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Once Upon a time: Chapter 18
by white seraph
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The afternoon had been hectic and blurred for The old woman (I've still not thought of a name for her, but perhaps we should leave it like that lol). Never in her years serving in the castle, had she seen the whole population within the castle walls so quiet and silent all together. No one dared raise their voice, no one dared joke around. It was as if all the mirth and happiness fell unconscious along with that girl; Kaoru.
His royal highness wasn't in a good mood; sure she believed some women had the ablity get into a man's blood, but she never expected the influence and power this girl, who once was a servant, was able to wield over the King.
Now she started to believe this girl was something more than a mere mistress. And perhaps it was wrong of her to contribute to the little plot Yumi had devised. Suddenly, little bits and pieces fit in to form a larger picture of the whole issue; which depicted the envy Yumi had for the new comer…and yes, she was a puppet. This woman was certainly cunning. If they really got caught, the blame would fall on Yumi last, and she herself would definitely be framed.
The old woman's mind was cleared, and she knew what she had to do. For the sake of her own safety from Yumi's clutches, the only way to extricate herself from this whole conspiracy that Yumi had calculatingly concocted, and to save the poor victim, that was the only way. Yes.
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However, unbeknownst to the old woman who sat in the inner parts of the Kitchen devising a new scheme, Kaoru on the other hand, was hanging dangerously on door of death. Doctor after doctor was sent, from not just the entire castle (including Dr genzai of course) but the entire capital. But no one, none, was able to pull her back to consciousness, nor could any figure out what exactly was wrong with her.
True, it was obvious she had consumed poison that was in her food, however, none were able to tell what kind of poison was consumed, and thus, were not able to give her the proper antidote. No it wasn't that simple; they couldn't just give her any remedies to counter react with the poison, there were just too many types, and if they were to give her all the medicine that had the possibility to cure Kaoru from the poison, she'd have died to taking too much anyway.
Kenshin couldn't bear seeing her suffer such excruciating pain, and went to refuge on his balcony. He never knew she meant that much to him. Sure, he admitted it was her beauty that aroused his lust for her, however, it was definitely something else about her that took his feelings for her into a higher level; admiration, respect and more, the mutual friendship. The little gesture in exchanging names portrayed the strength in which their new bond wielded, in integrating any social differences, and the understanding and acceptance of each other's background. (yeah I'm just waffin' round lol)
The more he thought about it, the more he found it hard to accept the fact that she was lying in her deathbed, with a handful of perplexed doctors who had no idea what to do.
However, when his mind started to gather, the ultimate question remained. Why does he care so much? People come and go, born and die, it's either earlier or later. But he simply refuse to accept death upon Kaoru, as he could have the all others.
In fact, he was beginning to realize how much he had changed for the few weeks of her arrival. It was as if his aggressive, autocratic behaviors faded, slowly. Somehow, he just felt to tired and careless to care about the matters he once found so disrespectful and unacceptable. Taking in the current situation as an example; he certainly would have sent all the doctors down to hell immediately, but instead, he had given them much more time, no that wasn't it. He had lost the desire to wield his sword to kill them.
He was beginning to understand the doctors' dilemmas and felt a tinge of regret for acting so intimidating earlier to the royal healers. But he just couldn't help his emotional outburst; not to such as extent as to see Kaoru suffer because of their ignorance and incapability in curing her.
And then it struck him. Yes! And why has it not occurred to him before? How could he miss such an important note?! If the poison was from food she ate in the morning, then naturally, the cook should know about this!
And so, with high hopes, he quickly ran to the kitchen, he didn't even bother to ask for the guards or anyone. No, he didn't.
Of course he knew very well, where the kitchen is, after all, this is his domain. However, he was rather shocked upon the sight. He never knew of such a filthy, shabby place. It was hard to believe this was part of the castle he lived in, that this place was exactly 7 floors under his bed chamber.
He stood there still, and every pair of eyes present was looking at him. The whole kitchen had their attention on him, then man started to whisper. A few bowed, showing their respects, and others nearby followed. Soon, everyone where down, bowing with respect. He rose his voice slightly, so make sure everyone in the large kitchen were able to hear. "I look for the one who cooked breakfast for my mistresses yesterday."
Of course everyone knew about it, news spread quickly. But no one expected this. Many turned their glances to a certain old woman, who stood between two long tables at the far end of the room, behind a few other younger women.
So naturally, he got the silent answer. Walking boldly with large steps, he stomped to the old woman. Pushed her over the long tables and pulled on the hem of her kimono, demanding with rage for if she was really the one who wanted Kaoru dead.
The old woman, who was rather frightened, denied. Which was ultimately true. She didn't want Kaoru dead, she was only responsible. If she died, then Kaoru would really have to die, because no one would know how else Kaoru could be cured. No one. And she wasn't going too die yet, no, she owed it to that girl.
However, his royal highness was persistent. It was as if he won't let her go until she admitted something that wasn't true; that she wanted Kaoru dead. Damn. Why did she get herself into so much trouble? If only she didn't listen to Yumi…but she needed that money desperately….
Suddenly, the piece of paper, in which she wrote all the herbal remedies that will cure the girl was snatched away from her.
"What is this?" His voice demanded lowly, authoritively.
The old woman plucked up her courage, she was an old woman, and pride and dignity was something she held strictly. She had let money lead her astray once, and she won't let it happy again.
"This is a recipe your doctors have been trying to concoct the entire afternoon, your majesty." She bowed, but tried to remain dignified.
His eyes narrowed with suspect, but it was enough to catch his interest. "And who are you to say this? You wanted her dead, I supposed it is rather ironic that you have a recipe that will cure her."
"Well I supposed this is the time when you have to resort to trust your enemies. This is your last hope, if you don't believe me, she will really die." The old woman strugged casually, trying to act calm, but inside she, too was begging silently for her highness to accept the recipe for the antidote, so Kaoru won't die, and she won't have to carry the guilt for the rest of her life.
The King finally stooped. A chance was a chance. She was right. Staring hard at her old, clouded eyes, he warned her "If Kaoru dies, then I will have you to keep her company in hell." With that he went off, still ignorant about the real villain behind the whole conspiracy.
The old woman sighed. She just hoped his royal highness will be too overjoyed upon Kaoru's restoration that he will forget about the whole incident….
Though it was quite a small chance.\
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Yumi, was behind the thin doors, and heard every single word clearly; Kaoru recovered miraculously, and everyone were overjoyed. Be damned, that plan didn't work, and it only left the two better than before. If she can't eradicate this girl through death, then fine, she had many others in stock. Yes, she'll have to break their bond before she could kill her.
A/N: YAY! Not done yet! Yumi has one more shot of evil before she goes offstage to shishio :D
Once Upon a time: Chapter 18
by white seraph
**************************************************
The afternoon had been hectic and blurred for The old woman (I've still not thought of a name for her, but perhaps we should leave it like that lol). Never in her years serving in the castle, had she seen the whole population within the castle walls so quiet and silent all together. No one dared raise their voice, no one dared joke around. It was as if all the mirth and happiness fell unconscious along with that girl; Kaoru.
His royal highness wasn't in a good mood; sure she believed some women had the ablity get into a man's blood, but she never expected the influence and power this girl, who once was a servant, was able to wield over the King.
Now she started to believe this girl was something more than a mere mistress. And perhaps it was wrong of her to contribute to the little plot Yumi had devised. Suddenly, little bits and pieces fit in to form a larger picture of the whole issue; which depicted the envy Yumi had for the new comer…and yes, she was a puppet. This woman was certainly cunning. If they really got caught, the blame would fall on Yumi last, and she herself would definitely be framed.
The old woman's mind was cleared, and she knew what she had to do. For the sake of her own safety from Yumi's clutches, the only way to extricate herself from this whole conspiracy that Yumi had calculatingly concocted, and to save the poor victim, that was the only way. Yes.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
However, unbeknownst to the old woman who sat in the inner parts of the Kitchen devising a new scheme, Kaoru on the other hand, was hanging dangerously on door of death. Doctor after doctor was sent, from not just the entire castle (including Dr genzai of course) but the entire capital. But no one, none, was able to pull her back to consciousness, nor could any figure out what exactly was wrong with her.
True, it was obvious she had consumed poison that was in her food, however, none were able to tell what kind of poison was consumed, and thus, were not able to give her the proper antidote. No it wasn't that simple; they couldn't just give her any remedies to counter react with the poison, there were just too many types, and if they were to give her all the medicine that had the possibility to cure Kaoru from the poison, she'd have died to taking too much anyway.
Kenshin couldn't bear seeing her suffer such excruciating pain, and went to refuge on his balcony. He never knew she meant that much to him. Sure, he admitted it was her beauty that aroused his lust for her, however, it was definitely something else about her that took his feelings for her into a higher level; admiration, respect and more, the mutual friendship. The little gesture in exchanging names portrayed the strength in which their new bond wielded, in integrating any social differences, and the understanding and acceptance of each other's background. (yeah I'm just waffin' round lol)
The more he thought about it, the more he found it hard to accept the fact that she was lying in her deathbed, with a handful of perplexed doctors who had no idea what to do.
However, when his mind started to gather, the ultimate question remained. Why does he care so much? People come and go, born and die, it's either earlier or later. But he simply refuse to accept death upon Kaoru, as he could have the all others.
In fact, he was beginning to realize how much he had changed for the few weeks of her arrival. It was as if his aggressive, autocratic behaviors faded, slowly. Somehow, he just felt to tired and careless to care about the matters he once found so disrespectful and unacceptable. Taking in the current situation as an example; he certainly would have sent all the doctors down to hell immediately, but instead, he had given them much more time, no that wasn't it. He had lost the desire to wield his sword to kill them.
He was beginning to understand the doctors' dilemmas and felt a tinge of regret for acting so intimidating earlier to the royal healers. But he just couldn't help his emotional outburst; not to such as extent as to see Kaoru suffer because of their ignorance and incapability in curing her.
And then it struck him. Yes! And why has it not occurred to him before? How could he miss such an important note?! If the poison was from food she ate in the morning, then naturally, the cook should know about this!
And so, with high hopes, he quickly ran to the kitchen, he didn't even bother to ask for the guards or anyone. No, he didn't.
Of course he knew very well, where the kitchen is, after all, this is his domain. However, he was rather shocked upon the sight. He never knew of such a filthy, shabby place. It was hard to believe this was part of the castle he lived in, that this place was exactly 7 floors under his bed chamber.
He stood there still, and every pair of eyes present was looking at him. The whole kitchen had their attention on him, then man started to whisper. A few bowed, showing their respects, and others nearby followed. Soon, everyone where down, bowing with respect. He rose his voice slightly, so make sure everyone in the large kitchen were able to hear. "I look for the one who cooked breakfast for my mistresses yesterday."
Of course everyone knew about it, news spread quickly. But no one expected this. Many turned their glances to a certain old woman, who stood between two long tables at the far end of the room, behind a few other younger women.
So naturally, he got the silent answer. Walking boldly with large steps, he stomped to the old woman. Pushed her over the long tables and pulled on the hem of her kimono, demanding with rage for if she was really the one who wanted Kaoru dead.
The old woman, who was rather frightened, denied. Which was ultimately true. She didn't want Kaoru dead, she was only responsible. If she died, then Kaoru would really have to die, because no one would know how else Kaoru could be cured. No one. And she wasn't going too die yet, no, she owed it to that girl.
However, his royal highness was persistent. It was as if he won't let her go until she admitted something that wasn't true; that she wanted Kaoru dead. Damn. Why did she get herself into so much trouble? If only she didn't listen to Yumi…but she needed that money desperately….
Suddenly, the piece of paper, in which she wrote all the herbal remedies that will cure the girl was snatched away from her.
"What is this?" His voice demanded lowly, authoritively.
The old woman plucked up her courage, she was an old woman, and pride and dignity was something she held strictly. She had let money lead her astray once, and she won't let it happy again.
"This is a recipe your doctors have been trying to concoct the entire afternoon, your majesty." She bowed, but tried to remain dignified.
His eyes narrowed with suspect, but it was enough to catch his interest. "And who are you to say this? You wanted her dead, I supposed it is rather ironic that you have a recipe that will cure her."
"Well I supposed this is the time when you have to resort to trust your enemies. This is your last hope, if you don't believe me, she will really die." The old woman strugged casually, trying to act calm, but inside she, too was begging silently for her highness to accept the recipe for the antidote, so Kaoru won't die, and she won't have to carry the guilt for the rest of her life.
The King finally stooped. A chance was a chance. She was right. Staring hard at her old, clouded eyes, he warned her "If Kaoru dies, then I will have you to keep her company in hell." With that he went off, still ignorant about the real villain behind the whole conspiracy.
The old woman sighed. She just hoped his royal highness will be too overjoyed upon Kaoru's restoration that he will forget about the whole incident….
Though it was quite a small chance.\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yumi, was behind the thin doors, and heard every single word clearly; Kaoru recovered miraculously, and everyone were overjoyed. Be damned, that plan didn't work, and it only left the two better than before. If she can't eradicate this girl through death, then fine, she had many others in stock. Yes, she'll have to break their bond before she could kill her.
A/N: YAY! Not done yet! Yumi has one more shot of evil before she goes offstage to shishio :D