Title: A New Beginning
Rated: R – Violence and Language
Author: charismatic_angel
Email: charismatic_angel@msn.com
Chapter Date: 6/18/03
All the stuff you do not want to read but I have to say:
* sighs * I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. Someone else owns the rights and characters to this series. You know the rest…(Please don't sue me)
This is my first attempt at writing a fanfic. Please bear with me as I get used to the process. I encourage criticism good or bad. The reviews are what tell me what you as a reader like or dislike. I can't promise I will change everything with my writing or storyline, but I will sure listen. Don't worry about hurting my feelings. I spent an entire semester in British Literature II only to have my essays and papers ripped apart in front of my very eyes! lol Anyways, thank you for reading ^ * ^
Chapter 1:
Kaoru sat in her seat with her elbow resting on the armrest and her head leaning against one hand. She stared blankly at the window beside her. The clouds billowed past the wing of the plane and cut them in half as it glided through the air. The vast city of Tokyo slowly disappeared from view as the plane ascended. Only a spec of the once gigantic city could be seen. It soon disappeared to be replaced by a thick cloud cover.
Kaoru sighed
I never thought I would be leaving this city. I had so many good memories there…yet so many bad ones. Am I doing the right thing? Am I a coward for running away? No, I must do this it is the only way!
She closed her eyes and leaned back into her chair as she reiterated what brought her to these events.
* FlASHBACK *
"Where are you taking me and why is it so important that I keep my eyes closed?" Kaoru said impatiently.
The man beside her laughed and said, "Oh my dear Kaoru, you are so impatient but that's what I love about you. Only a few more minutes until we are there and soon you can open those gorgeous eyes."
Kaoru smiled as a slow blush spread across her face.
"You and your compliments"
"Only for you…. only for you"
The car stopped abruptly and he turned off the ignition.
"We are here," he said as he turned to smile at her.
"Finally, I don't know how much longer I could have waited."
He got out of the car and went around to open her door. He took her hand as he helped her out. He waved a hand in front of her eyes to make sure she wasn't peeking. Amazingly, her eyes were still squeezed shut.
Together they walked up a series of steps. She heard him fumbling around with something in his pockets, until it seemed he found what he needed. The sound of a key unlocking something could be heard and with a creek a door opened. He flipped a light switch led her inside.
The place they walked into seemed empty because she could hear their footsteps and his voice echoing off the walls. They turned the corner of the entryway and stopped.
"Open your eyes," he gently commanded.
She opened her eyes, slowly absorbing the new surroundings. Her breath caught in her throat as she took in the beauty of this place. It seemed to be a house, but not just any house.
The place was huge! Everywhere you turned there were windows. She could see the ocean outside from where she was standing. Over to the left was a see through glass fireplace and to the right was a kitchen that had cathedral ceilings and a skylight just above it. A metal spiral staircase led upstairs to where she guessed the bedrooms were. Every detail to this place was magnificent. She could not fully appreciate the house in one mere glance. It was too extravagant.
"This place is beautiful.", she said with awe.
"You really like it?"
"Like it? I love it! But, why are we here?"
"Always full of questions aren't you? I guess I've kept you waiting long enough. First things first though." He said as he got down on one knee. "Kaoru Takashi, will you marry me?"
The way he looked into her eyes made her heart melt. He pulled a black velvet box from his pocket and opened it to reveal a 3ct fiery pear shaped diamond on a white gold setting.
Immediately Kaoru's hand covered her mouth as she let out an "awe"
"Do you like it?"
"Like it? It's…It's…I am not sure what to say? This is so overwhelming"
"Say yes. Say you will be mine."
Kaoru smiled and let out a soft "Yes."
"I am not sure I heard you? Is that a yes?" He said with a mischievous grin.
"YES!" she shouted, "YES, I will marry you!"
He stood up and she lunged herself into his arms, squeezing him tightly.
This house is my engagement present to you. Its beauty reflects your own that has captured my heart.
"I love you Enishi." She said teary eyed
"I love you too Kaoru."
* END OF FLASHBACK *
Kaoru was awakened from thought as she heard the flight attendant ask what kind of beverage she would like. She asked for some water, which the attendant poured and handed to her in a small plastic cup.
She slowly sipped on the cool liquid. Relishing the feeling it gave her. The air on the plane was dry and made her throat scratchy. The water proved to be quite refreshing.
A while later the same attendant walked down the aisle carrying a plastic sack so the passengers could throw their garbage into it. When the attendant was close enough she threw her cup into the bag and asked if she could possibly get a pillow.
Soon enough she came back with a small pillow and a blanket.
"It is going to be a long trip. We shouldn't arrive until late morning. The blankets go fast. I thought you might have wanted one before they are all gone."
"Thank you." Kaoru replied
Gratefully, she took the blanket and pillow. The pillow was small but it was better than nothing. She wrapped the blanket around her and soon slipped into a quiet slumber.
* Dream/ Flashback *
Kaoru stood behind the stove in her new house. She was busily stirring the contents of the steaming pot when she heard the front door open.
A loud clatter and a few thuds could be heard from the entryway.
"Enishi, is that you?"
No reply
She heard a hard knock, like someone hit the wall with his or her hand. Not knowing what was going on, Kaoru dropped her spoon and raced towards the entryway.
"Enishi, is that you? Are you alright?"
Still no answer
She swiftly turned the corner to see her fiancée angrily throw his shoe against the wall.
"Enishi?"
When his face came up to greet her, it was not the face of her adoring fiancée but a wild man. His eyes showed tremendous fury and his mouth was a straight line.
Worried Kaoru asked, "Is something wrong? What happened?"
What shocked is what he said next.
"Something wrong?! OF COURSE SOMETHING IS WRONG!" he shouted.
"I just lost the biggest fucking deal we had this year! That's what's wrong!"
His eyes were piercing and he gave her a menacing look.
"Bastards wouldn't know what to do if I wasn't there to baby-sit them all day. Incompetent fools!"
She had never seen this side of him before. To her he had always been loving gentle and kind. The sudden change in his demeanor worried her.
"What's for dinner?" He quickly said as he changed the subject.
"Miso soup and riceballs" she replied meekly.
"Misao stopped by this afternoon. We talked too long and I forgot what time it was. I didn't have time to go to the grocery store. So, I had to do with what we had around here." Her last sentence was barely above a whisper.
He grunted and walked towards the kitchen dropping his overcoat on the floor.
Kaoru quickly picked it up and went to hang it in the closet.
Enishi walked to the stove and inspected the food. He grabbed a spoon from a drawer near by so he could taste the contents.
Kaoru entered, seeing he was going to help himself.
"Here let me get you a bowl," she said making a move towards the cupboard.
He grunted again, but said nothing.
He dipped the spoon into the pot and brought it up to his mouth to taste.
He frowned "This is disgusting!" He spit what was left into the sink and grabbed a towel to wipe his mouth off with.
He then went to the dish where she had neatly arranged the riceballs on. He grabbed one and sunk his teeth into it. This time he took the towel he had in his hand and spat the rice into it.
"Was this the shit you were going to feed me? It's not fit for a dog!"
With that, he dropped the riceballs into the same pot as the soup and carried it over to the sink.
Kaoru could only watch as he dumped the contents down the drain and turned on the disposal.
He went toward the bar and pulled a glass and a bottle of bourbon from the cupboard. He poured the bourbon into the glass and in one swig drank the whole contents.
Kaoru was silent the whole time not knowing what to say or do.
He slammed the glass onto the bar countertop, startling Kaoru.
"I am going out." He coldly replied not even looking at her.
She was about to say something, but decided at the last moment not to. She followed him back to the entryway only to see him retrieve his coat and shoes.
"Don't wait up for me." He said as he turned his back on her and walked out the door.
Kaoru stood there as the tears she kept well hidden suddenly began to pour from behind her eyes.
- Part II Dream -
After that night, Enishi made it a habit to stay out late. Since that day he suddenly took on a new persona. He was cold angry and vicious. Kaoru was scared of him but stayed nonetheless. She loved him that was her only reason for staying.
Kaoru was lying in their bed hoping to finally spend some time with her fiancée. She had hoped that spending more time together would bring him around. She read a book while she patiently waited for him to finish his shower.
She was momentarily distracted from her reading when she heard a light humming noise. Wondering what it could be she glanced around the room looking for the source of the noise.
Finally eyeing his beeper that was frantically buzzing around on top the dresser. Knowing what it was, she ignored it hoping whoever it was would give up. It was her night to have him to herself.
Hearing the buzzing stop she gave a sigh of relief and resumed her reading. She was disturbed once more by the sound of the cell phone in his coat pocket going off. Kaoru tried to block the annoying ring out but was having a hard time doing so.
Unable to concentrate and annoyed at this persons persistence she got up and was going to give this person a piece of her mind.
She retrieved the phone out of his pocket and picked up the call.
The voice on the other end would be someone she didn't expect.
"Darling, where were you? I have been trying to reach you all day. Why haven't you returned my calls? Said the husky feminine voice.
Kaoru didn't expect the other person to start talking before her. She also didn't expect it to be another woman. It was a long pause before Kaoru spoke.
"Who are you?" she asked.
The woman on the other end let out a slight gasp.
"I am sorry, I must have the wrong number." She said quickly.
"Wait, don't hang up! I want to know who you are. What is your name?" she said as her voice became gravelly.
"Makoto" the other woman whispered. "I am sorry I have to go." And she hung up.
Kaoru stood there holding the phone not believing what just happened. Had he been cheating on her the whole time?
Doubting her instincts she went to the beeper to see who it was. The message was only a number "99."
She looked at the cell phone in her hand and decided to search his address list. She pushed in "99" hoping there would be no such number, but she would be wrong. "99" was to Makoto Yamaguchi. She could only stare at the name disbelieving this was happening to her.
As if on cue, she heard the door to the bathroom open. She turned around with tears in her eyes and cell phone still in hand and mouthed "Why?"
Confused, he stepped forward but stopped when she marched to where he was standing.
"Who is Makoto Yamaguchi? Tell me! I want to know who she is!"
What happened next she did not expect. He raised his hand and slapped her across the face.
She held the burning cheek in her hand and stood there in utter shock. He had never touched her until now.
"Never ask me about my business." He coolly replied.
"You hit me." She said as she stepped back from him.
He moved forward and grabbed her by the shoulders and brought her close to his body. He was only wrapped in a towel, since he had just gotten out of the shower. She could feel the beads of water trailing down his chest.
"I have needs like any other man. It is not in my nature to be faithful to one person."
She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She was so angry, how could she be so stupid! She forced herself away from him.
"That's not good enough. I refuse to let you treat me this way."
"Oh, but I can and I will." He said with a mischievous grin.
He was frightening her. His eyes were those of a wild animal. She unsteadily backed away and pulled her robe closer.
"You are mine. You belong to me."
"NO! NO! I belong to no one! Especially, such a jerk like you!"
That was all it took. His wild animal like eyes danced. In one leap he was in front of her grabbing her by the arms.
"Ouch, you are hurting me." She yelped.
He slapped her across the face once more.
"Don't ever, ever mouth off to me again if you know what's good for you." His voice was low and demanding.
Kaoru cried she felt so defeated. Why was she letting him do this?
He repeatedly slammed her against the wall. Knocking what consciousness she had left out of her.
In one violent move he pinned her to the bed and moved atop her.
"Isn't this what you wanted? A little quality time? Be careful what you ask for or it may come true."
* END OF DREAM/FLASHBACK *
Kaoru awoke with in a cold sweat.
It was so real.
It took her awhile before her heart resumed its normal pace.
He will never do that to me again. Never!
The attendant walked by and announced they would be landing shortly and asked everyone to stay in their seats.
She looked out her window as she felt the plane descending lower to the ground. Through the clouds she could see parts of a city here and there. The tops of skyscrapers and towers could be seen over the cloud mast, indicating her journey was ending.
America, what memories will you hold for me?
Well everyone that is the end of chapter one. I would like to know what you thought! If I get some good feedback I will try to post another chapter ASAP. I am counting on you guys.
AN: I know the plane ride is out of context. People who travel from Japan to America fly into Alaska first and then connect with another flight.
It takes a little more time than what I have written here. I shortened the time frame because I want to move along.
I know some other things in the next chapter will also be out the ordinary, but you have to remember this is fictional. I will try to keep things as believable as possible.
Thank you for reading.