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The Tale of A Proper Marriage : Chapter 4
by white seraph
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Kaoru sat at her little hide out, the small wooden bridge that stretched across a small stream that passed through their estates. She was throwing white pebbles into the ponds whilst kicking the clear water with her bare feet. The thought the Himura already made her blood boil with anger and frustration. 'that stuck up, stupid, ugly prick with an ego as big as his ass." She muttered under her breath, "I HATE HIM!" She said out loud, throwing another pebble into the river with all her might, scaring all the fish away.
A shadow approached her, blocking her from the blazing sun. "Who pissed me little jou-chan?" Kaoru turned and saw her brother, Sano, the annoying rooster head, yup, though two years her senior, he had proven a long time ago he deserved no respect whatsoever. Heck, here's discrepancy between his chronological and mental age! And there he stood like a mad man grinning.
[A/N doesn't anyone know what jou means?]
The tall lad squatted so he was eye level with his sister. "Mother told me to come escort you to lunch, with you little *finace!* wooooo!" He made smooching sounds, disguisting her sister. He half wondered why their parents haven't chosen a bride for him yet, and now, even his baby sister was off to the Himuras. He sighed, maybe the parents couldn't find a bride for him? Or did they not bother? Then he thought again, no wait, their parent's *never* find matches. How did they marry his oldest sister off? Ah yes, a young business man had asked for her hand in marriage. How did his second eldest sister get married? Ah yes, she was betrothed to her husband at 2 years of age.How did they manage to marry Megumi off? Ah, she eloped, got pregnant and married a general's son. And now, the Himuras asked for Kaoru's hand in marriage. Stupid, stupid parents! Of course no one asked for Sano's hand in marriage! Where was it ever right for the girl's family to ask for the lad's hand in marriage! Yet he knew, his parents did not bother to find their children, or at least make the effort to find their children a match.
Damn, he was nineteen. In ten years time, he's be twenty nine, no one would want to marry him then..
Suddenly a hand waved itself in front of him, he turned and saw Kaoru, quickly slapping her hand down he hissed "What?!" not at all liking the way Kaoru was treating him. he was her older brother! He needed the respect!
"You were talking to me, and then you were making a weird smoochy noise, and then you went into a trance." Kaoru explained very calmly and patiently as if he were a little boy. She kicked the water before dragging them up to the wooden bridge, and undid the loose knot that kept her kimono at knee level. Oh well, who'd notice the creases. She turned back to her brother, "Eh..hello? are you going to escort me or not?" Sano didn't reply, but walked down the steps, expecting his sister to follow [A/N omg it feels so weird to say Kaoru is Sano's sister, but oh well] "Hey, I saw the Himura guy, he looks like a girl! But I guess it all fits, since you look like a man anyway!" He burst into laughter at his own joke.
Kaoru slapped his shoulder "I could have beaten you to pulp for the last comment, but since you said something bad about that freak, I'll spare you once." She jogged up to him, making clobbering sounds as her wooden heels clashed to the pebbly road.
* * * * * *
Thank the lord they made it to the dining room in time, everyone was there, seated, excepted for a certain annoying redhead. Kaoru and Sanosuke both took their own seats. There was an empty seat next to her and opposite her, which she knew was for her mother and that jerk respectively. Table rules are, women at the right, men at the left, oh well at least her brother and aunt was around to ease the tension a bit.
Kenshin walked in when the table was half full, people who were chatting away all gave him their eyes, and his father? Heck he was giving him the dagger eyes. Was he late? No, there was another empty seat. But why was everyone staring at him then? Oh well, guess being overly handsome is a sin. He tossed his high pony tail arrogantly at that thought. [A/N sorry if it's majorly occ here.I know it's a bit exaggerated, but think of him as a REEALLY arrogant, stuck up egoistic jerk] He scanned across the room, suddenly realizing he didn't know where to sit. Oh well, big deal, he looked around hoping people would give him hints, unfortunately, no one gave him any. They all stared at him blankly, except for her.that bitch, dammit he KNEW she liked him. What? she was eyeing at the seat next to her? right.
So he took the initiative to walk to the right column and took the only available seat. The one next to Kaoru. Strangely, everyone stared at him as if he were a foreigner, and Kaoru only shot him an 'I-don't-know-you" glance before shaking her head slowly. What? what's going on? Kenshin was perplexed. Suddenly a voice from behind asked for him to be excused. "Sorry dear, but you're in the wrong seat, you have chances aplenty in the future to sit next to Kaoru, but not tonight, alright?" [A/N I made this rule up that men are only allowed to sit next to women in informal dinners or if they're married hehe :D sorry I'm always breaking the rules]
Kenshin pursed his lips upon the embarrassment in having taken the wrong seat AND accused of liking that wench, fuming silently he pushed himself up. Without an apology, he stomped around the table and sat next to the guy with a hairdo like a rooster, who was coughing, trying to suppress the laugh. Damn her. Kenshin cursed, feeling his knuckles turning white. Once again he had been humiliated by that girl, that stupid girl. He whirled a dangerous eye at her, but was only returned by a sweet, innocent smile. Okay she still likes him. Right, she wanted him to sit next to her, that's why she eyed for him to take that seat. Uh huh, sometimes admirers can become so obstinate.
If they thought a lunch could fix everything up, how wrong were they. Whenever a conversation about the couple, it always ended with unanswered questions, or by Sano's interference. Kaoru had participated in some non- self-relating subjects, but Kenshin remained quiet, silently sulking like a little kid.
And so, lunch ended disastrously, kenshin ended up in a pissed off mood, not willing too talk to anyone and Kaoru seemed strangely gleeful. The parents were silently anxious over the two, and so decided to 'stay behind' for tea, and ordered Kaoru and Kenshin to go have a chat in the gardens. And Sano? nobody remembered he was around except for his father, who eyed for him to go back to his room, which he mistook as following his sister.
* * * * * *
Kaoru turned left, wanting to talk back to her room. She barely realized that Kenshin had also taken the same route. Not until he suddenly turned back and snapped. "What do you want following me?" So she really liked him!
But Kaoru only replied with a calm, even voice, sighing. "My room is at the left side of the house. And when will it get through your thick skull that I DON'T like you?" She pushed him off the side "Now will you excuse me from seeing that pathetic face of yours."
Thankfully she was already heading down the corridor, or she would have liked kenshin's expression a lot. His jaw had dropped with shock and disbelief. Now now, NO ONE ever said he had a..a what? a PATHETIC face! Now this was absurd! That bitch.that awfully annoying bitch with a weird way in expression her affections.
Suddenly he felt someone stuff a piece of dumpling in his mouth, his gaze moved up and met the eyes of the guy with a rooster head who he sat with at lunch grinning like a maniac. He swallowed hard, forcing the food down his throat before pushing the man to the walls "What was that for!?" he hissed.
The tall man quickly shot up his arms and shook his head in surrender. "Why I saw your mouth wide open and I decided to help you fill it up before the bee does!" And then he grinned, "were you gaping over my sister?"
Kenshin just rolled his eyes and decided not to even reply that stupid question. The two were equally bad! Equally stupid! Did that run in the family? He shook his head with pity and empathy for the children in the Kamiya family.
* * * * * *
Unbeknownst to the others, the four parents were not just simply sitting in the dining room having tea and talking about daily business. No far from that. They were in fact worrying over their children's affairs. Hushing in low, quiet voices, they wanted this to be somewhat confidential. Not that they wanted people to think they were evil conspirators. Heck they were nobles! But sometimes, sometimes he had to let certain rules slip, and that happens where everything on the list above doesn't work. Just like the present situation.
Lady Himura put her tea cup down and sighed "Our Kenshin has always been a stubborn one, he just doesn't seem to be interested in Kaoru because he knows she's to be his bride, the one who would tie him to a marriage for life.." She shook her head, not understanding a bit about her son, this was a perfect match! Kaoru not just was from a good family, she was smart, pretty and refine, her son should be grateful they found such a wonderful bride for him!
Her husband picked up from where she left knowingly "He still thinks he's too young for marriage,.." *no he just thinks she's in the way of his flowery life* he silently thought, then resuming to the talk he continued "but the thing is, if he didn't see Kaoru as a bride, but a normal girl then I'm sure they would be much more comfortable together."
The other couple looked at each other, as if mentally conversing. The Lady Kamiya spoke up "I think our daughter's situation is pretty much the same. She keeps on making stories up about your son, saying he's a playboy and stuff, trying to convince us that he's not the right match." They were both unaware of the Himura couple's cautious glance. "I know she just doesn't feel right having to be off to live with a different family in a few months time." She sighed, obviously not believing her daughter's words.
"Right" Her husband followed on "But aside from that, we're very happy about the marriage. We have been acquainted for too long, I think it is time we come a family." He laughed, meaning his words genuinely. "I'm sure if we give them enough time, they will learn to like each other."
The Himuras were relieved they drifted away from the sensitive subject. "I think we should have these gatherings more often," Lord himura said, "it's good to give the two a chance together"
His wife interrupted "Oh, Gatherings like this would help if they all end up like this one today!" Then she smiled cunningly "I think we should *make* chances for the two together!" Now a whole list of plans were already forming in her head.
"Oh?" the other three looked at her, perplexed with anticipation.
* * * * * *
"Oi!" Sanosuke had been following Kenshin for the past half hour, he didn't have anything to do, he didn't have anywhere to do, and he was quite interested in this soon to be brother-in-law. He didn't seem as bad as Jou- chan had described him as. Sure he looked a little girly, but he was a pretty refine, well mannered guy. Well.at least after he apologized and they made up. Heh, say they are fated to be friends or what. Or at least that was what he thought.
Kenshin was just more than eager to go home now. He had, thanks to Sanosuke, explored the whole estate in a half hour tour. He wasn't was bad as he thought he would be, not like his sister, he thought. The house was smaller in size compared to his own one, but he had to admit that the more he looked around the more strange things he sees.
"Kaoru's master pieces since childhood" Sanosuke would say indifferently whenever they come across an armless stone carved antique, or foreign smudges on paintings, a flowerbed with all the buds plucked off, pillars with faint graffiti.
Okay, so kenshin needs an update on his fiancé-soon-not-to-be. Not only is she a hot headed spunk, a violent bitch with little knowledge on how to express her admiration for such a handsome man as he, a wench with no refine manners, she's also had a wild childhood with little discipline. Right, now things started to fall into place. He was noooo way going to get himself stuck with this one for the rest of his life!
"Hey, hey lets go visit Jou-chan! Give her a surprise!" Sanosuke grinned teasingly, knowing their mutual hatred. But he couldn't help but find them cute. Maybe it was because he was older, and looking at the business from a more mature perspective.Uh huh, he sure is mature. He grabbed kenshin's arm and tried to pull him to come with him.
Luckily, Kenshin was saved, a girl came running in, "Mr. Himura, your parents are leaving now, they tell you to go meet them at the main entrance." She made a quick curtsy and left the two.
Kenshin smirked victoriously, "Well I'm sorry I can't go visit your sister for now, I need to go!" That servant, he swore, was his heavenly angel, sent to protecthim from the evil Kamiya siblings. Then turned to the door then suddenly, it occurred to him. "Where is the main entrance again?"
* * * * * *
It has been two days since the disastrous meeting. In these two days, Kenshin had very diligently tried to persuade his father to reconsider about breaking the betrothal. Reasons after reasons; she's crude! She's violent! She's got too much a spirit! She's obnoxious! All these reasons! Yet his father still shook his head and did not budge. "A promise is a promise. We can't break the betrothal just like that! What would Kaoru think?" His father would reply "Besides, you're not much better, my son. Be glad you got her as your bride" Not much better? Heck at least i'm a man many sought after! Kenshin fumed silently. Fine. If his father is being such a rock he'll go talk to his mother.
But her response was only worse. Not only did she not help him, she ever asserted Kaoru, it seems like she was already in love with her soon-to-be- daughter-in-law. "Oh she's a wonderful girl, absolutely adorable!" His mother would say, "She's just the perfect girl for my darling!" Kenshin sighed. Was it that hard for them to notice that it was only the façade they saw of Kaoru the other day? Or were they just too blinded by marrying him off that they totally forgot about how he felt?
If only that Kamiya girl was willing to break the betrothal and not marry him.He sighed, if only she didn't like him as much as she really does, then maybe, maybe there would be chance for him to escape this marriage. Damn he wish he wasn't that handsome, that rich, that much sought after. He though arrogantly (yes he truly thinks Kaoru likes him)
"Oh and by the way, Kenshin, we're having a family picnic with the Kamiyas the day after tomorrow." His mother told him just as he was about to turn and leave. "I'd like you to be presentable, alright?"
Now Kenshin whirled back furiously, not wanting to undergo the same torture again "What?! no, mother! I'm definitely not going this time!" He protested, yet innately..well maybe not innately, because he knew with experience that his mother would do things without his consent anyway.
And true to his words, "Well, well, dear, don't be so close minded, Kaoru will be there, remember? I'm sure you will have a nice time with her." She smiled happily, seeming pleased with her plans, and deaf to Kenshin's previous rants. She gently pushed his back prompting him to get out of her room.
"But..but I don't want to go BECAUSE of-" His mother didn't let him finish and slid the door close. "Sweet dreams dear." He heard his mother call from behind the door.
"her" He finished off with a quiet, helpless mutter.
* * * * * *
NEXT TIME!
A family picnic or a conspired date!?
The two are tricked! Having being forced on a carriage together, they thought they were only going to have a picnic at the Sakura Park along with the others. But no! Why did the two end up in an unknown district in the City centre? Oh dear..what next?
The Tale of A Proper Marriage : Chapter 4
by white seraph
**************************************************
Kaoru sat at her little hide out, the small wooden bridge that stretched across a small stream that passed through their estates. She was throwing white pebbles into the ponds whilst kicking the clear water with her bare feet. The thought the Himura already made her blood boil with anger and frustration. 'that stuck up, stupid, ugly prick with an ego as big as his ass." She muttered under her breath, "I HATE HIM!" She said out loud, throwing another pebble into the river with all her might, scaring all the fish away.
A shadow approached her, blocking her from the blazing sun. "Who pissed me little jou-chan?" Kaoru turned and saw her brother, Sano, the annoying rooster head, yup, though two years her senior, he had proven a long time ago he deserved no respect whatsoever. Heck, here's discrepancy between his chronological and mental age! And there he stood like a mad man grinning.
[A/N doesn't anyone know what jou means?]
The tall lad squatted so he was eye level with his sister. "Mother told me to come escort you to lunch, with you little *finace!* wooooo!" He made smooching sounds, disguisting her sister. He half wondered why their parents haven't chosen a bride for him yet, and now, even his baby sister was off to the Himuras. He sighed, maybe the parents couldn't find a bride for him? Or did they not bother? Then he thought again, no wait, their parent's *never* find matches. How did they marry his oldest sister off? Ah yes, a young business man had asked for her hand in marriage. How did his second eldest sister get married? Ah yes, she was betrothed to her husband at 2 years of age.How did they manage to marry Megumi off? Ah, she eloped, got pregnant and married a general's son. And now, the Himuras asked for Kaoru's hand in marriage. Stupid, stupid parents! Of course no one asked for Sano's hand in marriage! Where was it ever right for the girl's family to ask for the lad's hand in marriage! Yet he knew, his parents did not bother to find their children, or at least make the effort to find their children a match.
Damn, he was nineteen. In ten years time, he's be twenty nine, no one would want to marry him then..
Suddenly a hand waved itself in front of him, he turned and saw Kaoru, quickly slapping her hand down he hissed "What?!" not at all liking the way Kaoru was treating him. he was her older brother! He needed the respect!
"You were talking to me, and then you were making a weird smoochy noise, and then you went into a trance." Kaoru explained very calmly and patiently as if he were a little boy. She kicked the water before dragging them up to the wooden bridge, and undid the loose knot that kept her kimono at knee level. Oh well, who'd notice the creases. She turned back to her brother, "Eh..hello? are you going to escort me or not?" Sano didn't reply, but walked down the steps, expecting his sister to follow [A/N omg it feels so weird to say Kaoru is Sano's sister, but oh well] "Hey, I saw the Himura guy, he looks like a girl! But I guess it all fits, since you look like a man anyway!" He burst into laughter at his own joke.
Kaoru slapped his shoulder "I could have beaten you to pulp for the last comment, but since you said something bad about that freak, I'll spare you once." She jogged up to him, making clobbering sounds as her wooden heels clashed to the pebbly road.
* * * * * *
Thank the lord they made it to the dining room in time, everyone was there, seated, excepted for a certain annoying redhead. Kaoru and Sanosuke both took their own seats. There was an empty seat next to her and opposite her, which she knew was for her mother and that jerk respectively. Table rules are, women at the right, men at the left, oh well at least her brother and aunt was around to ease the tension a bit.
Kenshin walked in when the table was half full, people who were chatting away all gave him their eyes, and his father? Heck he was giving him the dagger eyes. Was he late? No, there was another empty seat. But why was everyone staring at him then? Oh well, guess being overly handsome is a sin. He tossed his high pony tail arrogantly at that thought. [A/N sorry if it's majorly occ here.I know it's a bit exaggerated, but think of him as a REEALLY arrogant, stuck up egoistic jerk] He scanned across the room, suddenly realizing he didn't know where to sit. Oh well, big deal, he looked around hoping people would give him hints, unfortunately, no one gave him any. They all stared at him blankly, except for her.that bitch, dammit he KNEW she liked him. What? she was eyeing at the seat next to her? right.
So he took the initiative to walk to the right column and took the only available seat. The one next to Kaoru. Strangely, everyone stared at him as if he were a foreigner, and Kaoru only shot him an 'I-don't-know-you" glance before shaking her head slowly. What? what's going on? Kenshin was perplexed. Suddenly a voice from behind asked for him to be excused. "Sorry dear, but you're in the wrong seat, you have chances aplenty in the future to sit next to Kaoru, but not tonight, alright?" [A/N I made this rule up that men are only allowed to sit next to women in informal dinners or if they're married hehe :D sorry I'm always breaking the rules]
Kenshin pursed his lips upon the embarrassment in having taken the wrong seat AND accused of liking that wench, fuming silently he pushed himself up. Without an apology, he stomped around the table and sat next to the guy with a hairdo like a rooster, who was coughing, trying to suppress the laugh. Damn her. Kenshin cursed, feeling his knuckles turning white. Once again he had been humiliated by that girl, that stupid girl. He whirled a dangerous eye at her, but was only returned by a sweet, innocent smile. Okay she still likes him. Right, she wanted him to sit next to her, that's why she eyed for him to take that seat. Uh huh, sometimes admirers can become so obstinate.
If they thought a lunch could fix everything up, how wrong were they. Whenever a conversation about the couple, it always ended with unanswered questions, or by Sano's interference. Kaoru had participated in some non- self-relating subjects, but Kenshin remained quiet, silently sulking like a little kid.
And so, lunch ended disastrously, kenshin ended up in a pissed off mood, not willing too talk to anyone and Kaoru seemed strangely gleeful. The parents were silently anxious over the two, and so decided to 'stay behind' for tea, and ordered Kaoru and Kenshin to go have a chat in the gardens. And Sano? nobody remembered he was around except for his father, who eyed for him to go back to his room, which he mistook as following his sister.
* * * * * *
Kaoru turned left, wanting to talk back to her room. She barely realized that Kenshin had also taken the same route. Not until he suddenly turned back and snapped. "What do you want following me?" So she really liked him!
But Kaoru only replied with a calm, even voice, sighing. "My room is at the left side of the house. And when will it get through your thick skull that I DON'T like you?" She pushed him off the side "Now will you excuse me from seeing that pathetic face of yours."
Thankfully she was already heading down the corridor, or she would have liked kenshin's expression a lot. His jaw had dropped with shock and disbelief. Now now, NO ONE ever said he had a..a what? a PATHETIC face! Now this was absurd! That bitch.that awfully annoying bitch with a weird way in expression her affections.
Suddenly he felt someone stuff a piece of dumpling in his mouth, his gaze moved up and met the eyes of the guy with a rooster head who he sat with at lunch grinning like a maniac. He swallowed hard, forcing the food down his throat before pushing the man to the walls "What was that for!?" he hissed.
The tall man quickly shot up his arms and shook his head in surrender. "Why I saw your mouth wide open and I decided to help you fill it up before the bee does!" And then he grinned, "were you gaping over my sister?"
Kenshin just rolled his eyes and decided not to even reply that stupid question. The two were equally bad! Equally stupid! Did that run in the family? He shook his head with pity and empathy for the children in the Kamiya family.
* * * * * *
Unbeknownst to the others, the four parents were not just simply sitting in the dining room having tea and talking about daily business. No far from that. They were in fact worrying over their children's affairs. Hushing in low, quiet voices, they wanted this to be somewhat confidential. Not that they wanted people to think they were evil conspirators. Heck they were nobles! But sometimes, sometimes he had to let certain rules slip, and that happens where everything on the list above doesn't work. Just like the present situation.
Lady Himura put her tea cup down and sighed "Our Kenshin has always been a stubborn one, he just doesn't seem to be interested in Kaoru because he knows she's to be his bride, the one who would tie him to a marriage for life.." She shook her head, not understanding a bit about her son, this was a perfect match! Kaoru not just was from a good family, she was smart, pretty and refine, her son should be grateful they found such a wonderful bride for him!
Her husband picked up from where she left knowingly "He still thinks he's too young for marriage,.." *no he just thinks she's in the way of his flowery life* he silently thought, then resuming to the talk he continued "but the thing is, if he didn't see Kaoru as a bride, but a normal girl then I'm sure they would be much more comfortable together."
The other couple looked at each other, as if mentally conversing. The Lady Kamiya spoke up "I think our daughter's situation is pretty much the same. She keeps on making stories up about your son, saying he's a playboy and stuff, trying to convince us that he's not the right match." They were both unaware of the Himura couple's cautious glance. "I know she just doesn't feel right having to be off to live with a different family in a few months time." She sighed, obviously not believing her daughter's words.
"Right" Her husband followed on "But aside from that, we're very happy about the marriage. We have been acquainted for too long, I think it is time we come a family." He laughed, meaning his words genuinely. "I'm sure if we give them enough time, they will learn to like each other."
The Himuras were relieved they drifted away from the sensitive subject. "I think we should have these gatherings more often," Lord himura said, "it's good to give the two a chance together"
His wife interrupted "Oh, Gatherings like this would help if they all end up like this one today!" Then she smiled cunningly "I think we should *make* chances for the two together!" Now a whole list of plans were already forming in her head.
"Oh?" the other three looked at her, perplexed with anticipation.
* * * * * *
"Oi!" Sanosuke had been following Kenshin for the past half hour, he didn't have anything to do, he didn't have anywhere to do, and he was quite interested in this soon to be brother-in-law. He didn't seem as bad as Jou- chan had described him as. Sure he looked a little girly, but he was a pretty refine, well mannered guy. Well.at least after he apologized and they made up. Heh, say they are fated to be friends or what. Or at least that was what he thought.
Kenshin was just more than eager to go home now. He had, thanks to Sanosuke, explored the whole estate in a half hour tour. He wasn't was bad as he thought he would be, not like his sister, he thought. The house was smaller in size compared to his own one, but he had to admit that the more he looked around the more strange things he sees.
"Kaoru's master pieces since childhood" Sanosuke would say indifferently whenever they come across an armless stone carved antique, or foreign smudges on paintings, a flowerbed with all the buds plucked off, pillars with faint graffiti.
Okay, so kenshin needs an update on his fiancé-soon-not-to-be. Not only is she a hot headed spunk, a violent bitch with little knowledge on how to express her admiration for such a handsome man as he, a wench with no refine manners, she's also had a wild childhood with little discipline. Right, now things started to fall into place. He was noooo way going to get himself stuck with this one for the rest of his life!
"Hey, hey lets go visit Jou-chan! Give her a surprise!" Sanosuke grinned teasingly, knowing their mutual hatred. But he couldn't help but find them cute. Maybe it was because he was older, and looking at the business from a more mature perspective.Uh huh, he sure is mature. He grabbed kenshin's arm and tried to pull him to come with him.
Luckily, Kenshin was saved, a girl came running in, "Mr. Himura, your parents are leaving now, they tell you to go meet them at the main entrance." She made a quick curtsy and left the two.
Kenshin smirked victoriously, "Well I'm sorry I can't go visit your sister for now, I need to go!" That servant, he swore, was his heavenly angel, sent to protecthim from the evil Kamiya siblings. Then turned to the door then suddenly, it occurred to him. "Where is the main entrance again?"
* * * * * *
It has been two days since the disastrous meeting. In these two days, Kenshin had very diligently tried to persuade his father to reconsider about breaking the betrothal. Reasons after reasons; she's crude! She's violent! She's got too much a spirit! She's obnoxious! All these reasons! Yet his father still shook his head and did not budge. "A promise is a promise. We can't break the betrothal just like that! What would Kaoru think?" His father would reply "Besides, you're not much better, my son. Be glad you got her as your bride" Not much better? Heck at least i'm a man many sought after! Kenshin fumed silently. Fine. If his father is being such a rock he'll go talk to his mother.
But her response was only worse. Not only did she not help him, she ever asserted Kaoru, it seems like she was already in love with her soon-to-be- daughter-in-law. "Oh she's a wonderful girl, absolutely adorable!" His mother would say, "She's just the perfect girl for my darling!" Kenshin sighed. Was it that hard for them to notice that it was only the façade they saw of Kaoru the other day? Or were they just too blinded by marrying him off that they totally forgot about how he felt?
If only that Kamiya girl was willing to break the betrothal and not marry him.He sighed, if only she didn't like him as much as she really does, then maybe, maybe there would be chance for him to escape this marriage. Damn he wish he wasn't that handsome, that rich, that much sought after. He though arrogantly (yes he truly thinks Kaoru likes him)
"Oh and by the way, Kenshin, we're having a family picnic with the Kamiyas the day after tomorrow." His mother told him just as he was about to turn and leave. "I'd like you to be presentable, alright?"
Now Kenshin whirled back furiously, not wanting to undergo the same torture again "What?! no, mother! I'm definitely not going this time!" He protested, yet innately..well maybe not innately, because he knew with experience that his mother would do things without his consent anyway.
And true to his words, "Well, well, dear, don't be so close minded, Kaoru will be there, remember? I'm sure you will have a nice time with her." She smiled happily, seeming pleased with her plans, and deaf to Kenshin's previous rants. She gently pushed his back prompting him to get out of her room.
"But..but I don't want to go BECAUSE of-" His mother didn't let him finish and slid the door close. "Sweet dreams dear." He heard his mother call from behind the door.
"her" He finished off with a quiet, helpless mutter.
* * * * * *
NEXT TIME!
A family picnic or a conspired date!?
The two are tricked! Having being forced on a carriage together, they thought they were only going to have a picnic at the Sakura Park along with the others. But no! Why did the two end up in an unknown district in the City centre? Oh dear..what next?
