Standard Disclaimers Apply. Chapter 1 The Engagement
After Dr. Genzai handed the gift to Kaoru, they spent the next few hours reminiscing. Kenshin remained beside Kaoru as he listened carefully to the stories that made up Kaoru's childhood. Most were happy, some were sad. Nevertheless, Kenshin smiled inwardly because he was learning new things about the woman he loved. Kaoru has blossomed graciously as a beautiful and kind-hearted woman. No wonder she is a pure and spirited girl. She got it from her parents.
As they recalled the memories of Kaoru's departed parents, both held a smile on their faces but the loneliness on their eyes spoke volumes. An hour had already passed and Dr. Genzai motioned to leave.
"Kaoru-chan," he said while stifling a yawn, "I think it's time for the kids and I to leave."
"Can't you just stay with us for the night?" pleaded Kaoru.
Dr. Genzai shook his head and replied, "I'm sorry but I can't leave the clinic. In case of some emergency, I can't bother Megumi because she needs her rest."
Kaoru nodded and said, "Alright but be careful, Dr. Genzai!! Ano… Maybe Kenshin can accompany you."
"Oro!" Kenshin immediately looked up and protested, "Kaoru-dono… I can't leave you here alone!!!"
Kaoru shot him a warning glance and said, narrowing her eyes, "You can't let them walk alone at this time! It's much more dangerous."
Kenshin sighed in resignation and stammered, "You're right… But… But…" A thought suddenly came to him causing him to flash his famous rurouni grin, "I know! Why don't you come with us? In that way, you won't be left alone in the dojo and we can walk them home."
"Kenshin!" Kaoru yelled, placing her hands on her hips. "You don't need to worry too much…" She suddenly paused when her mind reprimanded her, You can't blame him for being overprotective, Kaoru. After all that had happened, just give him his peace of mind. Nodding to herself in agreement, she smiled understandingly, "Alright, Kenshin. You win."
Kenshin smiled triumphantly, "Then, it is settled."
Kaoru looked down at the peaceful sleeping figures of the two children and hushed, "Let's not wake them up." She smiled as she leaned down, stretching out her arms to carry Ayame.
Kenshin looked at her admiringly as he followed her example, carrying Suzume. Kenshin sighed, She'll make a wonderful mother one day. How I wish… Kenshin's trail of thought was cut off when he noticed that Kaoru was staring at him while he was cradling Suzume. Trying to hide his flushed faced, he casually turned his back to her.
"I really appreciate this. Thank you," Dr. Genzai said sincerely.
Kenshin smiled as Kaoru replied, "You're welcome, Dr. Genzai!"
Dr. Genzai and Kaoru walked ahead of Kenshin because he had to lock up. The two continued with their chat while Kenshin followed them from behind, staring into space, Am I ready risk all this?
~~~~~
Upon hearing the gunshot, the servants rushed inside the dinning room to witness the commotion. There, they saw the cadaver of their master Marcus Laios. All retained a shocked demeanor except for one, who stepped forward and said calmly, "Regan, dear, I see you had accomplished your plans."
Regan nodded and replied in a perfect Japanese accent, "Yes, Nana. Thank you for your assistance. Will you kindly call Tobe to fix this mess."
Yuku, Regan's beloved childhood nanny, bowed down to show reverence and left.
Regan turned her attention to the servants of this house. She spoke of them firmly, "Listen up, everyone! I will not tolerate any unfaithful servants in this situation. If anybody came to ask where the master of the house is, tell him that your master left for a business trip. If anybody disobeys or betrays me, he will suffer the same fate as your master did. Do I make myself clear?"
Many were shaking in terror, nevertheless, all agreed for fear of their life. They bowed down to show their affirmation.
Tobe entered and carried the remains of Marcus. He asked as he looked at her with his beady eyes, "Mistress Regan, where shall I put this?"
Regan looked thoughtful for a moment and replied, "Place him inside the wine cellar located at the lower basement of the mansion. Lay him down at the farthest corner, burn him then seal him up with bricks and cement. Make sure the work is meticulously done and guard the wall until the cement dries."
Tobe bowed down, "As you say, mistress." With that, he turned around and started to walk away.
Regan addressed the servants once again, "I am going to leave Spain tomorrow evening. As payment for your loyalty, I will leave you with this house. Do with it as you please as long as nobody comes in and leave this hacienda. Tobe?"
The manservant stopped his tracks to face his austere land lady , "Yes, mistress?"
"I will leave you here to make sure that my orders are carried out properly. Guard the hacienda with your life and you will be recompensed greatly."
"Thank you for your generosity, mistress," With that, he left.
"Nana!!!" Regan called out. Directing the servants, she said, "You are all excused. Clean this mess."
"Yes, mistress," bowed the servants as they went their own separate ways.
Regan turned around and headed towards the upstairs chambers. Yuku followed her, slightly lagging behind. She asked, "Regan, what do you plan to do now?"
"I have the keys to Marcus' cabinets, I plan to know everything he is hiding." When they had reached Marcus' study room, Regan hugged Yuku. "Nana, I owe you everything. If you did not tell me that he wasn't my father, I wouldn't have gathered up my courage to fight him. Thank you."
"There's no need for that, Regan. You know that I treat you as my own daughter. I will do everything for you. I can't bear to see him hurt you anymore."
Regan squeezed her tighter as she said, "I know that. That scum deserved to die. He took me away from my family." She pulled back and looked straight into the eyes of the only person she trusted, "Do you think they'll be happy to have me back?"
Yuku nodded and smiled warmly, "Yes, they'll be happy. I am sure."
"Even if I had stained my hands to free myself from this cursed prison."
"Don't worry yourself about that. For now, why don't you open Marcus' cabinet to see what he is hiding?" Yuku suggested.
Regan nodded. She took out the key from her pocket and faced Marcus' portrait behind his chair. Yuku moved the chair closer so Regan can step up on it to remove the portrait. After the portrait was removed a hidden cabinet was revealed. She inserted the key inside the keyhole of Marcus' cabinet and turned it twice. The safe opened with a click. When she saw the contents of it, she gasped, "I can't believe it…"
She rummaged the contents of the cabinet. Feeling a hard object hidden between the scrolls, she held it up, staring at it wide-eyed. She ran her fingers through the carved framed and whispered audibly, "Mother…" She eyed the picture thoroughly as if trying to memorize her features. "She's so beautiful!!!"
"She looks just like you."
~~~~~
Kaoru glanced at Kenshin worriedly for the umpteenth time already. Oh my… he had been awfully quiet since we left the dojo. I wonder what's on his mind…
Why am I feeling like this? I haven't been so nervous since… well… never. What I if she doesn't feel the same way? What if she asks me to leave after this? What if…Ugh!!! This is so stupid! I shouldn't think of her like that… she won't do that to me. I shouldn't belittle her feelings that way. But still… Kenshin's facial expression was undecipherable as different conflicting emotions bombarded him. Breathe, Kenshin, breathe. That's it. Now… what am I supposed to tell her? Hmmm… what about 'Kaoru, remember the time when you told me you want to stay with me forever? Well, the time has come,' Oro! Kenshin creased his eyebrows in major disagreement with himself. I can't believe I thought of that… even if I did placed my fear of rejection aside, if I used that line on her… I might as well receive a sever bokken whacking. Kenshin imagined himself, beaten to the ground by an enraged Kaoru. Definitely not a good picture. I guess, I don't have any other choice. I'll just have to follow my heart… let the river flow its course…Kenshin sweatdropped. I'm absolutely losing it. I can't believe I am starting to sound like Aoshi…
Kaoru bit her lower lip as she observed the expressions playing on Kenshin's face. Finally mustering up all her courage, she took a deep breath and asked, "Kenshin, is something bothering you?"
Kenshin was snapped out of his contemplation as he turned to her with a questioning look and squeaked, "Oro!?"
Kaoru blushed at the cute look he gave her. "I mean… you look like you're in deep thought. Care to tell me why?" she asked nervously while fidgeting with her fingers.
Kenshin walked towards her and instead of answering her question, he just gave her a knowing smile.
Kaoru was supposed to yell at him for evading her query but, much to her surprise, Kenshin, held out his hand to intertwine it with hers.
He whispered to her ears, "I was thinking about you."
Kaoru's eyes softened as her cheeks flushed a dark hue. She let out a sigh of contentment as they continued to walk in silence. With a single gesture, the air of tension between them faded, replacing it with warm and inviting aura.
Kenshin's hand is so warm against mine. I feel so secure with him at my side. Oh Kami! Thank you for this wonderful birthday. I was able to spend it with my friends, I received a gift from mother and now… Kenshin broke his barrier and held my hand. Kaoru closed her eyes for a moment to savor the moment, Oh Kenshin, if only… Kaoru 's thoughts were cut short when she accidentally stumbled on a stray rock.
With Kenshin's fast reflexes, he was able to move in front of Kaoru, catching her in time. Kenshin took a step back to regain their balance however, a protruding root tripped him causing both of them to fall with Kaoru on top.
Kaoru blushed deeply upon the realization that her face was only centimeters away from Kenshin's. Both of them breathed heavily as their hearts beat furiously. Despite that, neither of them motioned to move. They just stayed in that position, gazing into each other's eyes.
Breaking the ice, Kenshin tucked a stray hair and whispered, "Are you alright, Kaoru-dono?"
"Mou Kenshin! I was the one who fell on top of you and you're worried about me?" she feigned a frown as she rolled to her back.
Kenshin got up quickly and offered his hand to help her stand. Kenshin smiled at her teasingly, "And I suppose that is a bad thing because…"
"… I don't know!" she retorted, rolling her eyes. She accepted his hand gratefully as she crossed her arms, "It's just that… you always treat me like I am glass. Kenshin, I am not a little girl anymore and I am not fragile."
Kenshin closed the distance between them and whispered in a husky voice, "Who said anything about you being a child? That thought never even crossed my mind… how can it, when all I see is a beautiful woman standing in front of me…"
Kaoru's knees weakened when Kenshin's words finally sank in. She lowered her head as the flush tainting her cheeks heightened to a new level.
Kenshin wrapped his arms around her to support her. Looking directly into her eyes, he continued, "… the reason why I treat you like glass is…"
Kaoru looked at him expectantly as she pressed her forehead against his causing their shallow breaths to mingle.
"…I want to protect the woman I want to share my entire life with…"
Kaoru's eyes widened as she raised her arms, wrapping them around Kenshin. She embraced him tighter, wanting to feel him closer as tears of joy began streaming down her cheeks. She buried her face in Kenshin's red locks and whispered, "Kenshin…"
Kenshin pulled back, wiped the tears from her eyes gently with his calloused hand and asked while gazing at her lovingly, "Will you give this unworthy man the honor of marrying you, Kaoru?"
Kaoru nodded, her eyes glistening. He called me by my name, with no honorifics. He finally broke the barrier! She smiled triumphantly and exclaimed in outmost joy, "Yes Kenshin!! I will marry you!! I want to spend the rest of my life with you!"
Kenshin lowered his head and captured Kaoru's lips for a sweet and lingering kiss. Now that Enishi's grudge had been resolved, we have our new peaceful life ahead of us.
In between the kisses, Kaoru murmured, "Kenshin… say my name again. I want to hear it."
"Kaoru," he said, "I love you." Finally… peace.
Author's Notes:
Whew! I spent almost half a day, researching for the names of my characters. I wanted this fic to be done with every detail meticulously considered. I was supposed to post this with the prologue but I wasn't finished with the research yet. About the Renaissance thing, sorry for the slip, it was my mistake. I already edited the chap and deleted that part. When I wrote the word Renaissance I wasn't thinking of Van Gogh yet, and then when I decided to use Van Gogh, I forgot about the Renaissance part. By the way, for your information, Van Gogh's early works were during the time of the fic. I don't know if he painted dinner plates [which I strongly doubt], but that time I know that he wasn't yet known that is why he was introduced as a no-name artist.
I got the idea of sealing Marcus up in the wine cellar from the "Cask of Amontillado" written by Edgar Allan Poe.
All of the original character's names have either allusions or kanji meanings.
Tobe- alluded to William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily". Tobe played as her ever loyal manservant. Tobe's character in that fic is a very submissive helper whom I believe rarely spoke. Don't worry, the Tobe in my fic will at least acknowledge the presence or the orders of his master or mistress.
Regan- she is alluded to William Shakespeare's "King Lear". I don't know if you've noticed but Regan is a strong name, a man's name even. Even its pronunciation shows lack of finesse and softness.
Marcus- the name is alluded to Marcus Antonius. Antonius is blatantly stereotyped as an unrestrained, cruel and violent madman. This stereotype fits the character that Marcus portrays.
Laios- alluded to King Laios in Sophocles' "Oedipus Rex". King Laios was the king whose son was cursed to kill him and bed his wife. The story won't go in that direction but I want to use Laios as his surname to emphasize something that will be revealed in the future.
Yuku- Yu- to bow; Ku- eternal; I guess if put together it means, forever submissive or obedient.
Miharu- the name of Kaoru's mother. Mi- beautiful; Haru- sunny day. It means beautiful as a sunny day.
Reiko- Regan's Japanese name. It was given to her by Marcus. Rei- sounds of jewels; Ko- child. It means… child as precious as jewels.
Vocabulary
Hacienda- Ranch
Thanks to all who left a review and even those who didn't…
Marstanuki-chan- don't worry… this isn't an angst fic.
Hana-chan- thanks a lot! Hehehe… a new conflict arises
Gypsy-chan- female version of shishio x_x;; hehehe
Susan- I actually had a hard time on that chap… ask midori… anywayz, I'm glad you my hard work paid off
JML- you'll just have to see for yourself ::wicked grin::
Emerentiana- the journals will play a major role on the introduction of the conflict.
Macy- sorry about that, I already changed it
Midori- sorry for that… I'll send the next chaps soon.
Dementedchris- I take that as a compliment esp. from a lit grad. =) thanks!
Bunny- I'm glad you liked it. I was really nervous about it.
Demon-wolf- I hope you'll continue the r&rs!
Special thanks to Midori, my editor on this fic.
Read and Review Minna!