Passing of the Forbidden
12/3/2003
Hey!! Thanks for clicking on the Passing of the Forbidden button.
Disclaimer: Do I really need this here? Yes I do. Please don't sue me!
+Review Responses+
Lady Amakakeru: Thanks for the compliment! ^^ And I'll be sure to mention where this story takes place in this chapter! I'm glad you like it so far!
Wistful-Eyes: Well... if there is one thing I hate more than useless flames (I like criticism) that is cliché! I do certainly like Tomoe. (I hate bashings!) And I do realize Kenshin did love Tomoe. I don't plan on making my story predictable... blah... I despise clichés!! I hope you will continue to read! I'm also not sure if it's a true K+K... my story writes itself... (I won't have Akira pop up... I might have him as a minor character... but not as a 'love interest' for Tomoe)
+++++
Beware of OCCness...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=Saturday=
"And they lived, a fairy tale ending." Kaoru sighed as she placed the book beside her.
"That's how all his novels end..." Gina said coming into Kaoru's room. "He's such a romantic... I wonder what his wife feels..."
"He's married?" Kaoru asked as she gathered the laundry and headed downstairs.
"Of course... her name's Tomoe... pretty name... and I heard they have a son." Tokio replied as the three woman headed to the river. Tsutomu and Tsuyoshi ran to play by the water's bed.
It was a beautiful mourning. A light breeze blew through the trees by the river. Here, one could hear the babble of the river, and the croaking of the frogs. One could hear on these cool summer nights the crickets singing. Kaoru smiled. Here there was peace, and tranquility. The one place in China untouched by the war, by the Japanese.
(A/N: I made them Chinese! Hee hee... I needed this setting... I would have made it in Japan... but it didn't fit... Story takes place sometime during WW2... I'm not so familiar with China's history... so I am place no exact date on this story... it is during WW2...)
She wondered how her home looked now. It would be the time her father, a scholar, was greeting his students. That is, if he was still alive.
Her mother would be helping her grandparents on the farm. That is, if they were still alive.
Her brother and sisters would be playing by the lake. That is, if they were still alive.
Her family, they were just a ghost in her memory. Everything was a castle in the sky, before the war. War brought the cruel reality, and Kaoru's saw her world crumble. The only thing standing, holding her was Soujirou.
Perhaps that's why she stayed with him, when in Kenshin Himura's book, the woman ran away from her husband, seeking freedom.
Soujirou was her rock. He was a good listener. He hadn't left her when her world fell apart; he took her away from the country, to the city; Nan king... and all those other bustling cities. He never wanted anything of her...
He only left her when everything was secure... like now. She felt safe here, no one after her life, or her family. There was no one but Soujirou left. He was away, at work... who knows when he would be home.
"KAORU!" Gina's shrill yelled caused Kaoru to stumble. She glanced around her; she was ankle deep in water. She hurried to the shore.
"What were you doing?" Tokio asked amused.
"Lost in thought..." Kaoru blushed as she knelt beside Gina who was furiously scrubbing a shirt.
"Angry?" Tokio glanced at her niece.
"Oh... Lost in thought Aunt Tokio" Gina replied cheekily.
"Gina." Tokio warned. Kaoru grinned.
Gina smiled good-naturally, "It's all in fun Aunt Tokio."
Tokio shook her head. Kaoru knew the look; Tokio disapproved of Gina's forwardness.
***
The laundry was nearly all done. Tsutomu and Tsuyoshi suddenly stopped their laughter as they glanced behind their mother.
A dark shadow fell across Tokio, "Tokio." The low voice said.
All three women glanced back in shock. "Hajime." Tokio whispered as she stood up.
"Uncle Ha-" Gina stopped as her shiny black hair came loose from her bun and swirled around her shoulders. Gina spun around, hair flying in her face, "OKITA!" She cried, knowing it was her husband who had taken the two pins that held her tight bun together.
"OKITA!" Gina cried again, "WHERE are you? I know you have them!" She yelled to the space.
Kaoru glanced around as she stood up. Okita and Hajime were home; where was Soujirou?
"Looking for me?" A soft voice whispered in Kaoru's ear. Kaoru spun around, meeting blue eyes not unlike her own.
"Soujirou!" Kaoru hugged her husband lightly. His never fading grin was reassuring.
She glanced at Hajime and Tokio Saitou, standing with their sons.
Hajime handed each boy a small wooden toy, and straighten to meet his wife's eyes. He silently handed her a box and without another word, walked towards the house, leaving Tokio staring at the box in hand.
"OKITA!" Gina seemed annoyed now. Where was he?
She brushed her hair behind her ears in frustration. Kaoru watched as Okita appeared, wrapped his arms around Gina and kiss her lightly on the check.
Kaoru noticed Tokio frown in censure.
Gina swatted Okita, "Where are my pins?" She demanded.
Okita held up his empty hand, "Nothing here..." He flipped his hand, "Nothing here." He twisted his hand around and opened his fist, "And here..."
Gina's eyes widened as she say two new elegant pins. She looked at her husband, "I can't take them! They're too expensive. Return them Okita!"
"Gina..." Okita forced them into his wife's hands.
Gina sighed as she pulled her hair back up, "All right. You win."
Okita smiled, "But I still have these!" He teased, holding up Gina's old pins.
"OKITA!" Gina dashed after her husband. She came running back to the river, tossing her clothes into the basket, and hurrying after Okita.
Tokio smiled, following the young couple with her boys and laundry in her arms.
It was only Kaoru and Soujirou left by the lake. Kaoru collected her own clothes.
Soujirou watched.
(A/N: Go help her!)
His smile never left his face, as he took a small pouch from his pocket, "For you." He said softly.
Kaoru nodded and thanked him. She did not open the pouch until she had set the clothes down inside.
It was a miniature glossy mirror with a petite comb. Kaoru peered at herself. She hadn't looked in a mirror in a long time.
She was surprised to find herself, old looking. Her eyes had lost come of their sparkle, her smile thinner... even her face seemed to have shrunk.
"Still pretty." Okita announced peering over Kaoru's shoulder.
"Why thank you Okita." Kaoru replied smiling.
"I meant the mirror." Okita said with a clever grin, ducking a blow from his wife.
Kaoru rolled her eyes as she put to mirror away. Okita reminded her of her young brother...
***
"DINNER!" Tokio called to the men.
There was a hullabaloo to the table. Tokio brought on the dishes as Gina and Kaoru continued to labor in the kitchen.
The men always ate first. Tokio was taking care of her sons.
"Kaoru!" Soujirou called.
Kaoru popped her head out, "Yes?"
"Do not put so much salt in the soup next time."
"Of course." Kaoru bowed and retuned to the kitchen.
Gina was astonished, "You're not mad or anything..."
Kaoru sent a sidelong glanced at Gina, "Why should I be mad?"
"He could be a little more respectful to you." Gina pointed out.
"Gina! It is you who should be more respectful." Tokio entered the kitchen regally.
Gina bowed her head, "Aunt Tokio." Kaoru pitied Gina; she was powerless to do anything.
"Gina... you should not... how can I say this... treat your husband with respect... and honor... your actions this afternoon were totally unacceptable..."
Gina's head remained bowed, "Yes Aunt Tokio." She recited.
Tokio continued her rant, "You are to REVERE your husband... don't treat him as you would Kaoru... it's different."
"How so?" Gina questioned tentatively. Kaoru knew she was testing the waters; Tokio could explode and rant on and on.
"HOW SO? GINA! How can you ask such a thing? I can't believe I raised such a child..."
"You didn't raise me..." Gina replied, stilling looking at the ground. Kaoru admired Gina's rebellious nature, but disapproved of Gina's disrespect towards her aunt.
In her fury, Tokio slapped Gina, "In this house, you are to show respect to those who you SHOULD show... and as the youngest woman... you are even to show respect towards Kaoru, UNDERSTAND?"
"Yes Aunt Tokio." Gina's face flared pink but she said it dutifully.
Tokio stormed out. Gina remained looking at the ground as she went to go clear the table.
***
Gina was different that night; she didn't meet anyone's eyes. Okita and Hajime were shooting glances between each other and their wives.
Gina excused herself and went to bed early. Kaoru excused herself and hurried off to find Gina.
As soon as Gina say Kaoru coming she stopped, turned, and bopped her head slightly, "Is there something you want Lady Kaoru?"
"Gina." Kaoru could not see her bubbly friend like this.
"Yes Lady Kaoru?" Gina's voice was pleasant, without distaste.
Kaoru paused, unsure on how to proceed, "Gina-"
"Lady Kaoru, I will be fine. Please excuse me." She closed the door to her room leaving Kaoru standing in front of the door.
She turned as she heard footsteps, "Okita." She bowed her head, also looking at the ground, like she had been taught.
"Is Gina all right?" Okita's voice was full of concern.
Kaoru shook her head, "I don't know." Okita sighed and brushed past her, entering the room.
Soujirou found his wife looking blankly out the window of their bedroom, "Kaoru?"
Kaoru smiled, "I'm fine."
Soujirou nodded, "Then get some sleep."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Okay... more on Kaoru...
Next chapter will be on Kenshin and Tomoe!!
It's a choppy chapter... I might edit this... I'll see how the next chapters fall before I make that decision...
And so... since you've read this story up to here... please review!!
Thank you!!
12/3/2003
Hey!! Thanks for clicking on the Passing of the Forbidden button.
Disclaimer: Do I really need this here? Yes I do. Please don't sue me!
+Review Responses+
Lady Amakakeru: Thanks for the compliment! ^^ And I'll be sure to mention where this story takes place in this chapter! I'm glad you like it so far!
Wistful-Eyes: Well... if there is one thing I hate more than useless flames (I like criticism) that is cliché! I do certainly like Tomoe. (I hate bashings!) And I do realize Kenshin did love Tomoe. I don't plan on making my story predictable... blah... I despise clichés!! I hope you will continue to read! I'm also not sure if it's a true K+K... my story writes itself... (I won't have Akira pop up... I might have him as a minor character... but not as a 'love interest' for Tomoe)
+++++
Beware of OCCness...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=Saturday=
"And they lived, a fairy tale ending." Kaoru sighed as she placed the book beside her.
"That's how all his novels end..." Gina said coming into Kaoru's room. "He's such a romantic... I wonder what his wife feels..."
"He's married?" Kaoru asked as she gathered the laundry and headed downstairs.
"Of course... her name's Tomoe... pretty name... and I heard they have a son." Tokio replied as the three woman headed to the river. Tsutomu and Tsuyoshi ran to play by the water's bed.
It was a beautiful mourning. A light breeze blew through the trees by the river. Here, one could hear the babble of the river, and the croaking of the frogs. One could hear on these cool summer nights the crickets singing. Kaoru smiled. Here there was peace, and tranquility. The one place in China untouched by the war, by the Japanese.
(A/N: I made them Chinese! Hee hee... I needed this setting... I would have made it in Japan... but it didn't fit... Story takes place sometime during WW2... I'm not so familiar with China's history... so I am place no exact date on this story... it is during WW2...)
She wondered how her home looked now. It would be the time her father, a scholar, was greeting his students. That is, if he was still alive.
Her mother would be helping her grandparents on the farm. That is, if they were still alive.
Her brother and sisters would be playing by the lake. That is, if they were still alive.
Her family, they were just a ghost in her memory. Everything was a castle in the sky, before the war. War brought the cruel reality, and Kaoru's saw her world crumble. The only thing standing, holding her was Soujirou.
Perhaps that's why she stayed with him, when in Kenshin Himura's book, the woman ran away from her husband, seeking freedom.
Soujirou was her rock. He was a good listener. He hadn't left her when her world fell apart; he took her away from the country, to the city; Nan king... and all those other bustling cities. He never wanted anything of her...
He only left her when everything was secure... like now. She felt safe here, no one after her life, or her family. There was no one but Soujirou left. He was away, at work... who knows when he would be home.
"KAORU!" Gina's shrill yelled caused Kaoru to stumble. She glanced around her; she was ankle deep in water. She hurried to the shore.
"What were you doing?" Tokio asked amused.
"Lost in thought..." Kaoru blushed as she knelt beside Gina who was furiously scrubbing a shirt.
"Angry?" Tokio glanced at her niece.
"Oh... Lost in thought Aunt Tokio" Gina replied cheekily.
"Gina." Tokio warned. Kaoru grinned.
Gina smiled good-naturally, "It's all in fun Aunt Tokio."
Tokio shook her head. Kaoru knew the look; Tokio disapproved of Gina's forwardness.
***
The laundry was nearly all done. Tsutomu and Tsuyoshi suddenly stopped their laughter as they glanced behind their mother.
A dark shadow fell across Tokio, "Tokio." The low voice said.
All three women glanced back in shock. "Hajime." Tokio whispered as she stood up.
"Uncle Ha-" Gina stopped as her shiny black hair came loose from her bun and swirled around her shoulders. Gina spun around, hair flying in her face, "OKITA!" She cried, knowing it was her husband who had taken the two pins that held her tight bun together.
"OKITA!" Gina cried again, "WHERE are you? I know you have them!" She yelled to the space.
Kaoru glanced around as she stood up. Okita and Hajime were home; where was Soujirou?
"Looking for me?" A soft voice whispered in Kaoru's ear. Kaoru spun around, meeting blue eyes not unlike her own.
"Soujirou!" Kaoru hugged her husband lightly. His never fading grin was reassuring.
She glanced at Hajime and Tokio Saitou, standing with their sons.
Hajime handed each boy a small wooden toy, and straighten to meet his wife's eyes. He silently handed her a box and without another word, walked towards the house, leaving Tokio staring at the box in hand.
"OKITA!" Gina seemed annoyed now. Where was he?
She brushed her hair behind her ears in frustration. Kaoru watched as Okita appeared, wrapped his arms around Gina and kiss her lightly on the check.
Kaoru noticed Tokio frown in censure.
Gina swatted Okita, "Where are my pins?" She demanded.
Okita held up his empty hand, "Nothing here..." He flipped his hand, "Nothing here." He twisted his hand around and opened his fist, "And here..."
Gina's eyes widened as she say two new elegant pins. She looked at her husband, "I can't take them! They're too expensive. Return them Okita!"
"Gina..." Okita forced them into his wife's hands.
Gina sighed as she pulled her hair back up, "All right. You win."
Okita smiled, "But I still have these!" He teased, holding up Gina's old pins.
"OKITA!" Gina dashed after her husband. She came running back to the river, tossing her clothes into the basket, and hurrying after Okita.
Tokio smiled, following the young couple with her boys and laundry in her arms.
It was only Kaoru and Soujirou left by the lake. Kaoru collected her own clothes.
Soujirou watched.
(A/N: Go help her!)
His smile never left his face, as he took a small pouch from his pocket, "For you." He said softly.
Kaoru nodded and thanked him. She did not open the pouch until she had set the clothes down inside.
It was a miniature glossy mirror with a petite comb. Kaoru peered at herself. She hadn't looked in a mirror in a long time.
She was surprised to find herself, old looking. Her eyes had lost come of their sparkle, her smile thinner... even her face seemed to have shrunk.
"Still pretty." Okita announced peering over Kaoru's shoulder.
"Why thank you Okita." Kaoru replied smiling.
"I meant the mirror." Okita said with a clever grin, ducking a blow from his wife.
Kaoru rolled her eyes as she put to mirror away. Okita reminded her of her young brother...
***
"DINNER!" Tokio called to the men.
There was a hullabaloo to the table. Tokio brought on the dishes as Gina and Kaoru continued to labor in the kitchen.
The men always ate first. Tokio was taking care of her sons.
"Kaoru!" Soujirou called.
Kaoru popped her head out, "Yes?"
"Do not put so much salt in the soup next time."
"Of course." Kaoru bowed and retuned to the kitchen.
Gina was astonished, "You're not mad or anything..."
Kaoru sent a sidelong glanced at Gina, "Why should I be mad?"
"He could be a little more respectful to you." Gina pointed out.
"Gina! It is you who should be more respectful." Tokio entered the kitchen regally.
Gina bowed her head, "Aunt Tokio." Kaoru pitied Gina; she was powerless to do anything.
"Gina... you should not... how can I say this... treat your husband with respect... and honor... your actions this afternoon were totally unacceptable..."
Gina's head remained bowed, "Yes Aunt Tokio." She recited.
Tokio continued her rant, "You are to REVERE your husband... don't treat him as you would Kaoru... it's different."
"How so?" Gina questioned tentatively. Kaoru knew she was testing the waters; Tokio could explode and rant on and on.
"HOW SO? GINA! How can you ask such a thing? I can't believe I raised such a child..."
"You didn't raise me..." Gina replied, stilling looking at the ground. Kaoru admired Gina's rebellious nature, but disapproved of Gina's disrespect towards her aunt.
In her fury, Tokio slapped Gina, "In this house, you are to show respect to those who you SHOULD show... and as the youngest woman... you are even to show respect towards Kaoru, UNDERSTAND?"
"Yes Aunt Tokio." Gina's face flared pink but she said it dutifully.
Tokio stormed out. Gina remained looking at the ground as she went to go clear the table.
***
Gina was different that night; she didn't meet anyone's eyes. Okita and Hajime were shooting glances between each other and their wives.
Gina excused herself and went to bed early. Kaoru excused herself and hurried off to find Gina.
As soon as Gina say Kaoru coming she stopped, turned, and bopped her head slightly, "Is there something you want Lady Kaoru?"
"Gina." Kaoru could not see her bubbly friend like this.
"Yes Lady Kaoru?" Gina's voice was pleasant, without distaste.
Kaoru paused, unsure on how to proceed, "Gina-"
"Lady Kaoru, I will be fine. Please excuse me." She closed the door to her room leaving Kaoru standing in front of the door.
She turned as she heard footsteps, "Okita." She bowed her head, also looking at the ground, like she had been taught.
"Is Gina all right?" Okita's voice was full of concern.
Kaoru shook her head, "I don't know." Okita sighed and brushed past her, entering the room.
Soujirou found his wife looking blankly out the window of their bedroom, "Kaoru?"
Kaoru smiled, "I'm fine."
Soujirou nodded, "Then get some sleep."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Okay... more on Kaoru...
Next chapter will be on Kenshin and Tomoe!!
It's a choppy chapter... I might edit this... I'll see how the next chapters fall before I make that decision...
And so... since you've read this story up to here... please review!!
Thank you!!