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Once Upon a time: Chapter 3
by white seraph
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Kaoru woke up early, and changed into a simple white gi and navy blue pants (. She looked into the mirror, only to meet the gaze of a young woman, with long black hair and short, puffy bangs. She quickly tied it up into a traditional pony tail. She looked into the mirror again, this time, satisfied with the reflection, for there it was now a young peasant that stared back.
She met Megumi and Sanosuke at the main gate, the doctor handed her a bundle of clothes. "Miss Kaoru, everything needed is in there with enough money to bring you there and back" Then turning to Sanosuke, "Sano, you have to take care of Miss Kaoru, the carriage will take both of you only to the capital, just incase anyone recognizes you, it's best if you two journey to the palace like peasants."
"Megumi, I don't understand there really isn't a need to use a carriage" Kaoru frowned, no she didn't like to use that carriage, not even when it was urgent. But then, she never really left her little town she was brought up in, did she?
"Miss Kaoru! If we don't take the carriage it'll take over two weeks to get to the capital! Do you think Miss Misao can wait that long!" Sanosuke argued. He knew Misao well, she was very impatient, and determind. If they didn't return with a quick answer, he knew, Misao would go off with her lover or whatever that man was to her, for all he cared.
He was right, even if Misao can wait that long, Aoshi can't, the Shinsengumi was not a group that would dwell at one town for a long time, especially now that they have several groups forming at other parts of the country. Kaoru sighed, and without looking back, got herself onto the carriage. Sanosuke soon followed. They left before dawn.
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"Enishi, What information have you collected about the rebellious group?" The King asked. All of the nobles in the room turned to the white headed young lord. Though at the young age of 25, he was smart and able, not to mention cunning and evil. HE was very corrupted, much worse than the king infact, just that he got other people to do the dirty work, so his hands would still be "clean". Of course, the King himself was not stupid, he knew of this young man's underground trades, and his ambitions. However, he was a calculating person, and knew very well how to keep everything in control. Enishi was a very able young man, despite his character, and ambitions. He had his value, and he was not going to get rid of Enishi until he proves himself useless.
"Your highness, according to my research, the group is quickly expanding, recruiting members in the northern outskirts of the country, the group mainly consists of farmers and peasants who were discontent upon heavy taxation and little public provision, they also-"
"Enough!" the king fumed, feeling anger building up inside him "I only told you to report to me information ABOUT the group, not reasons why they do it!" He new how the young man could attack him slyly but insinuating things that no others dared accuse him of.
Enishi gritted his teeth, "darn you Battousai, you never told me not to say why they did it" the enraged lord thought. Though he knew that was not the real reason why the King was angry. However, despite his hatred and anger for him, Enishi just smiled and apologized "Yes your highness, I'm very sorry"
This was life in court, Enishi was used to it, the king was that unreasonable, anything to his dislike, he blames others. He thought to himself.
But he knows his power is limited and is not adequate to even hurt the king, he was just too powerful, just too far from his reach… But only… if only his traders from the Neighboring country, Shang hai was willing to provide him aid, he was sure, with the uprising of the Shinsengumi, he could overthrow this tyrant.
"Kamiya" the king's voice broke Enishi's into thoughts. "you are from the northern outskirts of the country, it best suits if you go back and find out what's going on there, I'll send a few messengers with you, so you don't have to personally come back to report to me."
"Yes, I understand, you're highness" The man nodded, accepting the mission. It was also a chance for him to return to his home, see his daughters….
"Court dismissed" the king announced, and left the conference room, leaving the nobles, sitting, talking to themselves, commenting about the meeting before they, too slowly dispersed off to other parts of the Castle.
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"Miss Kaoru! Why did you change back into a kimono! Sanosuke exclaimed as the young woman slid open the door, revealing her newly donned red Kimono that hung brilliantly on her.
"What? We're not even anywhere in the palace yet, do you know how uncomfortable those clothes were? Plus I don't want the innkeeper to be suspicious; you know servants aren't meant to stay in first class rooms" Kaoru walked past her friend, "lets go find a good restaurant I'm so hungry! Lets go eat at the town's best restaurant!" dragging the poor man down the stairs
"Excuse me; do you know where the town's best restaurant is?" Kaoru asked the old woman who looked after the inn's keys.
"Ahh, the town's best restaurant? I'm proud to tell you this isn't just the best inn, but also the best restaurant in town!" the old woman smiled, pointing to her left, where there was a short corridor that lead them to a large room with beautifully furnished wooden tables and chairs. The place seemed crowded with people.
Kaoru's eyes followed her finger, and there, was the town's best restaurant, and it was only then that she realized, all those coming in and going out of the building were richly dressed. "Thank you" Kaoru smiled and took Sano's hand, dragging him to restaurant.
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Sano rented a wagon and bought some hay downtown, whilst Kaoru changed back into peasant's clothes, she sighed upon having to peel off her beautiful kimono and replace it with the rough, plain gi.
"Miss Kaoru, you don't even look like a peasant, even with a new hairdo and some clothing" Sano pointed at her.
"Well that's because you know me!" She retorted. By god, she was already pretty nervous upon going into the Castle, and Sano's doubts did not help at all.
"No, okay fine you go ask a random person…ask the innkeeper if you look like a servant"
Kaoru turned back into the inn "do I look like I work here?"
The old woman chuckled "No no no, you look like a young lady, in fact a rich young lady who leads an easy life… with that soft white skin and shiny hair of yours, you don't do any chores at home do you?"
"Huh? Well I can't help if my skin's not dark" Kaoru frowned "But thanks anyway" running back to the inn's backyard, she told her friend the old woman's response.
"Well, I think I've got an idea" Sano looked at the damn ground, he bent down and grabbed a hand full of dirt "Come Miss Kaoru"
Kaoru followed Sano's orders and bent down, Sano quickly smeared some dirt onto her face. "EWWWWWWWWWW!!!" Kaoru screamed "How can you do this to me! EWWWEWEWEWEWEW!"
Sano smiled, seemingly satisfied with the result, he smeared more onto Kaoru's arms before she can back off. "Now you really look like a dirty servant"
Kaoru blinked and looked at the now dry dirt on her arms…"wow I even feel like a servant now". And indeed, she looked like a mundane dirty girl, with muddy, messy hair and dirty brown skin.
"Miss Kaoru there's no time for you to admire your new identity, get into the wagon" Sano helped her up and lifted her into the wooden vehicle.
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"Hello sir, I bring supplies to the palace" Sano told the guards as evenly as he can
"Open the wagon" the guard ordered "we need to check"
Sanosuke opened the cover, and gestured for the guards to check.
"Pass"
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Once Upon a time: Chapter 3
by white seraph
**************************************************
Kaoru woke up early, and changed into a simple white gi and navy blue pants (. She looked into the mirror, only to meet the gaze of a young woman, with long black hair and short, puffy bangs. She quickly tied it up into a traditional pony tail. She looked into the mirror again, this time, satisfied with the reflection, for there it was now a young peasant that stared back.
She met Megumi and Sanosuke at the main gate, the doctor handed her a bundle of clothes. "Miss Kaoru, everything needed is in there with enough money to bring you there and back" Then turning to Sanosuke, "Sano, you have to take care of Miss Kaoru, the carriage will take both of you only to the capital, just incase anyone recognizes you, it's best if you two journey to the palace like peasants."
"Megumi, I don't understand there really isn't a need to use a carriage" Kaoru frowned, no she didn't like to use that carriage, not even when it was urgent. But then, she never really left her little town she was brought up in, did she?
"Miss Kaoru! If we don't take the carriage it'll take over two weeks to get to the capital! Do you think Miss Misao can wait that long!" Sanosuke argued. He knew Misao well, she was very impatient, and determind. If they didn't return with a quick answer, he knew, Misao would go off with her lover or whatever that man was to her, for all he cared.
He was right, even if Misao can wait that long, Aoshi can't, the Shinsengumi was not a group that would dwell at one town for a long time, especially now that they have several groups forming at other parts of the country. Kaoru sighed, and without looking back, got herself onto the carriage. Sanosuke soon followed. They left before dawn.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Enishi, What information have you collected about the rebellious group?" The King asked. All of the nobles in the room turned to the white headed young lord. Though at the young age of 25, he was smart and able, not to mention cunning and evil. HE was very corrupted, much worse than the king infact, just that he got other people to do the dirty work, so his hands would still be "clean". Of course, the King himself was not stupid, he knew of this young man's underground trades, and his ambitions. However, he was a calculating person, and knew very well how to keep everything in control. Enishi was a very able young man, despite his character, and ambitions. He had his value, and he was not going to get rid of Enishi until he proves himself useless.
"Your highness, according to my research, the group is quickly expanding, recruiting members in the northern outskirts of the country, the group mainly consists of farmers and peasants who were discontent upon heavy taxation and little public provision, they also-"
"Enough!" the king fumed, feeling anger building up inside him "I only told you to report to me information ABOUT the group, not reasons why they do it!" He new how the young man could attack him slyly but insinuating things that no others dared accuse him of.
Enishi gritted his teeth, "darn you Battousai, you never told me not to say why they did it" the enraged lord thought. Though he knew that was not the real reason why the King was angry. However, despite his hatred and anger for him, Enishi just smiled and apologized "Yes your highness, I'm very sorry"
This was life in court, Enishi was used to it, the king was that unreasonable, anything to his dislike, he blames others. He thought to himself.
But he knows his power is limited and is not adequate to even hurt the king, he was just too powerful, just too far from his reach… But only… if only his traders from the Neighboring country, Shang hai was willing to provide him aid, he was sure, with the uprising of the Shinsengumi, he could overthrow this tyrant.
"Kamiya" the king's voice broke Enishi's into thoughts. "you are from the northern outskirts of the country, it best suits if you go back and find out what's going on there, I'll send a few messengers with you, so you don't have to personally come back to report to me."
"Yes, I understand, you're highness" The man nodded, accepting the mission. It was also a chance for him to return to his home, see his daughters….
"Court dismissed" the king announced, and left the conference room, leaving the nobles, sitting, talking to themselves, commenting about the meeting before they, too slowly dispersed off to other parts of the Castle.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Miss Kaoru! Why did you change back into a kimono! Sanosuke exclaimed as the young woman slid open the door, revealing her newly donned red Kimono that hung brilliantly on her.
"What? We're not even anywhere in the palace yet, do you know how uncomfortable those clothes were? Plus I don't want the innkeeper to be suspicious; you know servants aren't meant to stay in first class rooms" Kaoru walked past her friend, "lets go find a good restaurant I'm so hungry! Lets go eat at the town's best restaurant!" dragging the poor man down the stairs
"Excuse me; do you know where the town's best restaurant is?" Kaoru asked the old woman who looked after the inn's keys.
"Ahh, the town's best restaurant? I'm proud to tell you this isn't just the best inn, but also the best restaurant in town!" the old woman smiled, pointing to her left, where there was a short corridor that lead them to a large room with beautifully furnished wooden tables and chairs. The place seemed crowded with people.
Kaoru's eyes followed her finger, and there, was the town's best restaurant, and it was only then that she realized, all those coming in and going out of the building were richly dressed. "Thank you" Kaoru smiled and took Sano's hand, dragging him to restaurant.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sano rented a wagon and bought some hay downtown, whilst Kaoru changed back into peasant's clothes, she sighed upon having to peel off her beautiful kimono and replace it with the rough, plain gi.
"Miss Kaoru, you don't even look like a peasant, even with a new hairdo and some clothing" Sano pointed at her.
"Well that's because you know me!" She retorted. By god, she was already pretty nervous upon going into the Castle, and Sano's doubts did not help at all.
"No, okay fine you go ask a random person…ask the innkeeper if you look like a servant"
Kaoru turned back into the inn "do I look like I work here?"
The old woman chuckled "No no no, you look like a young lady, in fact a rich young lady who leads an easy life… with that soft white skin and shiny hair of yours, you don't do any chores at home do you?"
"Huh? Well I can't help if my skin's not dark" Kaoru frowned "But thanks anyway" running back to the inn's backyard, she told her friend the old woman's response.
"Well, I think I've got an idea" Sano looked at the damn ground, he bent down and grabbed a hand full of dirt "Come Miss Kaoru"
Kaoru followed Sano's orders and bent down, Sano quickly smeared some dirt onto her face. "EWWWWWWWWWW!!!" Kaoru screamed "How can you do this to me! EWWWEWEWEWEWEW!"
Sano smiled, seemingly satisfied with the result, he smeared more onto Kaoru's arms before she can back off. "Now you really look like a dirty servant"
Kaoru blinked and looked at the now dry dirt on her arms…"wow I even feel like a servant now". And indeed, she looked like a mundane dirty girl, with muddy, messy hair and dirty brown skin.
"Miss Kaoru there's no time for you to admire your new identity, get into the wagon" Sano helped her up and lifted her into the wooden vehicle.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Hello sir, I bring supplies to the palace" Sano told the guards as evenly as he can
"Open the wagon" the guard ordered "we need to check"
Sanosuke opened the cover, and gestured for the guards to check.
"Pass"
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