A/N: This little plot of mine just randomly jumped in my head and wouldn't leave me alone. The great thing about my mind is that I'm able to very easily relate one thing to another by the most minute detail. And thus, a story blossoms. I was contemplating on whether I should make this a two-shot, or a story, and I still haven't decided. So, I decided that I would just go with the flow. It's probably going to be a full story though… lol
This plot kind of originated from Beauty and the Beast. But then I thought up of another little plot, put them together, added my own little twists, and here we go. Take note that this will NOT be just a sad rewriting of the Beauty and the Beast tale. It just simply inspired this story in a small way. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin in any way shape or form.
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Prologue: The Curse
The light clicking of a walking cane could be heard walking along down a random road. The wrinkly skin, old and weathered, peeked out from beneath the heavy cloak that adorned the old woman. She walked with a hidden confidence to her destination. Glowing golden eyes scanned the large home coming into view. She knew the one she intended to deal with resided in that home, beyond the looming gates ahead. With a flash, she was immediately on the other side of the gate, and on her way to the entrance, with her goal in mind.
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The tall figure walked calmly through his mansion. His icy blue eyes ran through all of the details of his fine home while on his nightly check, mentally going through the numerous tasks in his contemplative mind. He scanned his large estate for any ki out of place. His senses lightly drifted over the maids' quarters, recognizing each presence as familiar, and through the rest of his house. Finding nothing out of the ordinary, he scanned even further outside, to the edge of his property. Surprisingly, he did sense someone, seemingly waiting, at the entrance to his mansion.
He read the oddly strong ki, and assumed the owner to be a man. Ruminating on the near impossibility of anyone getting through his gates without him knowing, he quickly made his way to the door, where he knew the strange visitor waited. Keeping his demeanor impassive as usual and his eyes ever cold, he opened the door. His eyes widened, just the slightest bit, at the sight of an old timely woman. In fact, she looked half dead, leaning on her sorry cane. However, otherwise there was no noticeable change in his façade.
The woman looked up at him with a hint of smugness and determination in her glowing orbs. He met her gaze head on, and she didn't seem to be in the least startled by his sharp stare.
"Why are you here, and what do you want, woman?" his deep, almost dark, voice inquired.
The woman took her time, deciding to observe this man: Tall, lean, muscular (but not overly so), handsome face, dark raven hair with choppy bangs nearly covering his eyes, and sharp blue eyes. His eyes, she noticed, were devoid of all emotion, leaving behind a coldness that seemed to overwhelm anyone. Not her though. She had a mission.
"Answer me," he demanded.
She decided to speak up, with a weak, withered voice that spoke of pain, "I am here, kind sir, for help. I have lost my home, and am in need of shelter and warmth. Please have mercy on this old woman."
He observed her with calculating eyes, deciding that something wasn't entirely right. So, he asked, "How did one lose their home so far into winter?"
She continued in the same voice, "Dear boy, I have just lost someone whom I loved very deeply. He was my heart, and soul. However, when he died, he took my heart with him and I had lost the will to work. Surely, one such as yourself can understand the pain of my loss?"
He looked at her with barely hidden disgust. "You expect me to take in some worn woman incapable of doing anything just because you lost your husband?" he inquired in his quiet deep voice, again.
The woman continued to stare into his eyes, and after seeing the truth of his last statement, replied, "Yes."
"You may leave how you came, woman. I have not the time, nor the want to take in such a pathetic woman," he said. He was about to slam the door in her face, but suddenly a large force of energy brought it back. The old, frail looking woman started to glow in an ethereal light.
In a firm voice, she stated, "You, Aoshi Shinomori have no heart. You are cold and ruthless. Soon, you will know what it is like to lose one you love. You will find happiness, only to have it snatched away from you. This is not a prediction. It's a promise." And with that, she disappeared, leaving a barely moved Aoshi behind.
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The man, now known as Aoshi, slowly made his way up to the wing his room was held in. All the while, the words of the mysterious woman floating in his mind.
"…This is not a prediction. It's a promise."
Aoshi scoffed. What would that crazy woman know? He did not desire someone to love. Emotions were useless to him. He didn't spend years hiding them away only to be jarred by the useless words of an old woman. No. He would not let this affect him. What the old hag said definitely didn't make sense, anyway.
He finally found his way into his room. Though he was still distracted. He thought over what the woman said, then about his life. He nearly rolled his eyes at himself for nearly falling for what the stupid hag had told him.
Aoshi definitely didn't want love. He didn't need love. His purpose in life was to prosper alone. He made that choice a long time ago.
But then…
Why did that thought suddenly make him feel empty?
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A/N: well, here's the prologue. I promise any future chapters will be a lot longer. This short thing was just to jump start the story.
Tell me if you like it. REVIEW! The more reviews I get, the more encouraged I'll be. Lol
Any who, This will be an A/M fic. I'll have another chapter done soon.
Much love,
Lonely Soul