Disclaimer: No, I don't own RK, the names and characters are merely borrowed for the purpose of fanfiction!
**Note: This story is set in a fantasy alternative universe of medieval times. It's by no means an accurate representation of actual medieval times, but it has some borrowed concepts.**
KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR
Chapter One
Exactly at midnight, the raid began, and the warriors rushed forward looting and burning the houses of the farmers, stealing their cattle and and taking as much as they could carry back with them. The army was far too strong for the poor village that never expected this attack, and were caught off guard, with no one of their Lord's army to protect them.
The villagers were running everywhere trying to protect what was theirs. The women were gathering their children together, saving their families from the grief of loss. Houses where burning; the black sky was lit with orange glow, and gray smoke. Ashes fell from the heavens like rain, and the sword clashes could be heard everywhere.
As the raid took place, Kenshin led his men encouraging to take anything that they could, but that he had eyes for a certain woman which he described only enough to alert his soldiers.
He found her huddling close to that other woman he'd seen her with and an old man, behind another man with a large and spectacularly built broadsword. He moved towards them, eyeing the man threateningly urging him to attempt to strike him.
Sanosuke, scared for his wife and sister in-law, bravely defended them and what remained of their possessions, as men came towards them from all directions, lounging at him, attempting to overwhelm him. When most of them laid at his feet, he look up and noticed one man, eyeing him so coldly, that some of it froze his blood and his resolve. But no, he could not, Megumi! He had to protect her!
The two men lounged at each other, fighting with such dexterity very few have the opportunity to experience. Kenshin was caught off guard by this farmer, not even a warrior, but who held such a powerful sword and knew how to strike with it too. It is not often, that he has to resort to the use of a very special technique, one whose only purpose is that of killing any opponent so swiftly, it was considered legendary. He countered every blow, taking notice of Sanosuke's technique, until he found his opening, and in one swift movement, went for the heart.
In just the nick of time, Sanosuke was able to deflect his blow, but not before it pierced his skin, the side of his body, in such a way, that the pain was enough to bring him to his knees. Impressed by this show of dexterity but nonetheless pleased by its result, Kenshin completed his assault by striking again this time sending him into oblivion.
Megumi screamed! She was out of her mind. She rushed to kneel over her husband, tears streaming down her face. Leaving Kaoru behind with an old man who could no longer protect her.
Kenshin wasted no time in overwhelming the old man and brusquely taking Kaoru away from him, and knocking her unconscious.
By the time reinforcements arrived, the village had been destroyed, devoid of any value, and with a large percentage of the working men injured or dead. They too were swiftly dealt with, and only one survived to tell the tale back and inform them that Lord Seijuro had seized that land for his king.
Kenshin, dragged Kaoru's body to his horse, found rope to tie her hands and feet, and placed her on his mount. He smelled a delicious scent emanating from her within all the smell of fire and ash—Jasmine perhaps? He mounted behind her on his horse, holding her limp body, guiding them back to their camp.
Fear striken Megumi, would never forget the cold look of those amber eyes that had frozen her rendering her incapable of helping her sister Kaoru, and allowing her to be taken by that man. Scared for her husband, she felt for his pulse and any indication that he may still be alive. However, shortly after discovering that her husband still lived, a man came up to her, forcibly drew her to face him and told her to gather with the rest of the villagers. Torn by the desire to help her husband and that of protecting herself, she assented and joined the other villagers, hoping that she would be able to save her husband. She searched the faces of everyone around her, looking for her sister, but alas, she was not among them.
The few farmers thats survived, swore fealty to their new king and to Lord Seijuro. They only wanted peace afterall, and did not care for these wars. Anything, that would allow them to return to their peaceful existence, thats all they wished for.
The warriors had gathered them all together, already imposing their authority over the land. Lord Seijuro, being an honorable man, ordered his men not to force any woman from the village to their beds, a command that would never go unfollowed for nobody wanted to incite their master's anger.
In the center of the village lied a large house, much larger than any other around it. It was said to be the townhall, or where the villagers gathered to discuss matters pertaining to their state of land, disputes or any other occurrence. Lord Seijuro took possession of it as his home for the time being, and ordered his squire to make it amenable for both him and his second in command.
Kaoru woke up to find out that she had been tied to a thick wooden pole inside a room, that she was very unfamiliar with. She heard rustling of water and looked over her shoulder and found a man standing above a small table washing his face over a water basin.
The events of the day came back to her. She remembered now, everything that had transpired but still could not figure out who he was, or why she was in what was now clearly, his bedroom.
She just stared, as if she'd never seen a man before, but when he started to take off his armor, her breath caught. He was a lean but very muscular man with a defined chest, a ripped stomach, broad shoulders, and gloriously fiery red hair. For a moment, she forgot she was tied up, and just stared at him, amazed. Innocent as she was, she had never been locked up in a room with a man as commanding as this one appeared to be.
Suddenly, he turned around and looked down at her, and she quickly closed her eyes, trying to pretend that she was still asleep. Her attempt was futile however, for he had noticed the change in her breathing, and the almost imperceptible movement of her eyelids.
He said nothing for a while, but continued to stare at her, waiting her out.
She slowly opened her eyes, and realized that he was evidently not deceived by her attempts.
He smiled at her, and his expression softened a bit, despite it she felt angry. He had clearly taken her as his prisoner, tied her up in such an ungentlemanly manner. She remembered how he defeated Sanosuke in battle.
"Sanosuke!" she thought. She worried that he had killed her brother in law. Anger. She stared at him, her hatred evident in her eyes.
"Why am I here?"
He took his time to respond. Moved around the room, and she eyed him carefully, both amazed at his sculpted body and afraid that he would hurt her. He grabbed a stool that was further inside the room, moved it closer to her, and sat down. "Why don't you tell me who you are?" he invited, clearly ignoring her question and concerns.
She said nothing.
"You're very beautiful, you know." He said. His voice soft, with something like wonderment. It did nothing to appease her. She knew that men could take her virtue, and she was not at all pleased by him noticing her beauty.
"It's remarkable how much you look like your mother…"
"My mother?! How could he know my mother?" Though these where her thoughts and not voiced out loud, he concluded from the widening of her eyes, that he had surprised her, and piqued her interest in him. He remained quite, and stood up, took off his breeches and replaced them with a softer more loosely fitted shirt and pants.
He picked up his sword, some cloth and a whetstone, and sat back down on the stool facing her but without looking at her again. He started to wipe off the blood and grime from his sword in a meticulous manner, and then proceeded to sharpen it with just as much care.
Kaoru was not known for being weak-minded. She was always curious about everything, trying to learn as much as she could. It was therefore, against her nature to remain quiet, ignoring the man who apparently knew her mother. She ventured to ask "How did you know my mother?"
This time he did look at her and just said "She was the wife of a very powerful man. A man that I am very well acquainted with. It's the truth, I never thought you would be found again, but here you are."
Kaoru knew very little about the reasons of her mother's escape. Her father had not wanted to hurt her sensibilities telling her the truth that her mother had conveyed to him before she died. What she did know, was that the man she called father, was not actually her real father, but just a man who took in her mother and her for protection. All she knew was that her real father had badly injured her mother, prompting her to escape to save her daughter's life.
Realizing that this was probably a bad thing to have happened for her, she mumbled to herself "I don't want to be found…"
"So you would refuse to meet your father, even after all these years?" He asked. "He's never given up trying to find you."
That last part somewhat surprised her, but she supposed it was to be expected, afterall. "Are you planning to take me back to him?"
"Certainly. Kaoru, you still carry that name, is it not?"
Even more surprised she was now, learning that he knew her name "How did you know my name?"
He calmly continued sharpening his sword, but said "Your father named you Kaoru." He looked at her again, gazing at her intently almost as if he was embedding all her facial features into his memory. It prompted him to think of her mother, and he wondered "Tell me… what happened to your mother."
Tired of his menacing manner and frustrated she impatiently exclaimed "I'll tell you nothing, for she is of no interest to you."
"That's where your wrong, you see. I have a lot of interest in you, and therefore, your mother. I'm going to presume she died long ago, for it was known that she was deathly ill."
She neither confirmed nor denied his suspicions but kept her answer to herself.
"I took care of you, before your mother ran away. I was only just starting to squire for Lord Seijuro then, and we frequented your father's castle. Much of those days were spent in long debates of which I have little recollection. But, you used to be in the room with the lords and other knights, and I used to watch over you, for I was the youngest at the time. I always found it curious that your mother was never seen in the castle, and now I start to think that some of those reasons may be what led her to procure her escape, stealing you away from your father."
"You don't know? You of all people must know that my mother endured a lot of suffering at the hands of my father! How can you claim to be so very well acquainted?"
"And how do you know about her suffering."
This time, Kaoru quieted down. She can't give much away or her father, the old blacksmith, and her sister could be in grave danger. Instead, after a few moments passed she asked "Will you untie me, please?"
The discomfort of her sitted position, with her arms tied tightly behind her back was beginning to bother her. She felt an urge to stretch her arms, and also her legs, that were still bound together.
"No."
"Please, untie me" she begged, one more time. "My shoulders hurt of having my arms back in this unnatural position and the rope with which you tied my hands is bruising me. I swear if you cut off my hands, I wouldn't feel it! You've tied them too hard."
Her voice, so soft and nervous made him take some pity, but there was no way he could untie her, and risk having her escape. "You'll get used to it, eventually."
They were interrupted, by Lord Seijuro who came to see if Kenshin had been successful in recovering Kaoru, and was happy to find her tied up in his room.
"Well done Kenshin, now please leave us alone, then you can come and guard her for the night, so grab your dinner and bring hers with you when you come back."
"Yes, my lord." He said, and left the room.
"So, you must be Kaoru." Said Hiko, regarding her intently, amazed at her beauty, for no matter how old he was, he was not blind to one such as her. "A young girl told me not to harm you, of course I had to reassure her that no harm will come upon you. She was named—" he paused thoughtfully, "I believe it started with an M."
"Megumi."
"Ah! yes, Megumi. She's very beautiful you know, and being pregnant does make her look beautiful still. But, I suppose, I should introduce myself: I'm known as Lord Hiko Seijuro, and as of today, your village now belongs to me, and my king." Hiko smiled, obviously proud of his accomplishments. "I'm not aware of how much Kenshin has informed you, but you must know that I mean to take you back to your father at his castle, earn his regard, and reward my most favored knight with you as his wife."
She gasped. All kinds of thoughts rushing through in her mind "Wife? I am to marry that man?!" she thought worriedly. Trying to dissuade this turn of events she said "But, I don't even know him, how can I be his wife?!"
To this Lord Seijuro only shrugged. "Do not worry child, if anything, you should be grateful. Few men are as fierce and talented as my pupil, and above all, he is to become a lord himself once his father passes and acquire land and fortune. You should be pleased with your prospects."
She didn't look nearly as pleased as he would like her to be, despite her circumstances. But this meant little to him. He had other matters of more interest to him to question her about.
"The main reason of my wanting to speak to you is to learn about your mother, Yume. Where is she, I didn't see her among the villagers."
"She passed away, a long time ago now." she replied with some lingering sadness in her voice.
"That girl, Megumi… is she your sister?"
"No," She said "but I think of her as one."
"How did you came to that family?" he pressed on.
Kaoru debated how much information she should tell. Something about him made her feel somewhat safe, unlike the other man whom he was claiming she'll end up marrying. Despite all this, she proceeded to say "My mom ran away from my father with me, to save me from him. She ended up here where Megumi and her father helped us and concealed us. They said my mom was in a deplorable state, with a large wound on her back and lots of blood stains on her dress carrying a baby in her arms."
"I see, and when your mother died, did this man raise you?"
"Yes."
"How old where you when she died?"
"I was three, almost for years old, the night of her death."
He regarded her curiously and said, "It's apparent to me that you hold your real father in much disregard." He said. "You must be aware then, of the circumstances surrounding your parent's marriage." He glanced at her again, hoping she would say something, but she remained silent.
"Your mother was betrothed to your father from the moment she was born. And while I suspected your father of having unconventional forms of leisure, he did confess to me, after your mother's disappearance, that you had been forcibly conceived, something that he deeply regretted, but that he felt was necessary for your mother refused your father and he desperately wanted an heir."
"That may have been what he told you, my lord, but unfortunately, while I don't know all of the details, I am aware of much worse."
At this, he was mildly curious and while he would've liked to keep talking to her, they were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Yes?"
"My lord," said Kenshin from behind the door, "I have her food."
He looked back at her, and stood up from the stool where he had been sitting while he spoke to her. He said, "We'll continue this conversation at a later time. For now, I must rest and so shall you." He opened the door, and left the room, leaving Kenshin to walk inside and place a tray of food next to her feet.
Kaoru watched him quizzically for he left to close the door, and she thought he must've forgotten she couldn't eat with her hand tied behind her back. But he came back to her, holding a small knife and released her from her tight bounds.
The relief that she felt was instant. Her muscles were finally able to relax. She started to cry. The emotional day had taken its toll on her, and she could not hold her tears any longer.
Kenshin stood, blocking the door in case of any attempt of hers to escape. He could hear her whimpering softly in her hands, but decided to let her vent alone. He sat down on the floor with his back against the door cradling his sword and closed his eyes. He was feeling very tired.
After a while, he heard her move, and that knew she had finally picked up the tray and started to eat. He felt her eyes upon him, and he opened his to stare back at her.
His amber eyes, were so disarming to her. She felt as if the room just shrunk in the instant that he opened his eyes and looked at her. Her hands stilled, as nervousness settled in and she couldn't keep eating, until he closed his eyes again.
She resumed her eating but her thoughts were being plagued by this man sitting in front of her. Lord Seijuro had said there was no fiercer or talented knight more than him, and she was to marry him. She felt a little overwhelmed by this idea, this man, so handsome, so striking, her husband? Incredulous.
Part of her was curious at this, another part a little proud of his reputation. So that night, before she huddled herself to sleep, she prayed, that he was kind, that he was gentle and capable of love.
NEW AN: I changed A LOT of this chapter! I hope, my writing has improved a bit, as I am somewhat ashamed of what was here before! I realize its going to be hard for me to keep track of all my changes, but I'll try my best! Certainly relay anything that you find is amiss! (4/8/2015)
OLD AN: I'm not much too proud of this chapter, I only liked how it ended, and I definitely don't know how to write a story if it's not rated R or NC- 17...I'm pretty sure this would end up being R, but I'll TRY not to change the rating...I'll TRY! Please click that little button, you don't know how much it helps!