going to do it. He would try to stop her and she would never disobey her father. So it was best he didn't know. "Just going out for a while, father. Yamato-dono will be looking after you while I'm gone."
"Don't stay away long," he whispered drifting back to sleep as a result of the herbs in his tea. Kaoru silently conceded with a nod, tears springing forth, knowing sadly that her dear father would probably not even notice the amount of time she'd be away due to the effects of his ailment, and at the same time, somewhat thankful that he wouldn't.
She remained by his side until the carriage arrived to take her to her new life.
