A/N: It hurts me to write about domestic abuse. It is a reality that happened around me. Yet, I owe it to all women to write about it.

I hope every woman and girl that read this story find the motivation to respect themselves and to choose men who treat them as human should be. I hope every man that read this learned that violence toward your significant other and children are not to be tolerated.

I once went to a village and a woman told me about a man who had many wives. 'But he treated all of them fair Miss. When he buys a new cloth for one wife, he will also buy new clothes for the other wives. When he hit a wife for a mistake, he will hit all of his wives." Yes my friends, there are still people like that.

"Sometimes a man just has to hit his wife because she acts childish" I heard that words before. If you cannot love other like you love yourself, how can you say that it is truly love.

Anyway, to make things a bit lighter, I put Kenshin's PoV in the beginning of the story. The song all of me-recommended by Razielle Rae- inspired me for this part

What would I do without your smart mouth?

Drawing me in, and you kicking me out

You've got my head spinning, no kidding, I can't pin you down

What's going on in that beautiful mind

I'm on your magical mystery ride

And I'm so dizzy, don't know what hit me, but I'll be alright

-All of Me song lyric-

Chapter 14

She swirled and leaped, the rain water drenched her long dark silken hair.
Sometimes she twisted and became as graceful as a dancer. Other times, she jumped as klutzy as a child. She was both beauty and freedom and the King of Hiten could not stop himself from smiling as he saw the Queen of Kamiya frolicking under the rainwater on her first day in his palace.

At that time, Kenshin Himura had just arrived back to the royal bedroom from his first encounter with the teen queen. He was still attempting to recover his crushed ego after his little dove, literally 'belittled' (he cringed at that) him. That was before he caught her playing in the rain like a small child in the royal garden. Everything that took place in the royal garden could be picked up from his room's balcony.

Kaoru was dazzling as she smiled, cried out, and laughed under the rain. She was beaming with happiness that his heart felt warm as he gazed at her. She was so endearing that he could not help himself from sneaking into the garden gazebo and watched as she slept peacefully. After his daily life of demands and obligations, he felt refreshed just to see such a carefree soul.

'She had invariably been more of a dream than a reality for me'

However, a few days ago, he found out that Kaoru Himura-a name that she would maintain for the remainder of her life-was as resolute as she was kind. She was firm and unyielding as she demanded him to cave in.

But even that was a lot more preferable than her recent flawless acts as a dutiful wife. Every night, they ate dinner together in their private dining room. In front of the handmaidens, she would ask him about how his day went. She would smile at the right times, and would perform the right gestures. However, her smiles did not extend to her eyes. He could no longer feel her warm aura, trying to open up his mental defenses. She stopped reaching out to him.

As they moved back into their sleeping room, she would open the secret passage and would walk on her path to the gazebo without saying any word. It was almost as if he didn't exist.

And Kenshin Himura hated it. He wanted her true smiles. He wanted her carefree laughs. He wanted her warm kindness. He wanted all of her.

Each dawn he woke up alone in the royal bed except the morning after his nuptial, when she was still there.

She had blatantly refused his rights as her husband and her spot in his bed. He hoped that time would wipe out her anger and she would finally learn to take her right seat. She must learn that what he had practiced outside their bedroom was none of her business.

Kenshin had decided to be patient. He would court her if necessary in order to speed up the process.

The guards had reported to him that the Queen was speaking with Megumi at the minute. The bodyguard Sanosuke Sagara had taken his ease after a long journey at the castle soldiers' barrack.

For now, Kenshin would spare his life. Killing her childhood friend would not likely make Kaoru more willing to come back to him.

Kenshin moved his writing table and chair to the balcony. He studied the paper works that he fetched from his office. The scene on the balcony was beautiful and would help him concentrate, he recalled. And Kaoru might come to the garden again like she always does every day. And maybe… just maybe… he could capture a glance of her true smile when she takes pleasure of the garden's beauty.

XXXX

No one truly wanted to hear her side of story. Even the King only knew a part and decided to save her. He did not bother to ask her the whole story. Whether it's because he did not desire to upset her or did not like, she did not know.

Megumi Takani had always been a prideful woman. Her pains were always concealed under her cold appearance. She did not want anyone to pity her. But to lose a friendship from Kaoru, was one of the things she did not want. For Megumi had come to respect and genuinely cared for her.

Her lonely life became less meaningless as she worked along with Kaoru to help child births. Megumi found herself smiling more as she got used to Kaoru's cheerfulness.

"Will you hear my story, my queen?" she pleaded.

Kaoru stopped her steps. She turned around and was concerned to look at Megumi's expression. There were tears glistening in her eyes. Slowly, Kaoru walked toward her. Gently she touched Megumi's shoulder.

"Sit Lady Megumi and tell me your story."

Kaoru could feel the anxiety and sadness pouring from Megumi's body. She might no longer trust her, but Kaoru would not be Kaoru if she walked away from a soul in such pain.

XXXX

Megumi was the only daughter of the celebrated physician Katsura Takani and Lady Ikumatsu. Her father was the King's personal physician. A kind hearted man who had spent years in Kamiya to learn about medicine.

She was her parents' last child. Her two brothers were already studying in the Kingdom's Military Academy when she was born. She was their princess. Pampered and loved by both parents and two brothers. And then she gathered all the best as the titled lady of Hiten. Her father still insisted to teach her science and other knowledge which was deemed unladylike by the Hiten's society. He would have taught her medical skills if he had not passed away when she was only 10 years old.

Megumi and Ikumatsu faced the bitter reality when her father and both brothers died in a warfare. In the same day, the king himself (the father of King Kenshin) brought back three bodies with three golden swords. Symbols of honor. Three sacrifices in the altar of war.

As Hiten law decreed only men were allowed to inherit, all her family treasures were taken by Iizuka Takani, the older brother of Katsura. Iizuka was a covetous man, who did not actually worry much about Megumi and her mother. He had a grudge against Megumi's father because Katsura had refused to pay his gambling debts in the yesteryear.

Megumi and her mother were allowed to stay in their mansion, but treated as servants. Their beautiful kimono, gowns and jewelries were taken by the uncle's wife and daughters and were replaced by unwanted old clothes. They were displaced to the servants' room and had given foods just like the handmaidens.

The only gems that his uncle did not take were the three golden swords.

Megumi and Ikumatsu could only stay at home because Iizuka thought they were not important enough to use the carriages.

The Hiten public seemed to forget that the famous Katsura Takani had a widow and a daughter. Even old friends did not eagerly seek their companionship. Two poor noble lady companionship would not be advantageous in any room.

Her uncle also forbade Megumi from attending any girls academies for nobles. Since all noble ladies of Hiten sought for the prospective brides for their sons in these academies, Megumi's chance to get properly married was almost non-existent.

Before she reached her 15th birthday, Takeda Kanryu came and offered a large dowry for her. Kanryuu said that he deeply honored Katsura and wanted to protect his daughter.

Ikumatsu did not like him. Takeda was not an accomplished warrior. He made his wealth by trading machinery guns. Many said that he made his profit by deliberately planning countries to contend against each other. Slaves and servants whispered that he was very cruel to his servants and slaves.

If only Katsura was alive, Takeda would not even have the chance to look at Megumi. But what is the utilization of 'if only'.

Iizuka gave his approval. Megumi and her mother believed anything was more well than be treated as servants in their own home. So Megumi took the practical way and willingly married Kanryu just days later on her 15th birthday. She brought her mother with her into the Kanryu House.

It was the worst decision she had ever made.

When he first arrived to woo her, Takeda was polite and respectful. At their wedding feast, he acted properly as any happy groom. Nevertheless, when the wedding night came, and they were alone, he simply showed his ruthless side.

Megumi did not want to recall how he roughly took her innocence. How he did not care about her pain and inexperience while he sought only his own pleasure.

There were bruises on her body after the wedding night. Bruises laid by a sadistic human being who did not worry about her cries and pleas.

The day after, Megumi cried for her lost innocence and all remainders of her childhood. Simply as any good wife in Hiten should be, she learned to preserve her silence. There was no use to worry her mother. There was no use airing her troubles. The law would not do anything against her husband because she was literally his possession. He could even kill her and off with it without any punishment.

So the 15-year-old Megumi began to endure the cold mask of impassivity. At least, she was the mistress of his household. At least, her mother was safe and honored.

Takeda Kanryu loved to care for her like an expensive bird. He lavished her with luxurious gowns, kimonos, and jewelries. He led him to various public feasts, boasting that he had snatched the beautiful daughter of the famous Katsura Takani.

Megumi played her part very well. She was refined and elegant, but a bit aloof. Yet, it only made her more mysterious, more exciting in the eyes of others. The noble women gossiped about her beauty which was complimented by all beautiful wardrobe that money could purchase. Ikumatsu, who also came along to these feasts, were proud of her daughter's rising position in the Hiten's society.

When men sent compliments on her beauty. When women looked at her with envy. When her mother smiled proudly towards her. Megumi could only pretend that she was happy.

"Am I not a kind and dutiful husband, my lady?" Takeda sneered. "If not for me, you would have rotten away as a spinster in your uncle's house." He said that in daily basis along with other insults and Megumi would just keep her silence. If he roughly demanded her to answer, she would forever articulate, "Yes my lord. I am really grateful."

No one recognized that the serene Lady Megumi Kanryu hide a great pain under her elegant smile. The hollowness in her spreads even to a greater extent as she professed to be glad.

When Takeda Kanryu found out that Megumi was pregnant, he ceased on treating her roughly. He went more often to bordello to satisfy his lust and Megumi was deeply relieved. She managed not even care that he looked for other women. She would be very thankful if he would just leave her alone.

Megumi softly caressed her womb. Even though she hated the father of her child, she would love this child. She begged that she would give birth to a son. A son that would protect and love her.

'Please don't give me a daughter. That man will likely treat her cruelly," she prayed to all deities that she knew.

Megumi was in her seventh month and she was very much contented. Takeda had been treating him equally easily as he could be. At least, he no longer beat her though he still constantly insulted her.

Even so, she learned again that night, that nothing good lasts forever. Takeda Kanryu was very intoxicated. He ran to his room and saw Megumi sleeping peacefully. And in a wink of an eye Megumi's screams of pain filled the room. He had sadistically beaten his wife until she suffered from a miscarriage.

The public knew that Megumi was pregnant and nothing could be performed to conceal the fact that Megumi had a miscarriage. Takeda made an excuse that his wife fell from the stairs.

The King, Kenshin Himura suddenly came to the Kanryu's household and demanded to see Megumi immediately. As he looked at the bruises on Megumi's face which were unable to be hidden even by the woman's veil and the welts in her hands, he knew then that Megumi had not fallen from the stairs.

Kenshin had never liked Takeda. He handled his wife like a trophy and he had yet heard him, saying inappropriate things around her in the public banquets. Only Takeda could lay such bruises on her since no one else in the house would dare to hurt Megumi.

After the visit, he passed a strict warning to Takeda to acquire a good upkeep of his wife. He would find a way to punish the man.

XXXX

Lady Ikumatsu had always been the submissive woman that Hiten's society demanded. She had never questioned the dominance of her husband or her male relatives. But as she watched the almost lifeless body of her daughter, nothing could have stopped her from protecting Megumi.

Ikumatsu had suspected that Takeda had treated Megumi badly. To what extent, she did not know. More than once, she heard the servants whispered about it before they broke off instantly when they acknowledged her presence.

However, Megumi never said anything. When Ikumatsu asked how Takeda treated her, Megumi would just smile and said, "He is kind mother." Was she truly a bad mother that she did not even see that her daughter was suffering? Did she not try enough to ascertain out the truth because it was convenient for her?

Whatever it was. Ikumatsu would not allow her daughter to suffer again. Nothing could cover the fact that her daughter was beaten until she lost her first child

She looked at the three golden swords. Her only treasures. She never found pride whenever she looked at those. She rather had her husband and two sons than any honor.

Ikumatsu took the swords and went to her former house. Iizuka and his family were not in the household. She called on Souzou, the loyal servant of her husband.

"Sell these swords and give the money to me," she said.

"But my lady, these are…."

"Do not say anything again Souzou. It must be done."

Souzou had heard the rumors about Megumi from the servants of the Kanryu's house. The loyal servant knew that Lady Ikumatsu would not call for such desperate measures if there was another way.

"Yes, my lady. I will as soon as possible."

XXXX

Ikumatsu waited until Megumi fully recovered. Since the King's visit, Takeda had slept in another room. He never even got to see Megumi again. Ikumatsu was relieved that she was free to assume care of Megumi.

It was the night that Ikumatsu had waited. Megumi had regained her health and able to walk steadily. After, the sun sets, Ikumatsu asked Megumi to come to the Kanryu's backyard discreetly.

Megumi was puzzled as she saw her mother standing beside a carriage with a bag in her right hand.

"What is it mother?"

"Ssshh… come. We must get within the carriage."

They both went inside the carriage. Ikumatsu put the bag in Megumi's lap.

"This carriage will take you to Kamiya. Out of the clutches of that man."

"Mother. I can't…."

"Listen to me Megumi. We do not have any time to argue. You can change your clothes into a male clothing inside this carriage. I had even set up fake documents for you."

"Mother… why are you?"

Ikumatsu sent a stern glare toward Megumi.

"Don't you dare lie to me. I will not let you suffer anymore." Ikumatsu hugged her daughter tightly.

"I am sorry Megumi. I really should have known better. I should have recognized earlier."

"Mother…" Megumi felt a lump in her throat. "I can't leave you here alone."

"It would be too suspicious if we are gone at the same time. I will tell that man that you visited our former home. Then, I will go to Kamiya the next morning after that man leaves the house," Ikumatsu said.

"Mother…"

"Don't worry Megumi."

Ikumatsu hugged her daughter once more and kissed Megumi's forehead. She hurriedly went outside the carriage. Before Megumi could protest more, she ordered the carriage driver to go.

XXXX

The carriage drove swiftly through the night. Megumi's mind was also preoccupied with so many matters. Her mother plan was good but… but… What if Takeda do not believe her? What if he looks for her in the Takani' House. What will happen to her mother then?

"Driver we must go back!" she shouted through the window.

"But the lady said…"

"If you do not go back now, I will jump out of this carriage!"

XXXX

A scream was heard. A scream of pain. Still not a woman's shriek, it was a man's scream.

Megumi hastily runs toward the source of the scream in the Kanryu's house. She would never forget the scenery unfolded. Kanryu, her tormentor, was on the floor with blood streaming from his lips. While Lady Ikumatsu, her beloved mother, was looking at him with a smile. A cold and vicious smile that expressed how she enjoyed her enemy's pain.

"Mother!"

Ikumatsu's face went pale as she saw the sight of Megumi.

"You should have never come back Megumi," she stated with a husky voice. "I only want to protect you."

XXXX

When the authorities came, Ikumatsu did not show any resistance. She acknowledged that she had intentionally killed Takeda Kanryu for his cruel treatment toward Megumi. She had slipped a poison inside a cup of wine and offered it to her son-in-law.

"And I do not regret it at all," she said spitefully.

King Kenshin Himura felt very conflicted. He wanted to protect Megumi and Ikumatsu but he could not condone intentional murder. Kenshin ordered his guards to take Megumi and Ikumatsu back to the Takani House the following night.

Oddly, Iizuka did not say anything bad to his relatives. He said that Megumi and Ikumatsu should take rest in their previous rooms.

Ikumatsu took Megumi and told her to sleep.

"No mother… No…."

"You have not sleep since yesterday Megumi."

"So do you mother. If I have to sleep, you have to sleep with me."

Ikumatsu sighed.

"Okay."

Mother and daughter slept in the same bed. Ikumatsu sang a lullaby for Megumi just like the time when she was a child. Megumi fell asleep in her mother's arms.

XXXX

Her mother was not in the bed when Megumi woke the following dawn. Megumi walked into the breakfast room and found her sitting in a chair.

"Mother, there you are."

Megumi walked toward Ikumatsu and hugged her from behind. Entirely then that she discovered that her mother's body was cold and she was not breathing. But then, Megumi noticed that there was dried blood in Ikumatsu's mouth and gown.

Megumi's agonizing screams were heard all over the house.

XXXX

Ikumatsu did not die by her own accord. Iizuka came to Megumi's room and demanded to speak to her.

Ikumatsu had dishonored the Takani family's name and must pay for her sins.

"Because you are my brother's widow, I will give you a choice. You can honorably kill yourself or be killed in front of your daughter tomorrow morning. If you try to resist, I will kill both you and Megumi. Better to get rid both sources of dishonor at one time," Iizuka said sternly.

"You won't dare! The King…."

"At this time, you are in my house. The King cannot protect you. Besides, since Kanryu had died, you both are once again under my authority. I sustain the rights even to kill both of you."

Ikumatsu looked at her brother in law with hate.

"I hope you make the right decision," Iizuka put a poison in front of Ikumatsu before he exited the room.

XXXX

Kaoru was holding the crumbling Lady Megumi in her hands. Too much… Too cruel… Too unfair.

"What occurred then?" Kaoru could not stop herself from asking. She must know what happened to the young Megumi. Oh God, Megumi had been younger than Kaoru was. How could she survive all that horrible incidences?

"The King saved me. After, he heard what happened to my mother, he was very mad. He executed my uncle, and let his sons inherited the Takani House and wealth. He took me under his protection and announced to the Hiten's public that I was his sister. He afforded me the responsibility and the ability to handle all domestic issues in the castle," Megumi said between her sobs.

Kaoru took a deep breath. All her enmity and distrust toward Megumi melted away. She could no longer blame her. Kaoru hugged Megumi tightly; she channeled her aura to set Megumi's frantic body.

"You are a strong woman Megumi. A brave woman. A woman that I will honor forever," Kaoru whispered.

"Your Majesty…."

"Can I ask you something Megumi?"

"Anything Your Majesty," Megumi was drying her tears with a handkerchief.

Kaoru looked at Megumi's brown eyes with all the affection and care she felt toward her.

"Will you be my friend Megumi?"

"But how can I…."

"I will not stop you from doing your obligations to the King. I have naught to cover anyway. But I want your friendship. I need a strong friend like you."

If Kaoru had pitied her, Megumi's pride would be hurt. But nothing but respect and affection were clearly expressed in her sky blue eyes.

"It will be an honor for me Your Majesty," Megumi said.

"When we are alone, please call me Kaoru."

"I…" Her sky blue eyes were pleading. "Okay… Kaoru…."

Kaoru hugged Megumi once more. There are many bonds of love in this world. And a bond between women will sustain them through all their spirits, whether the sky is dark or brilliant.

Author Note:

To Tsunderemoe: Well… there is a time for everything. For Kaoru, she just have to take that step or she won't be herself.

To Otaku-ka-ren: I think you'll sympathize more with Megumi after reading this chapter.

To rhie: I am not sure also that I can be called an author. I am just a writer and everyone who can write, can be a writer. Why don't you try it too. Maybe you will surprise yourself.

To Getsunohimesama: Woow, after reading your story, I read more about Sparta. Yes, their women were very brave and strong willed. Actually, what I meant was the warrior worshipping culture in Hiten. Like children in Sparta, children in Hiten were also trained in warfare since early age. But yes, the woman condition and status were quite different.

To Guest & hapiflower: I love Sano. That's the kind of man I wanted as my older brother. But in reality, I have a great older sister.

To kyoandyuya: I mean Sano and Saitou as archrival. Not Aoshi and Saitou. I won't make a great age gap between Aoshi and Misao. I really hate pedophilia and child predator.

To kimi. the. water. spirit : Thank you. I already edit the last chapter. Well, Kenshin live in a very masculine society that really suppresses women. If we read the newspapers, or even try to look deeper around, we might still find men such as Kenshin.

I once read a story about a man and a woman who love each other. The man became crazy since the woman's family refused his proposal. He became a wanderer who kept on making poetries to worship the woman beauty and purity.

The woman kept her mouth shut and just cried alone. When her parents demanded her to marry another man, she obeyed. Still, the story narrator said the woman was truly a good woman since she obeyed her parents. Yet, even after the marriage, she kept loving only one man. The narrator worshipped her because she was willing to take her burden in quietness.

Well… fortunately my Kaoru is nothing like that. She is not the 'pure helpless goddess'. She is a determined woman with flesh and blood and flaws.

To Angelica chibilua: Well, they are not exactly in the 'love' phase. And yes, Kenshin had not yet deserved Kaoru. Unfair it might be Angelica, it does happen in life (Though I will not tolerate infidelity).

To Ihaine07: Kaoru will pass it. In life, everyone get hurt. It's a reality. But after we pass it, we will get stronger.

To Guest: Yes, he is jealous. But love is much deeper than jealousy. He still has to learn much.

To Kao-Misao1728: Well I am trying to make a longer chapter. But, to be honest, sometimes long chapter can also make people felt bored. I just end it when I think it's time.

To MonNos & Random Christian: About blood in the sheet. I know that the Bible and other religious text mentioned about it. I know there is a logic behind it. Most women do bleed in their first intercourse.

Yet, it is not the same for every woman. Not every virgin bleed in their first intercourse because they may have different structure of hymen.

Even the blood can be easily faked. In this modern era, there are so many women who can easily get hymen reconstruction surgery.

There are women who accidentally broke their hymen because they perform harsh physical activities (such as martial arts) or fell from bicycles. Should women refrain from such activities just to preserve their 'virginity'? I don't think so.

There are women who suffer sexual abuse. In my opinion, they are still virgins. Because honestly, they were forced and could not be blamed. Will you blame a person if he or she bleeds because someone stabs him/her? No.

So how can you blame women who are abused because their hymens were broken?

Last, I do believe, the sexual experience of every person is her/his own privacy. Only their spouse should know about it. The public do not need to know. If my husband can accept me as who I am, why must other people judge me?

I do not condone sexual intercourse outside marriage. Many of my friends say I am old fashioned. So be it. The important thing is I do know God told us to do so.

In my opinion people who do so by their own will, are hurting themselves. But hey… who am I to judge? I can have my own values but I cannot force other people to receive my values.

To LucDexam: Sorry, but the only foreign language I am able to understand is English. However, a kind reviewer (you know who you are) had translated your review for me. I like it that you find my story very engaging. Hopefully it will continue to be so until this story end :D