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The Tale of A Proper Marriage : Chapter 7
by white seraph
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As soon as the two were in the carriage, Kenshin immediately changed into a completely different person. Pushing Kaoru roughly to the back of the sear he warned her dangerously. "Don't you even think you can buy me with those little things you do." He hissed fiercely, still ignorantly assuming she had really made those food in the will to win his heart. "Listen carefully wench, even if we do get married, don't you even think about having a good life. In fact I'll make your life a living hell, you'll only be my sex toy, and if I get bored of you, which I expect won't be long, I'll shelve you in the darkest corners of the house."
However, too his fury, none of his words were as effective as he had expected. Kaoru just shrugged casually, as if it wasn't even remotely a threat. "Well I guess it doesn't matter how I think, since what ever I say you will distort it to fit them into your affirmed statement that I like you, which I know is completely untrue."
Kenshin gave her a confused look, obviously understanding nothing of what she said.
And so, Kaoru continued, though she highly doubted this time would be any different from the several number of other times before where she tried to explain to him that she didn't like him before. "Oh, and I just wanted to tell you, the reason why the rice was so pungent is because I added an excessive amount of wasabi in it." She giggled evilly "And that face, when you were forced to eat them, was priceless."
This was not possible! How could it be? She didn't like him? she didn't like him? Kenshin just stared at his with disbelief, not knowing whether to be relieved or disappointed. Relieved that he still had a chance to extricate himself from the horrible plans his parents tied him to, and disappointed because it was the first time he met a girl who was not enchanted by his charm.
But innately he still doubted her words. How could he not? Okay, maybe she was falling in love with him... before they got tangled into a marriage. But after being introduced she started to get bored?... Kenshin tried to jump here and there to draw a conclusion that would satisfy his pride.
Finally finding his voice, he resumed back to his normal arrogant self. "Well then I'd make sure if we do get married that your hands be chopped off so I won't ever have to taste your cooking every again." He said harshly, knowing he was in an advantageous position in the marriage; at least he was the one to make decisions, at least he was to be the one with authority.
Kaoru bit her lip, trying hard to find a good rebuttal, "I don't care!" She cried "And you know why?" She didn't wait for him to answer "Because I KNOW I can get myself out of this stupid marriage!" Kaoru said confidently.
Kenshin snorted skeptically and decided to ignore the girl. The conversation was getting boring.no, the conversation was starting to hurt his pride. He silently admitted to himself. He wasn't going to let the girl's lies sway him, no he wasn't. Kenshin assured himself that they were all but lies, and there was no point in arguing with a girl as stupid and ignorant as her.
* * * * *
Kaoru sat on the wooden porch out side of her house, fanning herself with a bamboo framed, under the stifling hot, sticky weather, she almost felt sick, and with her friend, reminding her of her predicament wasn't making her mood any better. She hadn't seen her friend for quite a while; ever since she was introduced to her fiancé, to be precise. They all busied her with visits and things that she rarely had the time for her own personal life that she was so used to before. The fact that the lad was a complete jerk did not make the situation much better either.
"So what happened?" Tae asked, bringing Kaoru back. She was just being told of Kaoru's little prank with the lunch she made the other day, and was anticipating for other half of the story. She had inwardly admitted to herself that she was green with envy over her friend, because she got to see the famous lad nearly everyday, but it also amused her immensely how repellent Kaoru was and how much she hated her fiancé, and ironically, how he thought she was deeply in love with him.
"anyway, anyway, listen!" Kaoru tugged her friend's sleeve to get her attention back. "And so, he had to escort me back home. And you know what?! He said if he ever married me, he'd .he'd.." Kaoru couldn't bring herself to say the disgraceful part of his speech and so decided to skip that part "He said he'd have me shelved and locked up in one of the rooms forever! Can you believe it? God I've never met such a cruel, selfish bastard like him!" Kaoru was fuming as she recalled their last conversation.
But Tae only chuckled, finding the story the more amusing as Kaoru went on, they were so cute! flirting in such a strange way. "Ah, I didn't get his joke about the shelves." Tae wanted Kaoru to further explain what she meant by being locked in the rooms.
"What?" Kaoru blinked, "it's NOT a joke! He really meant it! Oh my, you should have seen his expression, it was as if he was about to chop me into pieces!" Kaoru exclaimed, how could she mistake it as a JOKE? Gosh!
"Oh? Oops" Tae smiled sheepishly, but turned serious, which was quite a rare sight. "But if he is serious, then." She sighed "Kaoru, you know, it's not that good of an idea to provoke the man who you know you will be tied to for the rest of your life." Tae was now truly concerned, because it seemed that Kaoru was going a bit too far, and it may well cost her, her own happiness for the rest of her life.
Kaoru but her fan down, as a rare gust of wind scrapped across her face. "Nah" She said very casually "Don't you worry. I'll get myself out of the marriage!"
"Yes, I know you're trying very hard. "Tae agreed "Your mere effort cannot preclude the marriage from coming. I mean what if, and I mean do mean, what if, you two Do get married? You never know what lies ahead for you. and by provoking him like you are, now, I don't think it will help him at least try to make himself a better husband for you. " She drifted off, not knowing what to say next. Yet that already was enough for her friend to understand.
Kaoru bit her lip and remained quiet, for she couldn't agree anymore on her words, she was right, and Kaoru knew it. Kaoru had always rested everything on the hope that she will, one day, manage to escape the marriage. She had no hope with her parents. Whatever went into their ears, whatever came out. Whenever she protested the marriage, which was the only thing she did whenever they were around, they would just brush it off lightly, as if it were nothing to concern about. God, and Kaoru only wished her parents were a little more understanding.
It seemed so easy, but when Kaoru thought of it more. Alright, so she had a season left before she was officially bound to him, and what was she to do? Elope with a random guy? Runaway? Those were just..impossible solutions.
Dammit. Maybe it is time for her to think about how to cope with the marriage rather than escape it.
* * * * * *
He really missed the free, light hearted days he was forced to abandoned ever since he was introduced to that stupid wench. It wasn't as easy as it was before, to go and enjoy in the teahouses without being cautious of the people around.
Kenshin's sighed. His father not only was back in town, he also told all his friends and acquaintances to report to him if ever they see his son in any tea houses. "Just to let you get used to your moral life after marriage." His father would say. Bullshit! What moral ways? Kenshin didn't care. he didn't.
Kenshin threw the thin paper book on the low wooden desk with frustration. His mind was wandering away from the text and to all the things he could be doing right now. Unable to take more, he decided; he wasn't going to let his father suppress him like that, no he couldn't let his father do it.
He went to the door of his study room and put on his shoes, before looking around cautiously to make sure no one was around. He made his way to the open area at the back yard where the carriages were parked.
Suddenly, a low voice called from behind. "Where do you think you're going, my boy?" He spun and to his utmost horror and disappointment, his father was there, standing at the side of the porch.
Frantically, Kenshin searched for an excuse, not wanted his father to berate him again. "I..I.." He drifted away, not able to think of a good excuse, he had completely surrendered and walked back to the house, with all this hopes in having just a more normal night down town was shattered.
"Wait! Don't you go yet!" his father's voice roared across the blackness of the night. "Just what did you think you were doing?!"
Kenshin sighed, and he thought he could get away with it.. "Alright! Alright! I'm going back in!" He evaded this fathers question with annoyance. The fact that his initial plans were shattered was already bad enough, and now his father had to come and rub it in with his scolding? Gosh.
But his father, not understanding him at all, only took it as disrespect. "How dare you talk too me like this!" He cried angrily, but the quickly softened down. He walked to his son and put a hand on his shoulder. "My son, I know it might be tough for you to try to adapt yourself to the fact that you are to have a wife. But is life. You can't expect everything to be bent according to your will." He explained carefully, hoping Kenshin would understand.
Really, the boy was too idealistic to believe everything could work out as he wanted them to.
Kenshin took a deep breath, as if forcing himself to accept what his father said. "But if you force me into a marriage I do not agree upon, then you're just telling me to hate the girl, you're just taking away my whole life's happiness." He said with helpless anger.
"Ah, but you see, happiness does not rest on marriage." His father replied casually, "I'm not expecting you to romantically fall in love with your little wife, I'm just making sure when you come to power you have enough ties and relationships behind to reinforce your status."
Kenshin did know what to say, and just sulked quietly whilst his father carried on with the lecture.
"A promise was made between us, we can't break it just because you don't like it. Besides, so far, the Kamiyas have no objections to this marriage, how can we break it over such minute reasons?" His father tried to instill in Kenshin's mind that it would cause great damage to their reputation if they take promises so lightly. Besides, the match was a really good one, and Lord Himura wasn't going to let this chance slip by just because of his son's stupidity.
Kenshin only scoffed at his father's attempt. "Yeah, and you would give up your son just like that for power. Shows how much you love me" He added sarcastically.
The older man shrugged off his son's rude behavior. "What you make out of the marriage is something that depends on you and only. If you continuously reject the fact and push everything onto the girl, then I can tell you, even if I found you the world's prettiest girl you still won't be satisfied, will you?"
He sighed but didn't let Kenshin speak. "Your mother tells me Kaoru is a very sweet, loveable girl, even she doesn't seem to have any objections to this, so can't you at least put a little effort in?"
She doesn't object? Kenshin thought to himself. Damn, and he was about to fall for her fallacious lies about hating him. And yes, he admit it, he admits that he is deliberately hating his bride to be. But so what? Kenshin affirmed that he was definitely not going to let anyone force him to do something he did not like.
A gust of wind blew across the cooling night.
* * * * * *
Kenshin was restless, as he stared blankly at the grayish, dull, ceiling. His mind was busy, scheming on how to get the girl to collaborate with him. Now his father mentioned it, he realized, all the way a long he had only tried to persuade his parents to break the betrothal when innately he knew there was no way they were going to listen to him. Ah, but if talking to them won't work, then why had he not thought of getting Kaoru to collaborate?
Because the girl is a stupid wench who is deeply in love with you.
Dammit, Kenshin cursed under his breath as he recalled the time she had coldly rejected him when he had asked very nicely for her consider about breaking the marriage.
He rolled around to the other side of his futon thinking hard what to do.
Oh, why did she have to like him? Why couldn't she just.. Wait.. he got it! So she didn't want to break the betrothal because she liked him. Alright, so what if he.gave her what she wanted? Would she let him out of this marriage then? Afterall, didn't she want to marry him just for those reasons? For all the things they would do as man and wife?
Right! Kenshin smiled to himself as he snuggled under the sheets happily. Why hadn't he thought of this before?! HE could just seduce the girl, give her all she ever pined for, fulfill her fantasies and other things she wanted form the marriage, and that way, she wouldn't have the need to marry him, and he could be a free man once again!
Kenshin felt as if a rock was pulled out of his heart, as he thought of implementing his plan. For the first time, he actually anticipated for the next meeting with the girl, because he could once again use his brilliant seducing skills that had probably started to rust after weeks of confinement in the house.
He closed his eyes as the a set of images of his next meeting with the girl rolled across his mind like a film. What was it going to be like? He smiled passively as he drifted off into sleep.
NEXT TIME: Operation Seduce-Kaoru! Who thinks he'll succeed?! Who thinks he'll get kicked in the ass?!
A/N: I was doddling the other day, and I was supposed to draw this computer- image-like picture of Kaoru..something like what I think the heien Kaoru would look like.but I ended up getting rid of her bangs.changing the shape of her eyes..nose.face? damn. It looks more like Kaoru's sister now. Wait. Kaoru doesn't have a sister does she? Alright it doesn't look like anyone =( it's an imaginary girl I drew!
If you'd like to take a look, the link is here. But please don't laugh .
http:// www. geocities.com/ issa_babee/ home1. JPG [remove the spaces]
The Tale of A Proper Marriage : Chapter 7
by white seraph
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As soon as the two were in the carriage, Kenshin immediately changed into a completely different person. Pushing Kaoru roughly to the back of the sear he warned her dangerously. "Don't you even think you can buy me with those little things you do." He hissed fiercely, still ignorantly assuming she had really made those food in the will to win his heart. "Listen carefully wench, even if we do get married, don't you even think about having a good life. In fact I'll make your life a living hell, you'll only be my sex toy, and if I get bored of you, which I expect won't be long, I'll shelve you in the darkest corners of the house."
However, too his fury, none of his words were as effective as he had expected. Kaoru just shrugged casually, as if it wasn't even remotely a threat. "Well I guess it doesn't matter how I think, since what ever I say you will distort it to fit them into your affirmed statement that I like you, which I know is completely untrue."
Kenshin gave her a confused look, obviously understanding nothing of what she said.
And so, Kaoru continued, though she highly doubted this time would be any different from the several number of other times before where she tried to explain to him that she didn't like him before. "Oh, and I just wanted to tell you, the reason why the rice was so pungent is because I added an excessive amount of wasabi in it." She giggled evilly "And that face, when you were forced to eat them, was priceless."
This was not possible! How could it be? She didn't like him? she didn't like him? Kenshin just stared at his with disbelief, not knowing whether to be relieved or disappointed. Relieved that he still had a chance to extricate himself from the horrible plans his parents tied him to, and disappointed because it was the first time he met a girl who was not enchanted by his charm.
But innately he still doubted her words. How could he not? Okay, maybe she was falling in love with him... before they got tangled into a marriage. But after being introduced she started to get bored?... Kenshin tried to jump here and there to draw a conclusion that would satisfy his pride.
Finally finding his voice, he resumed back to his normal arrogant self. "Well then I'd make sure if we do get married that your hands be chopped off so I won't ever have to taste your cooking every again." He said harshly, knowing he was in an advantageous position in the marriage; at least he was the one to make decisions, at least he was to be the one with authority.
Kaoru bit her lip, trying hard to find a good rebuttal, "I don't care!" She cried "And you know why?" She didn't wait for him to answer "Because I KNOW I can get myself out of this stupid marriage!" Kaoru said confidently.
Kenshin snorted skeptically and decided to ignore the girl. The conversation was getting boring.no, the conversation was starting to hurt his pride. He silently admitted to himself. He wasn't going to let the girl's lies sway him, no he wasn't. Kenshin assured himself that they were all but lies, and there was no point in arguing with a girl as stupid and ignorant as her.
* * * * *
Kaoru sat on the wooden porch out side of her house, fanning herself with a bamboo framed, under the stifling hot, sticky weather, she almost felt sick, and with her friend, reminding her of her predicament wasn't making her mood any better. She hadn't seen her friend for quite a while; ever since she was introduced to her fiancé, to be precise. They all busied her with visits and things that she rarely had the time for her own personal life that she was so used to before. The fact that the lad was a complete jerk did not make the situation much better either.
"So what happened?" Tae asked, bringing Kaoru back. She was just being told of Kaoru's little prank with the lunch she made the other day, and was anticipating for other half of the story. She had inwardly admitted to herself that she was green with envy over her friend, because she got to see the famous lad nearly everyday, but it also amused her immensely how repellent Kaoru was and how much she hated her fiancé, and ironically, how he thought she was deeply in love with him.
"anyway, anyway, listen!" Kaoru tugged her friend's sleeve to get her attention back. "And so, he had to escort me back home. And you know what?! He said if he ever married me, he'd .he'd.." Kaoru couldn't bring herself to say the disgraceful part of his speech and so decided to skip that part "He said he'd have me shelved and locked up in one of the rooms forever! Can you believe it? God I've never met such a cruel, selfish bastard like him!" Kaoru was fuming as she recalled their last conversation.
But Tae only chuckled, finding the story the more amusing as Kaoru went on, they were so cute! flirting in such a strange way. "Ah, I didn't get his joke about the shelves." Tae wanted Kaoru to further explain what she meant by being locked in the rooms.
"What?" Kaoru blinked, "it's NOT a joke! He really meant it! Oh my, you should have seen his expression, it was as if he was about to chop me into pieces!" Kaoru exclaimed, how could she mistake it as a JOKE? Gosh!
"Oh? Oops" Tae smiled sheepishly, but turned serious, which was quite a rare sight. "But if he is serious, then." She sighed "Kaoru, you know, it's not that good of an idea to provoke the man who you know you will be tied to for the rest of your life." Tae was now truly concerned, because it seemed that Kaoru was going a bit too far, and it may well cost her, her own happiness for the rest of her life.
Kaoru but her fan down, as a rare gust of wind scrapped across her face. "Nah" She said very casually "Don't you worry. I'll get myself out of the marriage!"
"Yes, I know you're trying very hard. "Tae agreed "Your mere effort cannot preclude the marriage from coming. I mean what if, and I mean do mean, what if, you two Do get married? You never know what lies ahead for you. and by provoking him like you are, now, I don't think it will help him at least try to make himself a better husband for you. " She drifted off, not knowing what to say next. Yet that already was enough for her friend to understand.
Kaoru bit her lip and remained quiet, for she couldn't agree anymore on her words, she was right, and Kaoru knew it. Kaoru had always rested everything on the hope that she will, one day, manage to escape the marriage. She had no hope with her parents. Whatever went into their ears, whatever came out. Whenever she protested the marriage, which was the only thing she did whenever they were around, they would just brush it off lightly, as if it were nothing to concern about. God, and Kaoru only wished her parents were a little more understanding.
It seemed so easy, but when Kaoru thought of it more. Alright, so she had a season left before she was officially bound to him, and what was she to do? Elope with a random guy? Runaway? Those were just..impossible solutions.
Dammit. Maybe it is time for her to think about how to cope with the marriage rather than escape it.
* * * * * *
He really missed the free, light hearted days he was forced to abandoned ever since he was introduced to that stupid wench. It wasn't as easy as it was before, to go and enjoy in the teahouses without being cautious of the people around.
Kenshin's sighed. His father not only was back in town, he also told all his friends and acquaintances to report to him if ever they see his son in any tea houses. "Just to let you get used to your moral life after marriage." His father would say. Bullshit! What moral ways? Kenshin didn't care. he didn't.
Kenshin threw the thin paper book on the low wooden desk with frustration. His mind was wandering away from the text and to all the things he could be doing right now. Unable to take more, he decided; he wasn't going to let his father suppress him like that, no he couldn't let his father do it.
He went to the door of his study room and put on his shoes, before looking around cautiously to make sure no one was around. He made his way to the open area at the back yard where the carriages were parked.
Suddenly, a low voice called from behind. "Where do you think you're going, my boy?" He spun and to his utmost horror and disappointment, his father was there, standing at the side of the porch.
Frantically, Kenshin searched for an excuse, not wanted his father to berate him again. "I..I.." He drifted away, not able to think of a good excuse, he had completely surrendered and walked back to the house, with all this hopes in having just a more normal night down town was shattered.
"Wait! Don't you go yet!" his father's voice roared across the blackness of the night. "Just what did you think you were doing?!"
Kenshin sighed, and he thought he could get away with it.. "Alright! Alright! I'm going back in!" He evaded this fathers question with annoyance. The fact that his initial plans were shattered was already bad enough, and now his father had to come and rub it in with his scolding? Gosh.
But his father, not understanding him at all, only took it as disrespect. "How dare you talk too me like this!" He cried angrily, but the quickly softened down. He walked to his son and put a hand on his shoulder. "My son, I know it might be tough for you to try to adapt yourself to the fact that you are to have a wife. But is life. You can't expect everything to be bent according to your will." He explained carefully, hoping Kenshin would understand.
Really, the boy was too idealistic to believe everything could work out as he wanted them to.
Kenshin took a deep breath, as if forcing himself to accept what his father said. "But if you force me into a marriage I do not agree upon, then you're just telling me to hate the girl, you're just taking away my whole life's happiness." He said with helpless anger.
"Ah, but you see, happiness does not rest on marriage." His father replied casually, "I'm not expecting you to romantically fall in love with your little wife, I'm just making sure when you come to power you have enough ties and relationships behind to reinforce your status."
Kenshin did know what to say, and just sulked quietly whilst his father carried on with the lecture.
"A promise was made between us, we can't break it just because you don't like it. Besides, so far, the Kamiyas have no objections to this marriage, how can we break it over such minute reasons?" His father tried to instill in Kenshin's mind that it would cause great damage to their reputation if they take promises so lightly. Besides, the match was a really good one, and Lord Himura wasn't going to let this chance slip by just because of his son's stupidity.
Kenshin only scoffed at his father's attempt. "Yeah, and you would give up your son just like that for power. Shows how much you love me" He added sarcastically.
The older man shrugged off his son's rude behavior. "What you make out of the marriage is something that depends on you and only. If you continuously reject the fact and push everything onto the girl, then I can tell you, even if I found you the world's prettiest girl you still won't be satisfied, will you?"
He sighed but didn't let Kenshin speak. "Your mother tells me Kaoru is a very sweet, loveable girl, even she doesn't seem to have any objections to this, so can't you at least put a little effort in?"
She doesn't object? Kenshin thought to himself. Damn, and he was about to fall for her fallacious lies about hating him. And yes, he admit it, he admits that he is deliberately hating his bride to be. But so what? Kenshin affirmed that he was definitely not going to let anyone force him to do something he did not like.
A gust of wind blew across the cooling night.
* * * * * *
Kenshin was restless, as he stared blankly at the grayish, dull, ceiling. His mind was busy, scheming on how to get the girl to collaborate with him. Now his father mentioned it, he realized, all the way a long he had only tried to persuade his parents to break the betrothal when innately he knew there was no way they were going to listen to him. Ah, but if talking to them won't work, then why had he not thought of getting Kaoru to collaborate?
Because the girl is a stupid wench who is deeply in love with you.
Dammit, Kenshin cursed under his breath as he recalled the time she had coldly rejected him when he had asked very nicely for her consider about breaking the marriage.
He rolled around to the other side of his futon thinking hard what to do.
Oh, why did she have to like him? Why couldn't she just.. Wait.. he got it! So she didn't want to break the betrothal because she liked him. Alright, so what if he.gave her what she wanted? Would she let him out of this marriage then? Afterall, didn't she want to marry him just for those reasons? For all the things they would do as man and wife?
Right! Kenshin smiled to himself as he snuggled under the sheets happily. Why hadn't he thought of this before?! HE could just seduce the girl, give her all she ever pined for, fulfill her fantasies and other things she wanted form the marriage, and that way, she wouldn't have the need to marry him, and he could be a free man once again!
Kenshin felt as if a rock was pulled out of his heart, as he thought of implementing his plan. For the first time, he actually anticipated for the next meeting with the girl, because he could once again use his brilliant seducing skills that had probably started to rust after weeks of confinement in the house.
He closed his eyes as the a set of images of his next meeting with the girl rolled across his mind like a film. What was it going to be like? He smiled passively as he drifted off into sleep.
NEXT TIME: Operation Seduce-Kaoru! Who thinks he'll succeed?! Who thinks he'll get kicked in the ass?!
A/N: I was doddling the other day, and I was supposed to draw this computer- image-like picture of Kaoru..something like what I think the heien Kaoru would look like.but I ended up getting rid of her bangs.changing the shape of her eyes..nose.face? damn. It looks more like Kaoru's sister now. Wait. Kaoru doesn't have a sister does she? Alright it doesn't look like anyone =( it's an imaginary girl I drew!
If you'd like to take a look, the link is here. But please don't laugh .
http:// www. geocities.com/ issa_babee/ home1. JPG [remove the spaces]
