Standard Disclaimers Apply.
Chapter Six
"Nana, this place is just perfect, isn't it?" Regan said as she pranced around the main hall.
"Yes, dear," Yuku replied as she hauled their remaining luggage. "It's incredible to know what money can buy."
Regan nodded as she walked towards the left corner of the room. She traced her reflection on the mirror using her finger, smiling to herself, "The time has come to collect their debts."
Yuku approached her and held her hand, "Regan, are you sure about this?"
Regan was surprised at her query and asked in an almost hurt tone, "Why nana? Aren't you going to support me?"
"Reiko…"
"Don't call me Reiko!!! Marcus used to call me that!!!" she snapped.
"Very well… Regan, I just want to remind you that if you continue with your plans… you are really selling your soul to the devil."
Regan rolled her eyes and chuckled, "I think it's too late to worry about that. Have you forgotten? I lived with one for the past eighteen years of my life. I'm surprised you're telling me these things."
Yuku hugged her from behind and whispered, "You know I'll always support you. I just want to make sure that you're certain about your plans."
"I'm sure, nana. Very sure," She replied. Pulling back, she grinned maniacally "Hmph! Just when I thought, I was already crazy…. You know what, nana? I think the two-month boat trip was not healthy." Shaking her head in disapproval, she continued, "Definitely not healthy. You know why? It pushed my limitations further."
"But it's all for the best, right?"
"You're right," she sighed. "It is better that way. At least I already know the whole truth." She paused for a moment and continued in a grave voice, "No one is going to deceive me anymore." Turning to Yuku, she smiled and said in an enthusiastic voice, "Oh well… I'll just have to make them pay, nana."
"Will this make you happy?" she asked while raising her eyebrows.
"Absolutely," she exclaimed, clapping her hands together.
Yuku pulled Regan close for another hug and said with motherly affection, "I hope you'll finally find your happiness. It has been long overdue."
"I don't think I'll ever be truly happy nana." Pulling back, her smile widened as she continued, "But don't worry, if I can't be happy, then I'll just have to make sure that they will be as miserable as I am." She walked towards their luggage and carried one of the shoulder bags. She turned around, waved her hand at her. "Ja!"
"Where are you going?"
"Nana… Where else?" She rolled her eyes and continued in a mockingly slow manner, "I am going to look for them. How can I fulfill my plans if I don't even know where they are."
Yuku nodded and replied, "You're right. I had other things on my mind. Sorry for that."
Regan beamed at her for the last time and bolted out of the house.
Yuku stared at her retreating figure, smiling inwardly, Hmmm… I raised her up well. For a moment there, I thought she was going to hesitate. I am glad to know that she already has her mind set.
~~~~~
Yahiko was sweeping the front steps of the Akabeko when he saw a very beautiful lady walking towards him. His eyes almost fell from their sockets as he observed the lady from head to foot.. The lady was wearing a bonnet over her long, ebony hair. She had a sun-tanned complexion and red lips, which were accented by the long red Western dress she was wearing. Yahiko's eyes rested on the interesting eyepiece she was wearing, which concealed her the color and expression of her eyes, thickening her air of mystery. When the lady stopped in front of him, he swallowed a huge lump that suddenly formed in his throat
The lady gave him a sweet smile and asked, "Can you help me, boy?"
Yahiko didn't even notice that the lady called him his most despised word as he staggered to utter a decent syllable, "…Y.. Yes…"
"Can you tell me which way leads to the Kamiya residence?"
Yahiko's eyes lit up at the thought that this beautiful lady in front of him might know Kaoru and in turn, formally introduce them. He smiled at her and replied, "Go straight ahead. When you passed by the bridge, turn right to the third corner. You'll find the Kamiya dojo there."
Interesting… Kamiya dojo… "Will I find Master Koshijiro there?"
"No, he departed a couple of years after his wife…"
Regan's eyes widened at the news. This is not supposed to happen… After all my carefully planning, they just died on me! How dare they! If she hadn't worn the sunglasses, Yahiko would easily notice the darkening of her eyes.
"… it is presently handled by his daughter, Kaoru."
Regan smiled, Oh well, at least my sister is still here. She will just have to endure the full force of my plans. Her smiled widened as she ruffled Yahiko's hair and kissed him on the cheek, "Thanks, boy."
Yahiko held his cheek in a trance as he watched the beautiful lady walk away. He sighed dreamily but when he turned around with a silly grin plastered on his face, he paled, "Tsu.. Tsubame… I can explain."
~~~~~
"Kamiya Kasshin Ryu Dojo," she said aloud as she read the wooden block that hanged beside the dojo gates. "This is the right place." She beamed widely when suddenly, she heard shuffling sounds. She bolted to one corner to peer at the cause of the noise. Hmm… looks like sister-dear has plans for this afternoon.
~~~~~
That afternoon, Kaoru cancelled her training session with Yahiko to visit Megumi. Sano said that Megumi was feeling lonely and that she needed some company so Kaoru made time to accompany her friend.
Megumi welcomed Kaoru in their house, giving her a reprimanding look. "Kaoru, when are you and Kenshin planning to set the date for your wedding?"
Kaoru was caught off-guard with the question, causing her to look down on her feet, suddenly finding it interesting, "Ano… Megumi…"
Megumi didn't give her the chance to continue as she babbled, "Have you planned out the invitations? Who are you going to invite anyway? How about the reception? What are you planning to wear?? Silly girl, you should know all these by now…"
Kaoru was beginning to get irritated at the interrogation so she blurted out, "I broke off the engagement…"
"What?" Megumi's jaw dropped, disbelief and shock written all over her face."
Kaoru suddenly felt her bile rising as she said more softer and calmer voice, "You heard me… I broke off the engagement…"
Megumi frowned at her for a second and then exploded, "Are you out of your mind!!!? You've waited so long for this and you are just going to throw all of these away? Surely, you must be crazy…" She shook her head in disapproval and observed Kaoru's expression. She leaned over her friend and whispered to her ear, "Kaoru, did you find another younger more energetic lover?"
"Megumi!!!" Kaoru exclaimed as her face turned beet red.
"What!?" she asked, giving Kaoru a did-I-say-something-wrong look. She rolled her eyes and continued, "Well, you can't blame me for thinking these things… you… you won't even explain to me what happened!"
"How can I explain myself when you won't even let me talk!!" Kaoru snapped.
Megumi curved her mouth into an "O" as she looked down at her toes in embarrassment, "Ugh… sorry. So… what happened?"
Kaoru sat on the porch steps and began, "Nothing happened, Megumi…"
"What do you mean nothing happened?"
Kaoru gave her the "look" and continued, "I just decided that I needed to get to know my past before I move on to the future."
Megumi looked at her quizzically, not uttering a word.
"It's a long story. You wouldn't want me to bore you with the details. It just have something to do with my mother's past."
"Oh…" Megumi nodded in understanding. "How did Ken-san take it?
"He was really supportive of my decision."
"Don't tell me you're planning to make Ken-san wait a lifetime like what he did to you. I must inform you… Ken-san is not getting any younger," she said matter-of-factly.
Kaoru blushed a deep shade of red, as she protested, "Of course not As soon as I find the answers I am searching, I will marry him right away!"
Megumi smiled weakly at her as she rested her hand on hers, "I hate to break this to you but… what if you never find the answers? What are you planning to do? After all, there are secrets you can't dig up for they are taken to the grave…"
~~~~~
Regan nodded in approval as she whispered to herself, "Oh lady, if only you knew the depth of your words." Shrugging her shoulders, she smiled as she took out a bow and three arrows from her bag, "Oh well… I'm sorry but I think you'll just have to find out in the afterlife." Regan positioned two arrows in the bow, pulled them with the string and aimed them directly at Megumi's stomach and heart. She smiled inwardly, Dear sister, nothing hurts more than to lose the people you love…
~~~~~
"Aaaaaaaarrrrrrrrggggghhhh!!!!!!!!!!!"
"MEGUUUMMMIIII!!!!"
Author's Notes:
Megumi plays a very important role in this fic by serving as a foil. She brings out or enhances emotions Kaoru already has.
Yup, sunglasses are already worn during the Meiji! Well, of course Japanese don't wear them but Europeans do. According to my research, wearing sunglasses isn't really proper for a lady to wear but Regan isn't an ordinary girl, is she?
Thank you for all those who read my fic and special thanks to those who left a review.
Sorry if I can't write individual responses this time! I am so busy and I don't want to delay the update! ^_^
Fuuzaki, Hohotori, Hana-chan, Onna, Battousai Angel, JML, Jess, Chris, Marstanuki, Macy, Susan, Dora-chan, Midori.
Special thanks to Midori-chan for pre-reading!
When I made the announcement about the site, Geocities was off. I think it is okay now so please visit my site and tell me what you think! ^_^ www.geocities.com/chibi_angelica/kkindulgence.
More reviews = Happy Chibi-angel = Faster Chapters!
Go on push that button and make Chibi-angel happy!