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The Tale of A Proper Marriage : Chapter 9
by white seraph
**************************************************
The following week was a rather quiet one. Kaoru didn't get to see his fiancé again for the rest of the week. Not that she wanted to anyway. The last time they met was a traumatizing experience for her, and she had silently berated herself the whole week for allowing him to intimidate her like that. Even if he did look as if he was to kill her at any moment, even if it did look as if he was play a nasty prank on her, she shouldn't have let herself down by whimpering like a weakling! Now he'd only think she is someone he could toy with, some weak girl who don't' know how to fight back.
Kaoru sighed as she sank to the low table, and allowed the sunshine to spill onto her face. Suddenly, a voice Kaoru recognized as her mothers, came from an approaching distance.
"Kaoru, don't you think your room is a bit too old?" Her mother said, pointing at the flaking skin of the dry wood. "Maybe we should get your room renewed or something."
"Really?!" Kaoru cried with glee. She was quite bored of her room, which of course was quite believable, considering the fact that she had seen the same walls and ceilings everyday since she was a toddler. Renewing the room meant a change.
"Yes, I called for the carpenters yesterday, they'll be coming this afternoon" Lady Kamiya confirmed her daughter. "They might take couple of weeks or more, because I told them I want my daughter's room like brand new."
"Oh wow! Mother you're the best!" Kaoru squealed enthusiastically, she was truly happy; indeed she was rather ignorant about her mother's true intentions.
Well, at least until the carpenters came marching in like soldiers to the guest rooms and started unpacking all their food and supplies, as if they were to stay here for quite a while. What's going on? She thought frantically, as she saws them one by one exiting the rooms with their tools. Wasn't she the one who was supposed to stay in the guest rooms tonight? Wait..if they're staying in there, then..where would she sleep.?!
"Mother!" She called, running down the hallway to her parent's room like a little girl "Mother! Why are the-" She slammed the door wide open, but was immediately greeted by a pile of her own attires.
"What's all this?" Kaoru jerked back and let the pile fall disgracefully onto the fall, into a messy hill of tangled clothes.
Her mother very gently picked them up and dusted the dirt off. "This, my dear, is for you to take to the Himuras this afternoon."
Kaoru stared at her mother with confusion she didn't even want to know what was to come out of her mouth next. No, no, no and no! She couldn't possibly.
"You'll be staying at your fiancé's until your room is renewed." The words came out before Kaoru could finish her line of thoughts, confirming her latest nightmare.
".what?" She choked. "how..how can you do this to me?!" her voice with despair and betrayal. "Mother!!!" She whined, clutching onto the woman's sleeve. "I'd rather not have my room renewed then!"
and then the sound of smashing walls echoed across the whole house.
* * * * * *
Right on the other side of town, someone else seemed enjoying away. Kenshin, with his friend, [someone I've not thought of a name yet] found a rather small, secluded tea house just out of the town centre. It was new, and not many people heard of it, so Kenshin, knowing the probability of his father's friends coming here was quite small, was, for the first time in a long time, really relaxing and enjoying himself in teahouse.
His friend handed him the jar of wine "Hey, the wine is good, wonder if the women are just as good here." He winked playfully.
Kenshin grabbed the white flask, but was cautious of the amount he was drinking, knowing his mother would be suspicious if he came home with a face as red as cherry. He looked around the room. For an hour as such, this teahouse should be quite popular for half the room to be full." Men were chatting away with the women.
Suddenly, at the sight, Kenshin felt rather deprived of something. Taping his fingers impatiently on the wooden table, he was anticipating for the women they had called for. "Where are they?!" He hissed, feeling the last of his patience wearing away fast. It was true and obvious that he was a man of patience.
"Oh, are you that deprived of women lately?" His friend slapped his back friendlily and filled his cup with more wine. It was understandable why kenshin would be so impatient, If he himself put into the same position as kenshin, he, too would be like this. Besides, this was a new teahouse, and there is bound to more geishas coming around.
And it's always exciting to see new faces isn't it?
Thankfully, he no longer had to very sadly talk to himself in the head. A small group a geisha finally came to them. Giggling shyly, ladies had their faces painted white with cherry red lip, and elaborated hair, just like the small, delicate display dolls.
One by one, as if on cue, the came and sat next to the two men. "So sorry we were late." One with a cherry red kimono bowed apologetically, whilst another refilled their wine cups.
Houten [yeah I just made him up lol] put an arm around the prettier geisha. or the one with prettier makeup. "Now, now why were you late? Am I too insignificant?" He pouted like a little boy."
She very politely laughed behind the sleeve of her kimono. "Why no! how can you say that!? We were late because we had to make sure we choose the best kimono and make up artist so we be at our best when we serve you" She told him in a fake, high pitched voice that was obviously spoken with, in vain.
Houten smiled arrogantly, the women's attention and sweet talks always made him feel egoistically superior, though he never really put much thought into the issue weather they were fake or not. As long as he pays them, and they have him enjoy the evening, then it is all well. That was his philosophy.
However, to his utter disappointment, immediately after he had indulged himself to have some personal opinions and thoughts, all the women had flocked to the other side of the table. The sight infuriated him. Flocking around Kenshin, the geishas were like hens who finally found their favorite food. It was always like that! Whichever teahouse he went to, whenever he was with Kenshin, they were always like that! How stupid of him to believe that this time would be an exception.
Yet it wasn't unexpected. He had to admit, Kenshin, with his extraordinary red hair, and strange, mysterious amber eyes, was quite a looker. During the past few weeks when Kenshin's frequent visits to the tea houses suddenly ended, many geishas had constantly asked, again and again, where their favorite customer was. At this, he felt a tinge of jealousy over his friend, but he quickly shook it off.
He knew it wasn't the money they were attracted to, for Kenshin was never the elaborated kind who would buy anything extravagant or not to buy the women's attention. Or maybe he didn't need to buy it since he naturally monopolized them anyway.
He was torn away from his thoughts as the conversation at the side of the table grew louder and louder, and there he sat, like an idiot watching the women he hired, serving his friend.
"Oh my! So you're THE Himura?" The red cladded geisha before was totally head over heels with the red head. The more popular geishas in her house often mentioned his name when they had weekly dinners together, and she had always wondered what their most favored customer was like. And now that she had finally met him, she realized why her other sisters were always talking about this certain customer. He was indeed a heartthrob.
Kenshin however gave them a perplexed look. "The? I see I am talked about."
But before she could reply, another woman stole Kenshin's attention. "Oh! What have you been up to lately?! I've missed seeing you in the Takaguchi Teahouse!" She said flirtatiously, though Kenshin had abosultely no memory whatsoever of this particular geisha. Not that he remembered many anyway; they were all the same, with the similar white face, red lips, and fake voice.
It was rather strange that he felt critical about these women, but it didn't matter, maybe it was just the fact that this new teahouse was much smaller and quieter than the one he used to go to and he wasn't quite used to the surrounding yet. His eyes met the eyes of the geisha who looked at him anticipating for his answer.
"I..uh" He sighed as an image of the ever-so-annoying fiancé of his popped up in his mind. "I'm just busy trying to get myself acquainted with my fiancé" He lied, not wanting to let them know of his father's tight confinement or the loathe he had for the girl.
"What?! You have to marry?" The geisha who he was talking to gasped with disappointment, as if his answer had just shattered any of her fantasies. "To who?!" She asked possessively. Damn whoever the girl is! And she thought , with her beauty and experience, given enough time, she could actually win the heartthrob. And now? He had to marry?! This is unbelievable!
Kenshin didn't get to reply, for Houten had decided he had enough of being an audience, only hearing the last part of the conversation, he decided to jump in to the conversation. Not that he did it only to save some pride, but he was, in fact quite interested on the topic. "Fiancé? Oh yeah, kenshin you're going to marry soon eh? I've never seen your bride, tell me, is she beautiful? Or is she a plain girl with warts?"
Warts? No Plain? No-I mean yes. Beautiful? Kenshin thought it best to ignore the last question for now. After a short debate on what to answer, he finally spoke up. "That Kamiya girl? She's a stupid, ugly girl who looks like a man." He decided that would be the answer, thinking it would force any positive thoughts of the girl out of his system.
"Really?" Houten raised an eyebrow skeptically. "I'd quite like to meet the girl, knowing she'd someday be your official wife." He only suggested in a joking way.
However, unbeknownst to him, the last comment actually had quite an effect on Kenshin. He suddenly felt his heart clench fiercely with a sense of possessiveness. Kaoru was as ignorant and pure as a sheet of snow white paper. Her voice would be for no one, but him to hear, her hand would be for no one, but him to hold, her body would be for no one, but him to touch. And she was all his, every single bit of her was no one, but his. Or at least will be.
Somehow, the mere thought of Houten wrapping his arm around Kaoru, like he was doing to the women now sickened him.. He quickly shook his head briefly, not allowing his thoughts so wander off to something he hated to think about. Of course he wouldn't like anyone to touch Kaoru. She was his bride to be! For the sake of reputation and sanctuary of marriage, of course he wouldn't like his little wife to be shared amongst other people! He quickly maneuvered his train of thoughts to another direction. A direction he liked.
He tried to resume back to reality and take part in the conversation. Yet he found it hard to catch up with the effusive, eloquent voices speaking of the most irrelevant and abundant topics ever. He sighed, imagining what things Kaoru would say if she was around. He smiled passively at the thought of Kaoru sweet talking to him, Kenshin found it rather amusing and interesting, but innately, he knew, she would never fake a voice and pretend to be a nightingale.
What would she do? Probably criticize how bad the wine is, or maybe look around to see if any handsome young men are around for her to stare at? He thought arrogantly as he recalled their first encounter.
"Why, you are very clever indeed!" He over heard one of the women comment on Houten's lame jokes. Kaoru would never be as submissive as to lie to herself and everyone like that geisha, she'd probably tell Houten face to face that it would be wise to stop acting like a fool.
Kenshin was pulled away from train of thoughts when the geisha with the red kimono pulled him into an embrace, and mumbled something like a disgracefully drunk woman. Kenshin peeled her arms off his waist. Right, and Kaoru would never do anything as such- His thoughts were once again interrupted, this time, by Houten poured wine into his cup. "Come on kenshin! Didn't you say you were going to enjoy yourself today?!"
* * * * * *
Kaoru slumbered in the guest room Lady Himura had personally given to her. Her mother had just left, after a long, long talk behind the doors with the hostess. And all she said to her before she left was "Enjoy your stay, dear!" How could she do such a thing? Let her daughter into the lion's den! Kaoru was incredibly mad at her mother, and it did not make her day any better when Lady Himura came in and told her that her son will be back soon so they can have dinner together.
Well, at least they hoped they could have dinner when Kenshin comes back. But when there still wasn't a sight of him well over sunset, both his parents were rather anxious. They knew Kenshin was out with a mutual acquaintance, but what caused him to be so late? Unless he was.. But no, they can't possibly let Kaoru know! What a stupid boy, and they had warned him earlier that he had to return on time!
* * * * * * Finally, after several hours of waiting, Kenshin returned, drunk and hazed, with a face as red as cherry, talking nonsense that made little sense. Insisting he was totally fine, Kenshin ignored the servant's good advices to go straight to bed. Little was he aware that he was so out of place that he needed two servants to help him walk to the dining room, where his parents were, with his fiancé.
As of expected, they were extremely furious with their son, well.at least his father was; not only was he late, but also drunk? What would Kaoru think?! That she is to marry a heavy drinker? An alcohol addict?
"Kenshin! What on earth happened!" His mother asked immediately, as she toward the door and helped her son.
His father, however cared little of Kenshin's welfare presently, and instead, started roaring at him in that low, loud voice of his. "Who do you think you are?! Barging in like an ill mannered young lad! Have you not the decency to show any respect to your parents? Or to Kaoru?
However, their fury and anger was deaf to Kenshin's ear. Ignoring all the blurry things around and the loud but incoherent voices of broken sentences, he concentrated on the nice, subtle lavender smell that had quite unnoticeably, floated under his nose. Sniffing, he tried to sense the source of it. Looking around, he saw a certain young girl, sitting at the dining table, with eyes wide open.
For some unknown reason, he felt the sudden urge to approach the girl. Pulling off, away from the grip of someone he was unaware of, Kenshin walked as stably as he could to her, and allowed himself to slumber into her.
The smell grew stronger, and he let himself inhale more of the unknown substance, before closing his eyes shut and fall unconscious.
And the last thing he thought of was the soft pink fabric of the girl's kimono.
The Tale of A Proper Marriage : Chapter 9
by white seraph
**************************************************
The following week was a rather quiet one. Kaoru didn't get to see his fiancé again for the rest of the week. Not that she wanted to anyway. The last time they met was a traumatizing experience for her, and she had silently berated herself the whole week for allowing him to intimidate her like that. Even if he did look as if he was to kill her at any moment, even if it did look as if he was play a nasty prank on her, she shouldn't have let herself down by whimpering like a weakling! Now he'd only think she is someone he could toy with, some weak girl who don't' know how to fight back.
Kaoru sighed as she sank to the low table, and allowed the sunshine to spill onto her face. Suddenly, a voice Kaoru recognized as her mothers, came from an approaching distance.
"Kaoru, don't you think your room is a bit too old?" Her mother said, pointing at the flaking skin of the dry wood. "Maybe we should get your room renewed or something."
"Really?!" Kaoru cried with glee. She was quite bored of her room, which of course was quite believable, considering the fact that she had seen the same walls and ceilings everyday since she was a toddler. Renewing the room meant a change.
"Yes, I called for the carpenters yesterday, they'll be coming this afternoon" Lady Kamiya confirmed her daughter. "They might take couple of weeks or more, because I told them I want my daughter's room like brand new."
"Oh wow! Mother you're the best!" Kaoru squealed enthusiastically, she was truly happy; indeed she was rather ignorant about her mother's true intentions.
Well, at least until the carpenters came marching in like soldiers to the guest rooms and started unpacking all their food and supplies, as if they were to stay here for quite a while. What's going on? She thought frantically, as she saws them one by one exiting the rooms with their tools. Wasn't she the one who was supposed to stay in the guest rooms tonight? Wait..if they're staying in there, then..where would she sleep.?!
"Mother!" She called, running down the hallway to her parent's room like a little girl "Mother! Why are the-" She slammed the door wide open, but was immediately greeted by a pile of her own attires.
"What's all this?" Kaoru jerked back and let the pile fall disgracefully onto the fall, into a messy hill of tangled clothes.
Her mother very gently picked them up and dusted the dirt off. "This, my dear, is for you to take to the Himuras this afternoon."
Kaoru stared at her mother with confusion she didn't even want to know what was to come out of her mouth next. No, no, no and no! She couldn't possibly.
"You'll be staying at your fiancé's until your room is renewed." The words came out before Kaoru could finish her line of thoughts, confirming her latest nightmare.
".what?" She choked. "how..how can you do this to me?!" her voice with despair and betrayal. "Mother!!!" She whined, clutching onto the woman's sleeve. "I'd rather not have my room renewed then!"
and then the sound of smashing walls echoed across the whole house.
* * * * * *
Right on the other side of town, someone else seemed enjoying away. Kenshin, with his friend, [someone I've not thought of a name yet] found a rather small, secluded tea house just out of the town centre. It was new, and not many people heard of it, so Kenshin, knowing the probability of his father's friends coming here was quite small, was, for the first time in a long time, really relaxing and enjoying himself in teahouse.
His friend handed him the jar of wine "Hey, the wine is good, wonder if the women are just as good here." He winked playfully.
Kenshin grabbed the white flask, but was cautious of the amount he was drinking, knowing his mother would be suspicious if he came home with a face as red as cherry. He looked around the room. For an hour as such, this teahouse should be quite popular for half the room to be full." Men were chatting away with the women.
Suddenly, at the sight, Kenshin felt rather deprived of something. Taping his fingers impatiently on the wooden table, he was anticipating for the women they had called for. "Where are they?!" He hissed, feeling the last of his patience wearing away fast. It was true and obvious that he was a man of patience.
"Oh, are you that deprived of women lately?" His friend slapped his back friendlily and filled his cup with more wine. It was understandable why kenshin would be so impatient, If he himself put into the same position as kenshin, he, too would be like this. Besides, this was a new teahouse, and there is bound to more geishas coming around.
And it's always exciting to see new faces isn't it?
Thankfully, he no longer had to very sadly talk to himself in the head. A small group a geisha finally came to them. Giggling shyly, ladies had their faces painted white with cherry red lip, and elaborated hair, just like the small, delicate display dolls.
One by one, as if on cue, the came and sat next to the two men. "So sorry we were late." One with a cherry red kimono bowed apologetically, whilst another refilled their wine cups.
Houten [yeah I just made him up lol] put an arm around the prettier geisha. or the one with prettier makeup. "Now, now why were you late? Am I too insignificant?" He pouted like a little boy."
She very politely laughed behind the sleeve of her kimono. "Why no! how can you say that!? We were late because we had to make sure we choose the best kimono and make up artist so we be at our best when we serve you" She told him in a fake, high pitched voice that was obviously spoken with, in vain.
Houten smiled arrogantly, the women's attention and sweet talks always made him feel egoistically superior, though he never really put much thought into the issue weather they were fake or not. As long as he pays them, and they have him enjoy the evening, then it is all well. That was his philosophy.
However, to his utter disappointment, immediately after he had indulged himself to have some personal opinions and thoughts, all the women had flocked to the other side of the table. The sight infuriated him. Flocking around Kenshin, the geishas were like hens who finally found their favorite food. It was always like that! Whichever teahouse he went to, whenever he was with Kenshin, they were always like that! How stupid of him to believe that this time would be an exception.
Yet it wasn't unexpected. He had to admit, Kenshin, with his extraordinary red hair, and strange, mysterious amber eyes, was quite a looker. During the past few weeks when Kenshin's frequent visits to the tea houses suddenly ended, many geishas had constantly asked, again and again, where their favorite customer was. At this, he felt a tinge of jealousy over his friend, but he quickly shook it off.
He knew it wasn't the money they were attracted to, for Kenshin was never the elaborated kind who would buy anything extravagant or not to buy the women's attention. Or maybe he didn't need to buy it since he naturally monopolized them anyway.
He was torn away from his thoughts as the conversation at the side of the table grew louder and louder, and there he sat, like an idiot watching the women he hired, serving his friend.
"Oh my! So you're THE Himura?" The red cladded geisha before was totally head over heels with the red head. The more popular geishas in her house often mentioned his name when they had weekly dinners together, and she had always wondered what their most favored customer was like. And now that she had finally met him, she realized why her other sisters were always talking about this certain customer. He was indeed a heartthrob.
Kenshin however gave them a perplexed look. "The? I see I am talked about."
But before she could reply, another woman stole Kenshin's attention. "Oh! What have you been up to lately?! I've missed seeing you in the Takaguchi Teahouse!" She said flirtatiously, though Kenshin had abosultely no memory whatsoever of this particular geisha. Not that he remembered many anyway; they were all the same, with the similar white face, red lips, and fake voice.
It was rather strange that he felt critical about these women, but it didn't matter, maybe it was just the fact that this new teahouse was much smaller and quieter than the one he used to go to and he wasn't quite used to the surrounding yet. His eyes met the eyes of the geisha who looked at him anticipating for his answer.
"I..uh" He sighed as an image of the ever-so-annoying fiancé of his popped up in his mind. "I'm just busy trying to get myself acquainted with my fiancé" He lied, not wanting to let them know of his father's tight confinement or the loathe he had for the girl.
"What?! You have to marry?" The geisha who he was talking to gasped with disappointment, as if his answer had just shattered any of her fantasies. "To who?!" She asked possessively. Damn whoever the girl is! And she thought , with her beauty and experience, given enough time, she could actually win the heartthrob. And now? He had to marry?! This is unbelievable!
Kenshin didn't get to reply, for Houten had decided he had enough of being an audience, only hearing the last part of the conversation, he decided to jump in to the conversation. Not that he did it only to save some pride, but he was, in fact quite interested on the topic. "Fiancé? Oh yeah, kenshin you're going to marry soon eh? I've never seen your bride, tell me, is she beautiful? Or is she a plain girl with warts?"
Warts? No Plain? No-I mean yes. Beautiful? Kenshin thought it best to ignore the last question for now. After a short debate on what to answer, he finally spoke up. "That Kamiya girl? She's a stupid, ugly girl who looks like a man." He decided that would be the answer, thinking it would force any positive thoughts of the girl out of his system.
"Really?" Houten raised an eyebrow skeptically. "I'd quite like to meet the girl, knowing she'd someday be your official wife." He only suggested in a joking way.
However, unbeknownst to him, the last comment actually had quite an effect on Kenshin. He suddenly felt his heart clench fiercely with a sense of possessiveness. Kaoru was as ignorant and pure as a sheet of snow white paper. Her voice would be for no one, but him to hear, her hand would be for no one, but him to hold, her body would be for no one, but him to touch. And she was all his, every single bit of her was no one, but his. Or at least will be.
Somehow, the mere thought of Houten wrapping his arm around Kaoru, like he was doing to the women now sickened him.. He quickly shook his head briefly, not allowing his thoughts so wander off to something he hated to think about. Of course he wouldn't like anyone to touch Kaoru. She was his bride to be! For the sake of reputation and sanctuary of marriage, of course he wouldn't like his little wife to be shared amongst other people! He quickly maneuvered his train of thoughts to another direction. A direction he liked.
He tried to resume back to reality and take part in the conversation. Yet he found it hard to catch up with the effusive, eloquent voices speaking of the most irrelevant and abundant topics ever. He sighed, imagining what things Kaoru would say if she was around. He smiled passively at the thought of Kaoru sweet talking to him, Kenshin found it rather amusing and interesting, but innately, he knew, she would never fake a voice and pretend to be a nightingale.
What would she do? Probably criticize how bad the wine is, or maybe look around to see if any handsome young men are around for her to stare at? He thought arrogantly as he recalled their first encounter.
"Why, you are very clever indeed!" He over heard one of the women comment on Houten's lame jokes. Kaoru would never be as submissive as to lie to herself and everyone like that geisha, she'd probably tell Houten face to face that it would be wise to stop acting like a fool.
Kenshin was pulled away from train of thoughts when the geisha with the red kimono pulled him into an embrace, and mumbled something like a disgracefully drunk woman. Kenshin peeled her arms off his waist. Right, and Kaoru would never do anything as such- His thoughts were once again interrupted, this time, by Houten poured wine into his cup. "Come on kenshin! Didn't you say you were going to enjoy yourself today?!"
* * * * * *
Kaoru slumbered in the guest room Lady Himura had personally given to her. Her mother had just left, after a long, long talk behind the doors with the hostess. And all she said to her before she left was "Enjoy your stay, dear!" How could she do such a thing? Let her daughter into the lion's den! Kaoru was incredibly mad at her mother, and it did not make her day any better when Lady Himura came in and told her that her son will be back soon so they can have dinner together.
Well, at least they hoped they could have dinner when Kenshin comes back. But when there still wasn't a sight of him well over sunset, both his parents were rather anxious. They knew Kenshin was out with a mutual acquaintance, but what caused him to be so late? Unless he was.. But no, they can't possibly let Kaoru know! What a stupid boy, and they had warned him earlier that he had to return on time!
* * * * * * Finally, after several hours of waiting, Kenshin returned, drunk and hazed, with a face as red as cherry, talking nonsense that made little sense. Insisting he was totally fine, Kenshin ignored the servant's good advices to go straight to bed. Little was he aware that he was so out of place that he needed two servants to help him walk to the dining room, where his parents were, with his fiancé.
As of expected, they were extremely furious with their son, well.at least his father was; not only was he late, but also drunk? What would Kaoru think?! That she is to marry a heavy drinker? An alcohol addict?
"Kenshin! What on earth happened!" His mother asked immediately, as she toward the door and helped her son.
His father, however cared little of Kenshin's welfare presently, and instead, started roaring at him in that low, loud voice of his. "Who do you think you are?! Barging in like an ill mannered young lad! Have you not the decency to show any respect to your parents? Or to Kaoru?
However, their fury and anger was deaf to Kenshin's ear. Ignoring all the blurry things around and the loud but incoherent voices of broken sentences, he concentrated on the nice, subtle lavender smell that had quite unnoticeably, floated under his nose. Sniffing, he tried to sense the source of it. Looking around, he saw a certain young girl, sitting at the dining table, with eyes wide open.
For some unknown reason, he felt the sudden urge to approach the girl. Pulling off, away from the grip of someone he was unaware of, Kenshin walked as stably as he could to her, and allowed himself to slumber into her.
The smell grew stronger, and he let himself inhale more of the unknown substance, before closing his eyes shut and fall unconscious.
And the last thing he thought of was the soft pink fabric of the girl's kimono.
