Hello once again my dear readers! I am aware that you'd really enjoy seeing more of the other stories. But this one in particular was way too good to pass up. I will get the others later on. That said, this story is a thought that sprout into something beautiful, and with the help of my beta and now co-writer to this story, Soulfire7609, I'm hoping that all of you will enjoy this story just as much as the other two. I will work hard with my friend to make this another story that you'll return to.
Kanojou no samurai no shinku - Her Samurai of Scarlet (Prologue)
The sky was covered with dark clouds looming over the land, rain falling like tears onto the earth below. A small group of three people was seen riding different colored horses. The one out front seemed to be a nobleman, with his dark tresses tied back tightly in a low ponytail, that reached the back of his neck. He rode along on his noble brown steed while his two guards rode black ones. Months ago, the nobleman had heard of a highly skilled swordsman, and thought it was more than fitting to hire him for his castle. He would give that man a home and in return, he would protect and remain loyal to him and his daughter.
Several more hours passed and all three were met with the sight of several men of different shapes and sizes, hitting training dummies with their makeshift weapons. The nobleman was approached by a shady character with short hair, clad in an open light blue kimono top with a pair of dark hakama pants. He carried with him what they assumed to be an umbrella. Said character glanced at them through his dark bangs and smiled.
"Oh? To what do I owe the pleasure of being in your presence, nobleman?"
"Do not play coy with me, old samurai. You know what I came here for, do you not?"
The man smiled at the nobleman as he and his guard dismounted their respectful horses. Jikogaki, the one known as the nobleman, stepped from his horse once it was secured, then his guards soon followed. Once closer, Jikogaki spent several minutes watching the men. One in particular, caught his eye: a young man with red hair approaching a training dummy with a blade. Everything after that happened much too quickly. One, two blinks and the training dummy's "head" was sliced from the rest of its body with greatest ease.
"Who is that boy?" Jikogaki asked, wide-eyed.
"That's the one you've heard of. In fact, I think he's the one you wanted" he smirked, then began to cough.
"I wish to hire him"
Takasugi smiled at that and nodded to him in response. He studied the boy, whom by then had turned his head to glance at them both, with innocent curiosity. Eventually, the young man found himself traveling back with the nobleman, who he learned was named Jikogaki, and his two guards. Jikogaki was told that the boy's name was Kenshin Himura, and the nobleman was pleased with his personality thus far. He was fairly polite, young and highly skilled with the sword to boot. His daughter was sure to be pleased with the boy.
Meanwhile at the castle, sat a young and beautiful princess. Pale skin with painted red lips, adorned her striking features. The young girl's eyes were a gentle hue of brown, enhanced by blue eye shadow. Her long raven locks fell along her back and across the floor, like a dark cascade of ebony silk. On her person were various layers of kimono, the last one being pink and decorated with flowers. At the moment she was seen playing the koto, a very famous instrument that her land was known for.
"As always, you play beautifully"
When the girl turned her head to face the owner of the voice, she was met with none other than her mother. The woman standing at the shōji door, thoughtfully gazing at her daughter, was quite beautiful despite her age. She too, wore several layers of kimonos on her person. Though the last layer for her seemed to be embroidered with silver thread flowers along the sleeves, back and along most of the pink fabric. The woman's hair seemed to be tinted a lighter shade of black. Her orbs were a soft shade of pale blue, accentuated by a hint of purple shadow. Several strands of her hair were seen tied back in a sort of arch shape, behind three pins, adorned by ornaments hanging from each one. Finally, her skin looked like porcelain, her lips painted red as well, just like her daughter. The woman's hair resembled that of her daughter or rather, it was the other way around. The young lady had taken after her mother, when it came to her looks.
"Mother, I thought you were out"
"I was, I just returned... I take it your father is still out?"
"Yes. Last I heard, he was venturing off to the North"
"I see, have you heard any news?"
The princess shook her head at that question; her mother frowning in response to that, though she quickly hid it and joined her daughter.
"Tell me, what other song have you learned?"
She smiled at her mother, then proceeded to look down at the instrument, moving her fingers delicately over the strings. Doing so, created a series of notes and in turn, a melody. The mother watched with a smile as her daughter played the koto with utmost ease. Music continued to fill the room, before everything halted at the sound of people yelling outside, soon followed by the sound of hooves and neighs.
"Oh, it seems that he's returned" the mother exclaimed, pushing herself to stand.
The young princess stood and followed after her mother outside, where several guards rejoiced at the return of their lord. Each one dismounted their respective steeds, and Jikogaki looked at his two most treasured women: His wife and daughter. He smiled and approached the few steps up with his two guards and the boy.
"Izayoi, Akemi, I've someone I'd like you to meet"
Kenshin stepped forward then, as the father stepped back. Izayoi was shocked and it showed on her features. He looked... so young, even her age perhaps, if she'd be honest with herself at least. He on the other hand, was surprised, somewhat. His eyes had grown wide, unable to believe that he was to protect this girl. She was likely his age, or perhaps a year or so older.
"What do you think, Kenshin? Can you reside here with us?"
Slowly he returned to his stoic-like mask, glancing at the father.
"Which one is your daughter?"
"She is the one on the right. You are to guard her with your life, boy."
Kenshin directed his sights towards Izayoi, where she was now seen lifting a hand to her mouth, averting her eyes away from his gaze. So this would be his life from now on, remaining here as that girl's lapdog?
"This will take some time to get used to, I guess", he mused to himself.