Author's note : There isn't much scene here except for the last part. There is only a slight mention of Kaoru's past.
A quick note to nijiiryuu: This is for caring enough to try and get hold of me. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
To everyone who has been patiently waiting for an update, my deepest apologies. It has taken me awhile to finally get this chapter up. It has not been easy but I am glad I can finally post it. I know what it feels like when an author stops updating halfway. You have my word I am planning to see this until the end. For now, please enjoy this chapter.
Happy reading!
Chapter 8
A New Leaf
Makoto, son of Shishio had once been a very handsome man. His looks alone made women flock him like bees to a flower. His charm and careless grace made him one of the most desirable men in the courts. His bed was rarely empty and the women never had any reason to complain.
Everything changed when he was burned in a fire one fateful night when he was 16. That had been twenty years ago. In his attempt to murder his sister, he had been trapped in a fire and burned. To his vast amusement and the intense despair felt by his people, he had survived.
The only woman for him at this moment was the one draped on his naked lap, wearing a robe so thin, he could see right through it. And it was quite a sight. Shishio glanced discreetly around the room and could barely hide the smug grin on his face. His guards were affected by his mistress but they did their best to act as though they did not notice her. He trailed a lazy hand over her breast and heard her breath hitch. Pleased, his hand slipped between her legs and pulled the material up to expose her to anyone who might be looking at them. He slipped his fingers into her and was rewarded with her loud moan and eager thrusting of her hips.
Oh, yes. He was extremely pleased. Yumi was by no means a prude. She was an adventurous woman, who got off on being watched. She liked it a lot when he did her in front of others. She liked him when he was in the mood of gentle and tender sex but she loved it when he spiced things up between them.
That knowledge coupled with their sexual escapades was legendary in the castle but no word seeped out. No one dared to even hit on Yumi. They knew their king and master would come down hard on them if they ever tried to poach on his land. So even when she paraded around the castle naked, the men and women kept their eyes diverted and did their jobs.
Today, the king and his luscious concubine were in a playful mood and the guards were getting an eyeful.
Even before the two sharp raps on the door rang, Shishio stood up, at ease with his nakedness and slipped on a robe. Yumi too rose and slipped into the robe he handed her. Even then, it was hard to keep the eyes away from her curvaceous figure. The silk robe only made her more seductive. Shishio appreciated the sensuality of his mistress and he sat back down, Yumi at his side and nodded at the door.
His guard opened it to admit a young white haired man.
Enishi, son of Yukishiro, was a man Shishio admired. He had excellent fighting skills and a cold cruel heart. Those two characters made him a desirable man in Shishio's eyes. They had kept in touch before but this time, Shishio could sense the change in the man before him.
"Yukishiro."
"Shishio."
Bemused, Shishio motioned him to sit.
"You said you have a proposition?"
Enishi nodded and looked directly at Shishio.
"I will help you take over Khaheleb."
Shishio nodded. "So I gather. What do you want in return?"
Enishi's eyes flickered to Yumi and for once, Shishio wondered if the man was stupid enough to suggest taking Yumi.
"There is a something I want but I am going to keep it to myself first. For now...I do not want anything to matter...However...there is something you have to promise me, Shishio."
Shishio simply sat back and stroked a hand warningly over Yumi's breasts. She snuggled closer, enjoying the intimate touch of his hands. "Depends..."
"I want Khaheleb. I mean it. I do not care what happens to Himura. That's not my concern but I want the land. I want to rule. And my sister, she must not be harmed. By now, she would be married to Himura. She must not be harmed."
The tall man shrugged easily and nodded. "I do not find that request too hard to follow. I do not mind it at all. It is done."
Enishi nodded and rose. He started to walk out when something came to him and he turned back to Shishio.
"There is also something else..."
Shishio looked amused and nodded. "What else, Yukishiro?"
"There is a woman I want...she lives in my house...I want her exclusively as my own when the time comes. No one touches her but me."
Intrigued, Shishio smiled. "You may leave peacefully."
Enishi did not ponder on his words any more as he turned and left, pride shimmering in him for thinking this plan through. After he was done, the Himura bloodline will be no more and he will finally rule over the land. He will not be fooled like the people, worshipping an idol with absolutely no proof of its existence. Dioni can protect the Himura bloodline as much as It ones but he would not be fooled. He would rule the land and prove to everyone that he was just as good as the Himuras if not better. He would lift his sister up on the pedestal that was meant only for her. And by his side...Kaoru...
By his side...he will keep her as his.
No one...not even Tomoe was going to take that opportunity away from him.
"Interesting, isn't he?"
Yumi laughed as she draped herself over Shishio, pressing her curves against his hard muscular body. She enjoyed the feelings he rose within her and hummed in response.
"Very interesting. Naive young man, isn't he?"
Shishio simply looked at her, amused. "Why do you think so?"
"Because, my love, anyone who knows you knows you will not simply let Khaheleb go. On top of that...you are curious, are you not? Regarding this woman that Yukishiro is interested in that he made a request to have her mainly as his?"
Shishio stroked Yumi's hair thoughtfully. Honestly, he had thought about it which is why he did not promise Yukishiro anything. The fool had not realized or had taken it for granted that Shishio would not go after his woman.
"Are you jealous, love?"
Yumi laughed a low and sexual sound. "When I know no woman can hold you like I do and when I know you will always return to me, why do I need to be jealous?"
Shishio laughed easily and kissed Yumi roughly. However in him mind, it kept circling back to the woman Yukishiro was talking about.
His interest has been spiked. Now, he only needed to know who she was...
XXX
"Lady Aya, do you seriously want to continue the marriage with her?" Tomoe asked, her voice low and broken. Her eyes, shining with tears, she looked at the door that separated her and her step-sister. Never had she felt such rage within her. She hid it well, but the thought of Kaoru raised her anger higher and higher. And now!
"My child...how am I suppose to decide? I have no idea who she is and how she managed to pull of such a feat! On top of that, the blessings from Dioni?" Aya laid her hand on Tomoe's head and looked at the woman with sympathy in her eyes.
Even then, her eyes hardened as looked at the door. "I do not know who the woman is but I will find out before this day is over. And then...we will have to decide how to take care of this mess. Tomoe, child, I want you more than anyone else to be my daughter but somehow..."
Aya looked at Kenshin. Her son was sitting at the window, starring outside. His back was rigid with tension and his eyes were hard and cold. Pain filled her. Her poor baby. How was he going to survive this? All these time he has been courting the one woman and then he was suddenly betrothed to another.
Before she could say anything, though Tomoe rose and walked to the opposite direction. Her head bent low, she gripped her dress and looked outside.
"Lady Aya, Lord Syousuke, I...It is my fault. I should have known something like this would happen," Tomoe whispered painfully as she looked outside, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "I should have known."
Syousuke looked away from his son and watched the woman his wife had chosen for Kenshin. There was something about her that made Syousuke wonder if the choice had been the right one from the beginning but hearing her voice so dejected and sad made him question his own suspicion. "My child, what is it?"
"She is my sister, Lady Aya, Lord Syousuke. She is my sister."
The anger that raged inside Kenshin almost made itself known. His fingers fisted tightly and he forced himself to continue looking outside. How could she? How could she so easily say that Kaoru was her sister? Never once while he was courting her did she admit it. Only when he mentioned it, did Tomoe admit to Kaoru being her step-sister. Now, now, she admits it so freely in front of his parents.
"Your...does that mean that she is the daughter of that woman? The woman who killed Lord Heishin?"
Tomoe nodded. She did not turn to look at them, preferring to set the stage this way. "Yes, her mother...killed my father. My mother took her in and now...now I see I should have known all along that she would stab me in the back. If I knew she was planning to destroy my betrothal to Lord Kenshin, I would have done something...anything to stop her."
Aya sank to the empty chair. "The daughter of a murdress? For our son? Syousuke?"
Syousuke walked over to his wife and placed his hand on her shoulder, the quiet assurance almost making her cry. This was her son. Her only son! She wanted the best for him. Now, she was going to have to agree on his marriage to the daughter of a known murderess? A woman who killed one of the most respectable man Khaheleb has ever known? How could she agree? How could she allow this?
"There has to be a way to stop this..." Aya whispered, horrified at her son's future.
Syousuke shook his head. "Can we go against this, Aya? Dioni has made the choice for us. We have never had a bright gold light like this before...the blessings...it is absolute."
Aya wrenched away from her husband and walked over to Kenshin. She held her son, pained at the tension in his body.
"I will not allow him to be sacrificed to Dioni. I will not!"
"Aya!"
"How could you ask this of me, Syousuke? My Lord, how could you ask this of me? This is my son! My child! No mother would ever want the worst for her baby! No mother would ever agree! I refuse to agree!"
"Aya, please! Understand! This is the will of Dioni!"
"NO! NO! NO!"
"AYA!"
"Mother, I am fine."
Three pairs of eyes looked at Kenshin. "Kenshin?"
Kenshin turned and held her hand, his eyes staring deeply into hers.
"Father is right. No one has got such a blessing before. How can I speak against it? But I will ensure that she does not have any hidden motives. I will ensure our family name is taken care of."
"But Kenshin..."
"Mother, I have never gone against the wishes of Dioni. How can I start now? Our family has never gone against Dioni. How can we start now? What right do we have? For years, Dioni has protected us and we have never gone against Dioni. We cannot start to do so now. It won't be right. I will take responsibility on this matter."
He turned and faced Tomoe. Then, he bowed. "I am so sorry. Our betrothal was destroyed because I could not even recognize the woman I wanted to marry."
The anger Tomoe felt was nothing compared the horror she was feeling at that moment. No! It couldn't be happening. She was supposed to marry him! She was supposed to be the ruler of Khaheleb. How did everything go so wrong so fast? She was so sure if she could get Lady Aya to oppose the wedding, something...anything will be done!
"My Lord..."
"It was truly a pleasure meeting you, my Lady."
That was a lie. Tomoe knew it. He was enchanted by Kaoru and was pleased with how it turned out. Tomoe knew Kenshin could not have met Kaoru during their courtship time so somehow that woman had planned this by herself. When she knows who has helped her, Tomoe would ensure each one of them will suffer!
"My apologies too, my Lord for how this has turned out."
Kenshin gave her a sad smile.
"I will escort Kaoru back to my home, my Lord."
This time, Kenhsin shook his head. "I am afraid that's not possible. She will remain at a place I have chosen. I am going to ensure I know everything she has planned. If she is going to marry me, I will need to know what her plans are. It is best to be equipped to face an unknown foe."
Tomoe's fingers clenched and she made a fist. The fact that she was also denied the joy of 'interrogating' her step-sister made her even angrier. Where was her brother? Where was Enishi?
"But my Lord, she can be quite a handful. She has...had issues..." Tomoe started but Kenshin shook his head.
"She is dealing with the Himuras now. I will ensure she has no ulterior motive. Do not worry, my Lady. I will not hurt your sister."
"Step-sister, my lord and that is not my worry. I ... very well. It is not my place to say. I will take my leave now."
"Child, please..."
"My lady, I truly thank you and appreciate all the help you have given me. Your blessings are something I treasure."
"Tomoe?"
"I will take my leave now, my Lady. My lord." Tomoe bowed and excused herself.
She did not scream. She did not shout. But the moment she entered her carriage, the fury inside of her burst out and she the grip she had tore the hem of her dress.
Kaoru will pay. She will pay dearly. Even if it was the last thing Tomoe would do, she will ensure Kaoru would pay.
For now, she had to scheme. Her dear darling baby sister was not going to marry the man Tomoe had eyed.
And she did not even have to kill to make sure Kaoru never becomes a bride.
XXX
Who was this woman?
Megumi eyed the dark haired beauty sitting before her, her back rigid, her face pale.
She looked like a ghost, not a drop of blood on her face. A part of her wanted to take this woman into her arms and comfort her but the more practical part of Megumi knew this was the woman who had stolen the place of Kenshin's fiancée. Whoever she was, whatever she wanted, as long as it concerns Kenshin was important to Megumi.
Megumi kept her eyes on her and her ears on the loud conversation outside. The moment she heard the identity of her brother's new betrothed, she turned shocked eyes to the still woman before her.
"You are the daughter of the Lord Heishin's mistress? The woman who killed him?"
She watched the young woman fist her hands before relaxing them once more. Blue eyes, no longer blank turned to look at her furiously.
"My mother was legally married to Lord Heishin. She was not his mistress," Kaoru replied warningly, her voice clipped and sharp. Megumi was taken aback but she kept her face impassive.
"For a woman who just stole her sister's fiancé, you really do have the guts to talk back to people, don't you?"
"For a woman who was brought up by such a wonderful family, you do not have manners, do you?" Kaoru replied, her voice soft yet sharp.
Megumi blinked. She should have expected the kitten to have claws. And she liked it very much. Tomoe was truly more of a doll than a person to her.
"Manners are for people who deserve it. Not for people who conspire to marry a noble! And definitely not for someone like you," Megumi replied coldly as she eyed the woman in the chair with obvious distaste.
Feeling like someone had just slapped her, Kaoru rose to her feet, her beautiful gown swirling round her. "So that is how you were brought up? To show manners to only those who show them equally to you? If that is how a noble is brought up, I do not want to have any part in nobility. I prefer my own upbringing, poor as it is."
"You upbringing brought upon the death of a man who everyone adored and respected. He was a decent man who was the pillar of community and whose daughter is one of the most respectable women here. You! You, who are the daughter of a murderess, you try to lecture me on upbringing?"
"Decent?" Kaoru's voice echoed softly in the room. Megumi frowned, wondering at the way Kaoru's cheeks paled and her eyes lost their shine. "Decent, is he?"
"Decent," Megumi clarified, ignoring the commotion outside. "He was a man who was loved by his wife and children. Your mother seduced him and killed him. And now, you have taken the place of his daughter. I agree, your upbringing suits you."
Megumi jerked back as Kaoru's hand swung up to meet her cheek. Unable to move, she shut her eyes and waited for the stinging blow but nothing landed on her. She opened them to see Kaoru staring at her in horror and then at her hand. Kaoru stared at her hand in a daze wondering how she could have gotten the courage to raise it in the first place. Shocked, she took a few steps back from Megumi and brought her hand to her lips.
Megumi watched her in silence, wondering why the woman stopped. She had goaded her, after all and the slap would have been the most appropriate course the woman would have taken. She pressed her lips together and studied Kaoru.
In a movement that shocked Megumi, Kaoru bowed in a perfect, maid-like bow. "I apologize. It is not in my place to raise my hand to a noble."
It was so unlike her that Megumi paused. She wondered why the woman before her changed so drastically. She was all fire and passion and then she changed to a frightened doll.
A mystery.
She was a mystery and Megumi loved mysteries.
Just as she was about to question Kaoru once more, the door opened without a knock and Kenshin strode in. His eyes were emotionless as he studied Kaoru, giving no indication that he knew Megumi was even there with her.
"Megumi, go accompany mother."
It was an order, short and simple. Resenting that and yet understanding his need to talk to Kaoru, she nodded and walked past them, feeling sorry for the woman who has to endure Kenshin's wrath. She was sure that after carefully arranging and planning for Tomoe to marry him, Kenshin would not be happy with his engagement being sabotaged.
The sudden fear Kaoru had diminished as she realized that the person in front of her was not Tomoe of Enishi but Megumi. Megumi would not hit her. The old habit was truly one that does not die easily. Kaoru looked up and caught the contemplative look on Megumi's face just before the door swung open and the redhead walked it. Kaoru's body simply froze. Part of her mind registered how handsome he looked in his tailor made robes. Another part of her braced for the coming interrogation. He was going to grill her on how she took over Tomoe's place. Kaoru wondered how she was going to handle him. Distressed, she watched as Megumi left quietly. Oh hell, why was she so good at getting into mountains of trouble? And of all people to get engaged to, did it have to be him?
Kenshin felt his sister leaving the room and instantly felt more at ease. His tense muscles relaxed and his eyes involuntarily seek Kaoru. He watched her carefully, his face masked, not wanting her to know just how deeply he was involved in bringing her here today. If she knew, he had a feeling she would find a way to escape.
Would have.
Now, it was too late.
Kenshin would never admit it but he was left very shaken after the incident at the temple. He had only wanted a way to seal Kaoru's fate with his. He wanted a way to make her his. He had never expected Dioni to seal their fates for life. When the bowl had turned a bright gold, he was as shocked as everyone else. Who knew the woman he had fallen in love with was the woman he was truly destined with? Truly, Dioni worked in mysterious ways.
He had been so nervous, wondering if his plan would work. He had handpicked the people he would work with. It was truly not very hard. During the days he visited Tomoe, he noticed Tae keeping a watchful eye on Kaoru. He also noticed Hattori, the old man who worked in the household, who also kept an eye for Kaoru. Instinct had him trusting them with his well-formed plan. However, even he had not expected such amazing results.
Now, even his mother did not have the right to end this union. Dioni had blessed them. Dioni had picked her out of the multitude of women around him, Dioni had picked her and for that, Kenshin was grateful.
Yet it was not time for him to reveal the truth of the matter to her. Something in him held him back. Part of him knew she would rebel if she knew his plans.
So he stood still and watched her. He watched the woman who had become is betrothed. He watched as she raised her head up and her dark blue eyes met his across the room. Kenshin suppressed the dizzying desire to strode over and pull her into his arms. The extent of his need for her frightened him. He had never wanted a woman so badly before. She was the very first woman to send his senses riling and his mind scrambling for something to hold on to.
Kaoru watched wearily as Kenshin watched her. He was no more a man she met by the river. He was no more the son of the ruler of Khaheleb. He was no more Tomoe's promised.
He was hers.
Whether they wanted it or not, Dioni had blessed them so greatly that it shook her to her very core.
This man, who was the son of the most privileged family in Khaheleb belonged to her.
She wanted nothing more than to run and hide but her pride and her stubbornness made her stand and face him. If nothing more, she owed him an apology.
Neither spoke. Each watched the other quietly, summing up their opponent.
"I see you have increased your status at a blink of an eye," Kenshin finally broke the silence as he walked over to her. Neither his voice nor his face betrayed the amusement he felt at the quick intake of her breath. He watched as she braced herself when he neared and almost smiled. Oh yes, she was finally his.
Kaoru released a tense breath when Kenshin walked past her and sat on the chair she vacated. Although he was sitting now and not towering over her – despite the fact that he was not very tall, he was still intimidating – Kaoru could not shake the feeling of being intimidated by him.
"My Lord, if you would please let me explain, this is all a misunderstanding. Perhaps, there is a way to undo all of this?" Kaoru ventured as she turned and faced him, her heart beating faster and faster. The question did remain inside of her. Did she want to undo any of this?
By a trick of fate, she became the betrothed of the future ruler of Khaheleb. The irony of the situation was not lost on her but she hardly felt like laughing. As much as she desired the man before her, Kenshin had been courting her stepsister, and Kaoru did not want anything that belonged to Megumi, even if he was a man she had a slight crush on.
He waved away her words with a single careless gesture. "Do you think you can undo what just happened, Kaoru? Even you would not be so naive as not to realize what had happened? We were blessed by Dioni...How are you planning to undo something like that?"
"But you can't expect to marry me when you obviously do not have any feelings for me, my Lord! That is preposterous!" Kaoru cried out as she turned her back on him, forcing her eyes away from the image that tortured her. Forcing herself from the future she could see with him. It would not do to dream of that future. She had a goal and to achieve it, Kaoru could not afford any distractions or troubles. Kenshin was a walking disaster! No matter how much her heart longed for him, her priority was her mother and her land. To get hold of these two, these few days without Enishi around was the best way for her to lay out her foundation. Getting engaged to Kenshin only spelled disaster.
His voice was cold as the words dripped from his lips. "But you got us engaged, Kaoru. Blessed by Dioni, who we never go against. I will never go against. Whether you or I want it or not, we are to be wed. In a week."
Startled, Kaoru turned and faced the stranger before her, her eyes wide. "I cannot marry you. You know who I am. Do you not think Lady Tomoe will make a better bride? A better ruler?" Kaoru said quietly, despite the clench in her heart at the thought of Tomoe anywhere near him. She had gotten used to it, she tried to convince herself. It was better if she was not involved with this man.
"Unfortunately," Kenshin said with a lazy drawl, watching Kaoru with unreadable eyes, "I have never gone against Dioni and I have no plans in starting a new tradition for you. You should be happy," Kenshin muttered quietly as he rose and stood before her. His hand reached up and trailed a finger down her face, feeling the soft smooth skin of her cheeks. His eyes drank in her vision, standing before him as lifeless and still as a statue. If not for the red hue on her cheeks or the shock in her eyes, he would have thought of her as a statue. "After all, you managed to secure your marriage to me."
If anyone had managed to successfully push her into reality, he did with those very words. Kaoru pulled back abruptly, forcing herself to ignore the thug she felt when the warmth of his hand disappeared.
"How can I make you understand that this was a misunderstanding?" Kaoru begged as she took a few steps back, ensuring the distance between them. "How can I make you understand that I do not want to marry you?"
Anger filled him, quick and hot. He grabbed Kaoru's arms and pulled her towards him, crushing her soft body against his hard and subtly muscular one. One hand forcefully branded Kaoru against him, securely wrapping her waist, another rose to capture her face and imprison it so that she would not be able to move no matter how much she tried. He could not help the surge of satisfaction he felt at the leap of fear in her eyes but he wanted her to understand more than anything that she belonged exclusively to him.
In that one instant, she thought he was going to kiss her. Excitement and fear rippled within her, so great were they that she had to close her eyes so that he would not sense the feelings he was creating within her.
Kenshin hissed when her eyes closed. His hand tilted her face and he ordered her to open her eyes.
"You do not have a choice, Kaoru. You do not have a single choice to who you belong. You were given to me! You are mine. You will marry me and no other. Do not be misled by the gentleness you see in me, my pet. I am not a generous man. On the contrary, I am extremely selfish. From the moment I laid my eyes on you, I knew you were mine. Now, you have been officially given to me. Do not make the mistake of thinking I will let you go!"
She shivered against him, trying unsuccessfully to break his hold on her. His voice frightened her, leaving her weak and shaken. Somehow, despite the sudden siege on her senses, she knew if she did not stand up to him now, he will continue to threaten her to achieve whatever he wanted.
Forcing herself to remain relaxed in his arms, she looked him straight in the eye. He was not Tomoe or Enishi. She would not allow him to rule over her.
"Listen to yourself! If for one moment you think I will even agree to this marriage, you are insane! I will not marry you! I am NOT a thing for you to claim. I am a woman and even if you do not recognize me as one, that does not give you the right to treat me as one of your belonging! If you think I will simply nod my head and agree to your every whim, you are sadly mistaken, my lord!"
The words, coupled with her fiery sapphire orbs, caused a desire so great he had not been prepared for it. She truly was magnificent. Despite being imprisoned in his arms and being subjected to a treatment most men would run away from, she had dared to threaten him! If ever a woman existed for him, it was her.
"You should have thought of that before you arranged to take Lady Tomoe's place. Since you brought this problem on yourself, you will suffer the consequences."
"My lord! How many times do I need to say this? I am not responsible for this mix-up. There has been a misunderstanding! If we clear this up, you may go ahead with your plan to marry Lady Tomoe," Kaoru cried out as she tried to twist away from his hold.
Kenshin's response to her efforts was just to tighten his hold until she gave up.
"Whatever your excuse, the deed is done. Even if I wanted to, I will not be able to change Dioni's blessings. You are tied to me, whether you want to or not, Kaoru. I will have to figure out how I am going to deal with this," he replied in a deceptively calm voice.
Distraught, Kaoru wondered if there was any way to stop the wedding. Then she wondered if she even wanted to stop it. Not like she had any choice. She was by no means a virgin or an innocent. She was not suitable for him by any means.
"Be reasonable, my lord! Your parents would not approve! They will not want you to marry a woman of my station in society!"
"They have no say in this matter and they know it."
"That is ridiculous! There has to be a way out," Kaoru reasoned just as she gave up trying to wriggle out of his arms. Kenshin merely dropped his hands the moment she relaxed, causing her to stare at him before moving away cautiously.
"There is none."
"You do not seem like a man who is wondering how he can get out of this situation!" Kaoru yelled as she paced the room. She felt trapped.
Of course she was attracted to Kenshin! Only a fool would not be attracted to the beautifully dangerous man before her. But she was not a fool and definitely not an optimist. As long as she stood in Tomoe's way, the woman will make her life miserable. She could not imagine the kind of punishment waiting for her at home. Not to mention, her mother. If the siblings did anything to her mother, she would kill them. She had no doubt that she would.
Kenshin felt a wave of pity as he watched her pace the room, trying to find a way out of their impending marriage. He wished he could tell her the truth but he felt as though she was not yet ready to face it. Moreover, his heart was singed every time she kept saying she wanted their engagement to end.
Could she not see that he was offering her a better life?
If she could not see it, he would have to make her see it! He would have to make her understand!
He did not go to painful lengths to get her, only to lose her.
"You may search for an answer all you want, but there are none. Answer me this. Who planned this elaborate skim to exchange the brides? You could not have done it yourself?"
Kaoru opened her mouth and then abruptly shut it. She could not rat out Tae. The older woman was only looking out for her best interest.
Tae!
Bless her soul, she must have thought Kaoru was better off with the ruler's son! There were no other explanations for it! Why else would she convince Kaoru to take Tomoe's place under such a guise. But if she told Kenshin this, she was afraid he would punish Tae.
"I already told you. It was a misunderstanding, not a conspiracy. You just do not allow me to explain."
"I already told you, there is no need. It is too late. I am too tired to deal with you right now."
Knowing she was dismissed, Kaoru nodded her head. She glanced at the door longingly.
"May I leave for my house now, my lord?"
Kenshin smirked. His eyes were expressionless, making the smirk even more intimidating. Kaoru had a terrible feeling that she might not like what he has to say.
"Unfortunately, I do not know what game you are playing. As such, until we get married, you are to stay here. I will arrange for you to have your wardrobe brought here. Without my permission, you are not to leave this house."
Kaoru was so startled that she did not say a word. Her mind scrambled around, trying to find all the pieces and put them together. What in the world was going on?
"I do not understand...what do you mean I will not be going back?"
Kenshin raised his eyebrow. A questioning look entered his eyes. "It is what it means. You are to remain here. I will post a guard here. He will keep an eye on you. Even if Dioni blessed this union, there are a few people who worked together with you to pull off this scheme. I will figure them out eventually."
"You insufferable devil! If I kept resisting you before, why would I try something like this now? Why do you not let me explain? If you allow me to explain, you will understand how big a misunderstanding this is and maybe we can work something out!"
Kenshin, who was about to walk out, turned and faced Kaoru. He kept his face carefully blank despite the ridiculous surge of excitement he felt at seeing her in his house.
"Now why would I believe anything you say? You are the one who stole my supposed betrothed's place...What would stop you from lying about how you did it? In case you did not notice, I do not care how you did it anyways. It is done. Now, I need to work out how I am going to make it work. This is my future as well as yours. Stop dwelling on your mistake and start thinking on how you are going to make full use of it!"
With those words, he left.
Kaoru sank to the ground and looked at the floor blindly.
Was she going crazy? Did the conversation in the room just happen? Kaoru could not believe her ears. In reality, all his conversations should have been hers and vice versa. He should have been trying to find out what happened and how it happened. He should have been trying to find out how he was going to rectify the situation. Instead, Kenshin was like a bird which ate a canary. He was too relaxed, too calm and too collected. It was almost as though HE planned this whole charade just to bond her to him.
But that was crazy! No one in their right mind would marry a murderess' daughter!
Yet...his manner and his conversation made Kaoru wonder if she was still sane. She had been so sure he would have yelled at her and interrogated her. Instead, he insulted her, accused her, threatened her and warned her. He did everything but interrogate her.
Confused and disoriented, Kaoru wondered what she was going to do now. She was banned from leaving the house. As a result, she could not get the land documents from Enishi's keep. She will also lose her ability to visit her mother. She will not be able to see her friends.
Kaoru looked out of the window from the floor.
Nothing has changed, she thought dully, as reality began to sink in. Nothing had changed. She was betrothed but her intended does not love her or trust her. He was going to marry her because Dioni had blessed them. Whatever he felt at the river and Tomoe's place had obviously changed ever since he saw her with Enishi. Still, he was not going to question it or her. He was simply going to accept her because Dioni willed it. Nothing has changed at all. The truth of the matter hit her so hard, she could barely breath.
Her cage had changed from one of rusty iron to gold bars.
But a cage was still a cage.
She was still a prisoner.
This time, she highly doubted there was a small chance of escape unless she found a way to stop the wedding. She had always dreamed of marriage and a family. She had also dreamed of him. But Kaoru had no desire for a husband who was only performing a duty to their deity. She had no desire for a man who did not trust or respect her.
Even if this was the hardest thing she was going to have to do, Kaoru knew she had to find a way to get out of a loveless marriage before she was trapped forever.
XXX
She stood before them, a beautiful woman with a cold face. She still wore her engagement robes and looked as though at any moment, she would go for her engagement.
One woman in particular was made to kneel before her.
Tomoe looked at Tae. She knew Tae had cared for Kaoru for many years and was the only servant who looked out for Kaoru. She had always allowed the maid to be but at that moment, she wondered if she had made a mistake.
"Did you or did you not help Kaoru take my place?"
Tae almost shivered at the cold and harsh whisper of her mistress' voice. She knew that Tomoe was beyond angry. She was furious and Tae would bear the brunt of her mistress' anger if she did not come up with any reason to prove she did not help Kaoru.
"My Lady, as much as I have cared for that child so far, I know who put food in my belly and quenched my thirst. I did not help the child, my lady," Tae solemnly said as she kept her eyes down and her head bowed.
She was shocked when she felt Tomoe's feet at her neck. "Tell me again, did you help her?"
Suppressing a shudder, Tae kept her voice even. "I did not, my lady."
Tomoe looked up at her servants, lined up and kneeling before her.
"WHO?" she screamed. She wanted to throw something! Break something! Hit someone! But she would not shame her upbringing by such petty show of her lack of control. She wanted this people before her to fear her not mock her.
She began to pace up and down, taking in every face, every gesture. "Who helped that miserable worm to go in my place? Who?"
No one made a sound.
Frustration rode high and Tomoe felt a terrible headache attacking her. She wanted her brother and she wanted him now!
She turned to leave and shot one last quelling look over her shoulders.
"When I find out who helped her, there will be hell to pay. You will wish you never even laid your eyes on her. When I get my hands on the imbecile that dare to go against me, I will make sure your every minute is a living hell, do I make myself clear?"
No one made a sound.
Tomoe nodded, satisfied she had made her point, and left.
In her room, she carefully removed her gown and left it to be kept by the maids. She was still distraught. That woman had managed to escape her. In all her years, Tomoe had always kept an eye on Kaoru. She had always wanted to ensure Kaoru would never be able to get free. Yet now...
She will have to think of something and when Enishi finally returns, he will help her too. He was obsessed by her, after all. Tomoe could use that. She could use her brother's obsession for her own means.
She will get Kaoru back and then she will slowly kill her one day at a time.
XXX
Kenshin walked out of Kaoru's room without a single facial expression. Outside, he looked calm, composed and controlled. Inside, he was a mass of emotions! She was finally his! That one thought chased away all others. She was finally his. He did not care if it was a mere infatuation, a crush or whatever anyone wants to call it. She was his! Even if his mother asked him to, he could not send her away. Dioni blessed her to be his. Dioni blessed them!
Kenshin felt like shouting and laughing and dancing! Yet he managed to keep a tight rein on his feelings and walked outside the house. It was not really his home. His home was much further away but bringing Kaoru there would cause unnecessary rumours. It was better all around if she stayed at the house his family owned at the village. Soon he will be bringing her back.
He frowned when he thought of Tomoe. He had a feeling the dark-eyed woman will not let this matter lie dormant. Whatever happens, Kenshin did not want Tomoe anywhere near Kaoru.
A smile almost sneaked past his defences. She had looked so young and vulnerable, standing there, pleading with him to understand it was all a misunderstanding. Kenshin did not want to hear the whole story. He knew the whole story. He orchestrated it! What he had wanted at that moment was to gather Kaoru in his arms and kiss her senseless. Since he could not do that for fear of frightening her away, he had done the next best thing. He had played with her. If he had wanted to maintain his cover over the part he played, he should have handled the situation differently but Kenshin could not bring himself to care.
Until they were safely married, he was not going to take any chances with her. Beginning with her safety. And Kenshin knew just the man for it.
Aoshi.
Ever since Sano told him Aoshi was in love with another maid at the Yukishiro household, Kenshin had begun to relax around his trusted man. He knew he could rely on Aoshi to keep Kaoru safe.
Outside, Aoshi stood silently. Kenshin spared him a glance and then thoughtfully looked at him.
"Aoshi. My family?"
Aoshi gave no indication he heard except to follow Kenshin from behind.
"They have left, my Lord."
"Sano?"
"Waiting outside."
"Watch over her. Make sure she does not leave anywhere and make sure she is well taken care off. No one is allowed to see her especially the household of Yukishiro."
"His Lord and Lady?"
"No one. My orders. Keep an eye on her."
Aoshi nodded slightly and stopped at the doorway. He watched Kenshin leave with mixed feelings deep inside of him.
It was not time. When it was time...
Aoshi glanced at the door behind him.
When it was time, he will make her tell him what in the world happened. There was no way the woman he knew would have conspired something like this. Something smelled like a conspiracy. He will give her time to settle down. Tomorrow, he will find out what happened. For now, she needs some rest.
Kenshin walked outside and saw Sano leaning against the gate, their horses saddled and ready to be ridden. His usual fishbone lay between his teeth and he watched Kenshin wearily. At Kenshin's nod however, they both mounted their horses and rode hard and fast back home. Kenshin still needed to talk to his parents and convince them that all was good and Kaoru was a better woman compared to Tomoe.
"How did everything go?" Sano finally asked as they neared the main house. They slowed their horses as they rode past the gates.
"What do you think?"
"I think I was absolutely shocked to see the day's progress!"
Kenshin chuckled. Sano frowned. "Damn it, Kenshin! You look so damn happy! I would not have thought that possible considering what happened...What happened? Where is Shinomori?"
"I left Aoshi to guard Kaoru."
Sano frowned. "Kaoru? As in your Kaoru? Where was she?"
Kenshin smirked. "She was in the room with Megumi. Where were you during the engagement?"
"I was there but all the noise and excitement deafened me. I could not hear anything and no one was talking on our way here. I was just wondering what Jou-chan was doing here."
Confused, Kenshin threw a curious look at his friend. "Jou-chan? As in Aoshi's Jou-chan? Where was she?"
This time Sano slowed down as they reached Kenshin's home. He gave Kenshin a very dirty look. "Well Kenshin, considering the fact you tied yourself to Aoshi's Jou-chan, you should know where she was. Where was your Kaoru? If anything, I thought you will find a way to marry her instead! Not Jou-chan! How did Aoshi take the news? He must have been furious when the veil was lifted and his woman's face was hidden behind it. I can't begin to understand what he must be feeling right now. Hey, Kenshin? Are you listening? As long as Aoshi does not meet Jou-chan and continues to guard Kaoru, it should be fine. I wonder what will happen though...Kenshin?"
Kenshin stilled. His body simply froze as he put the pieces together.
"The woman I got engaged to was Aoshi's Jou-chan?"
"Yeah, I was wondering where your Kaoru was? How Aoshi reacted? Weren't you even listening?"
"She was Aoshi's Jou-chan...?" the disbelieve in Kenshin's voice made Sano frown as he stopped his horse in front of Kenshin.
"That's what I told ya, Kenshin!"
"Sano that can't be right. You don't understand..." Kenshin said carefully as he studied his friend. "The woman I got engaged to today was Kaoru."
Unexpected silence reigned around them.
Sano suddenly understood. And he was far from amused.
"Oh shit! Damn it, Kenshin! Your Kaoru is Aoshi's Jou-chan and you just left them both together at that house!"
The knowledge rushed through Kenshin and he turned, ready to ride back to town when his name was called from the main house.
"Kenshin! I want to talk to you right now," his father called him.
His face grim, his eyes narrowed, Kenshin considered his options. He could not turn his back on his father. At the same time, the woman he loved and finally bonded to him was with a man who could take her away in a heartbeat.
"Kenshin!"
His father's voice rang out once more.
Kenshin still stood there, Sano watching him closely. They had two choices. Sano already knew which one he would make. He was ready.
"Baka Deshi."
Kenshin cursed. His choice was already made for him. Cursing internally, he rode forward followed closely by Sano.
XXX
"Where do you think you are going, little girl?"
Her eyes widen with fear and her small hands clutched the doll closely to her chest. She looked wildly around her, trying to find a way to escape when his hand gripped her arm and hoisted her on his shoulder. She began to trash around, dropping her doll in her haste to escape but his grip was strong.
"Please, not again! It hurts! I don't wan' play with you! Let go!"
"Shuush...little girl. You have been a very naughty girl. I am going to teach you a lesson," the face of her nightmare leered at her as he dropped her on the bed and shut the door. The room was instantly dark.
"Please..." she whimpered. She could not see. She did not know where he was. It was worse when she did not know where he was.
She tried to hear him but her small ears picked up no sound.
She moved away slowly and got down from the bed. Still, there was no sound. Maybe she could sneak away from him. Maybe she could leave. She did not want to play. He was not like her papa. Her papa never hurt her like that.
She reached the door.
Small hands reached for the knob.
A foul smell hit her nose.
She screamed when his hand caught her throat in one tight grip.
"Kaoru! Kaoru, wake up! Kaoru!"
Kaoru trashed about, her hands and legs waving wildly, pushing away the hands that tried to grab hold of her.
"Kaoru!"
"No!" she screamed. "No, please stop! No!"
"Damn it, Kaoru! Please wake up!"
The insistent voice broke through the hazy fear surrounding her. She opened her eyes instantly, her body jerking up only to collide with a solid wall. Kaoru grabbed the steady chest before her and took in the clean scent she rarely scented.
Strong arms pulled her into a tight embrace. Soft gentle voice soothed her fear away.
"Aoshi-san..." Kaoru muttered, embarrassed and yet glad he was there. Her face was painfully pale and her breath came out in uneven gasps. Her whole body could not stop trembling.
"Are you all right, Kaoru-san?"
He was shaken. Internally, his mind was still running about, trying to settle down. When he heard her whimper, he had decided to stay outside. But her ki went haywire and Aoshi knew something was wrong. The words that tumbled from her lips made him bit back an oath as he struggled to calm down the frightened woman.
She still had nightmares.
That thought killed him. After all these years, she had not healed.
"I am fine now, Aoshi-san. It's just a nightmare."
Aoshi nodded. He could still feel her trembling lightly but he did not want to push her. He pulled back and looked at her carefully before getting up to leave. She looked terrible. So hauntingly young. He ignored the clutch in his gut. Even as he stood, he felt his sleeve being pulled and turned back to the woman in the bed.
Her dark hair tumbled sexily down and her blue eyes were dark with an emotion he did not know.
"Will you please stay? I do not think I can sleep alone."
It was not an easy request to make but she still made it. She wondered what he might do. She had not expected to ask him to stay. The words were out before she could even think about them. She wanted him to stay. She knew that. He had not asked her anything. He had not pushed. He had simply nodded at her and sat outside her room the whole day.
Kaoru wished he would, though. She wished he would spend the night by her side. Usually, when she had nightmares, Tae or Lady Saya would have been there. Their mere presence would lull her to sleep. Now, with thoughts of that monster in her head, she doubted she could sleep a wink all night. It had been awhile since her nightmares came back. Perhaps, she mused internally, Megumi had triggered her memories.
To both their surprise, Aoshi settled on the floor and rested his head on the bed. No words passed between them.
"Sleep."
Kaoru blinked, smiled and curled back into bed.
"Good night, Aoshi-san."
Aoshi closed his eyes.
"Good night, Kaoru-san."
Kaoru closed her eyes but she did not sleep. Her nightmare was still vivid in her mind. She remembered that night like many nights during those three long years. She remembered each one of them.
She only wished she could forget.
Thoughts of Kenshin slipped into her mind. She could not understand that man. He knew who she was. He knew what had happened. Yet for him to honor Dioni's words and not even desire to rebel was something she could not understand.
She remembered how he looked early that day. He was so handsome. When he held her hand, she could feel the pull between them. Sparks had shoot through her whole body. When he held her in the room, the warmth from his body and the promise in his eyes made Kaoru's own body feel weak and heavy.
How she wished he had continued holding her like that?
With thoughts of the redhead in her mind, she slipped into a dreamless sleep.
XXX
Author's Note:
Hey everyone! I'm back!
First of all, THANK YOU SO MUCH for all your reviews! It was amazing! Even if I wanted to, with so many encouraging reviews, there was no way I could stop writing! Thank you all so much!
Secondly, so sorry it took months before I could update this story. I really wanted to write but my whole life changed within a few months and I am still adjusting to my new life.
I hope this chapter was ok. It was something I had a vague idea about and I tried to put it on paper. I hoped it turned out right. Since I am rushed for time, I did not get the chance to check this thoroughly. I bet there are careless mistakes, grammatical errors and so on...please forgive me for them. Also...if the chapter is not up to my usual standard, i am sorry. I will do better in the next one.
I hope you guys enjoy reading this story! Thank you all for your support! Happy reading and have a nice day!
