Standard Disclaimers Apply. The rights to Rurouni Kenshin are exclusively owned by Watsuki Nobuhiro, Sony Entertainment, Shueisha, Jump Comics and other associated groups. Do not sue!!! I am writing this to satiate my urge to write.
Deadly Family TiesChapter Thirteen
Kenshin's eyes widened as Regan started undoing the ties that held his hakama. He grabbed her hand, looked into her eyes and shook his head in negation. "Kaoru, we mustn't. Not until we're married."
Regan looked as if she was going to burst into tears all over again. Her lips quivered as she spat out, "I thought you loved me!!!"
Kenshin cupped her cheeks to pacify her and said softly, "I do love you, Kaoru. That is why we mustn't."
"But I want you Kenshin. I want you now!!" she whined.
"I want you, too, Kaoru…"
Regan looked at him with hopeful eyes.
"…but we must wait."
At that, Regan cast down her eyes. "What if there won't be any tomorrow? Kenshin, let's seize the day!" she said with much conviction as she clenched her hands into fists.
"I'm sorry, Kaoru. I don't want to taint your innocence."
"I understand…" Looking back at him, she exclaimed, "Then, let's get married immediately!"
Kenshin's eyes widened at her proclamation and asked, "What? I thought you wanted to sort out the memories of your family first?"
"Huh?" Regan saw Kenshin's puzzlement so she searched her brain for the best thing to say. "I mean, of course I do but I can do that when we are married." Turning the tables on him, she asked, "Don't you want to marry me Kenshin?"
"Of course I want to!! That is what I have wanted all along!" he exclaimed passionately.
"Then, it's settled"
"Are you sure about your decision, Kaoru?"
"Of course I am sure! Why do you ask?" she asked feigning hurt.
"I just don't want you to have any regrets," he said as he rubbed her hand with his.
"Of course I won't have any regrets. I am going to marry the man I had always dreamed of having." Oh Kenshin! You would never even come close to knowing how true my words are.
Kenshin looked deeply into her eyes and pressed his mouth on hers. "I love you Kaoru."
"Ah.. Ano, I love you too Kenshin." Regan replied. While she responded to his kiss, she opened her eyes to look at his closed ones, she thought, Do I really love you Kenshin? I don't think so… All I know is I love the idea of you loving me this way even though you think I am Kaoru.
Kenshin broke off the kiss and announced happily, "Tomorrow, we'll settle everything."
~~~~~
As expected, at exactly 7:00 pm, Yuku knocked slightly on Kaoru's door and called out, "Kaoru, dinner's ready."
Kaoru took a deep breath and said to herself, Collect yourself, Kaoru. You can do this. Stay calm at all cost. She then walked towards the side of the door as Gohei opened it for Yuku. Kaoru glared defiantly at Gohei as she turned to Yuku, "When can I speak with Regan?"
"I don't know," she answered flatly. After placing the new tray on her bed, she picked up the one she brought for lunch and motioned to leave.
Kaoru swiftly grabbed Yuku's arm and smiled. "Yuku, since Regan is not here, will you tell me things about her?"
Yuku raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why are you suddenly being so polite to me?"
"… because you are not the one I should be mad at. You are just a mere servant to her," she provoked.
Yuku jerked her arm off Kaoru's grasp and slapped her. She said through gritted teeth, "I am not just some helper. I had been taking care of Regan since she was a child. I treat her as if she was my child and she treats me as if I was her mother."
"Oh, really. Then why doesn't she also plan for your happiness? Why is she the only one enjoying her life while you are stuck here taking care of her loose ends?" Kaoru pressed.
"Whatever makes her happy makes me happy."
"Well said! You're a perfect nominee for mother of the year award… oops! I forgot… she isn't really your daughter."
Yuku slapped her once more and spat, "I was there for Regan every single time she needed me. I was the one who tended her physical wounds when Marcus beat her up or raped her. I was also the one who comforted her emotional wounds when she— I taught her to smile through everything!!!"
"And a nice work you did in tending her wounds. I see her brain really doesn't need any fixing. You know what, about the mother thing… yup, keep telling yourself that. Someday you might be able to convince yourself."
Yuku was supposed to slap her again but she decided to leave instead. Before finally leaving, she said, "Enjoy your dinner, child. I might forget to feed you in the next couple of days." With that, she closed the door with a bang.
Kaoru smiled as she held the door in its place, Don't worry, nana. I won't be eating my next meal in this place. Kaoru trailed her hand on the doorknob and pulled it slightly, Great! My plan worked.
When she went to the side of the door to glare at Gohei, she discreetly stuck paper on the nook so that the door wouldn't lock up. She smiled at the ingenious work she had done. Simple, yet effective! Now… all I have to do is to wait.
~~~~~
"Kenshin, are you excited about our wedding?" Regan asked as she snuggled closer to her fiancée.
"Of course dear. In less than a week, our invitation would have reached Kyoto and Aizu," Kenshin replied, looking pleased.
Regan put on a pout she had rehearsed the whole day and said, "Mou! Why can't we just get married today or tomorrow?"
"I know how you feel dear. Don't you want to share our special day with our friends?" Kenshin smiled and pressed her nose lightly causing her to giggle.
"Of course I want them to come!" she said in defense. I have to visit sister dear tomorrow to ask her their names. Hmmm… oh well, since I had mastered the art of acting, this will be a piece of cake!
Kenshin leaned his head on hers. "Two weeks isn't such a long wait, dear. Besides, we'll be so busy with the preparations that we won't notice time fly."
"You're right," she sighed.
"Kaoru, I'm glad that in just a few days, I can officially call you my wife. I love you, Kaoru."
That's right. Call me Kaoru… I am Kaoru… the new Kaoru, that is.
~~~~~
They're probably asleep by now. Nodding to herself, she bent down and ripped the sides of her kimono. I can't run well with this narrow cut. Looking up, she prayed silently, "Kami-sama… Father… Mother… please help me get through this…"
Kaoru walked towards the door, pulling it slowly and gently to avoid making any squeaking sounds. She peered at the hallway from side to side to check. When she saw that nobody was around, she took a deep breath. She trailed her eyes to the path she was taking… through the hall, down the stairs and the main door. Kaoru, you can do this!
Feeling adrenaline pumping through her veins, she darted to the door. Ignoring the squeaking sounds the wooden floors made, she immediately unlocked the opening that would lead her to her freedom. She bolted out of the gate, paying no attention to the cold evening breeze biting her skin. Her heart was beating rapidly, her palms were sweaty but her spirits and determination were high. I will not fail…
She ran out of her prison, pushing her legs to their limits. In those few moments that stretched out like eternity, she smiled, "Freedom, at last— "
Author's Notes:
I am so sorry for not updating in a LONG time!!! Real life can really harass a person, ne? Anywayz, more revelations to come! Tell me what you think, okay? Also, I would be able to update regularly again in a couple of weeks. Much thanks to all those who emailed me to update this, Liv, Claria and to all of my reviewers and visitors of my webby. I appreciate them all! Sorry for not leaving individual notes as of now… but know that I really appreciate everything.
Important Announcement:
Sad to say, I had been a victim of plagiarism. One author, Alannah claimed to have written my fic "A Beautiful Spring Day". I had written this fic last June 13, 2002 and I had posted it on my site Indulgence. It was so shocking to see that not only did she not even change the author's notes I had written, she had also destroyed its essence when she altered its form. To top it all off, she claimed that it was her 2nd fic.
Thanks to gypsy-chan, I was informed of this. Also, thanks to chibi-rinoa and marstanuki who defended my name. I guess, you guys know me well enough to know that I do not plagiarize and I do not tolerate others who do. Authors out there, I suggest you check out the fics listed under her name because it might be yours. We can never be too sure.
This thing is so disheartening because it's like seeing all your hard work stolen. Minna, thanks for all your support and I hope that this thing wouldn't continue.
Dementedchris, you're right… P.I.!
Leave me a review. ^__^