Disclaimer – Rurouni Kenshin is property of Watsuki-sensai and other companies. I am merely just using it for my stories.
Author's Note – Thanks to the people who told me Mr. Kamiya's first name is Koshijirou. It's been changed in the first chapter. This story is supposed to be set to when the war was just over and Kenshin had still not made his vow yet. Also, I'm researching on how women are supposed to act back in Japan then but I still want Kaoru to have her spunk... Please bear with me!
Chained in Fate Chapter II
By MizzLee
Another beautiful day. Since her father wasn't here classes were shorter and everyone had left. Kaoru sat on the porch, swinging her legs. Yawning she says to herself "This is SO boring." She had chosen to wear a light green kimono with white lines crisscrossing at the bottom. It had been four days since her father had left her. "He's bound to come back any day now! I still wonder what he left to do…" Kaoru decided to go to the Akabeko to catch up on recent information with her friend Tae.
Locking the dojo doors she happily walked down towards the center of the town. It had been a while since she visited Tae or gone shopping since she spent time working around the house and training. She had caught the eyes of a few young men as the passed by but Kaoru had not noticed. When she entered the restaurant she was welcomed in by one of the waitresses. Tae came running towards her as soon as she saw her. "Oh Kaoru –san! It's been quite a while since you've come to visit me! And you have changed a little…"
Kaoru smiled "Ohayou Tae-san! Yes it has been a while; I've been busy at the dojo. What do you mean I've changed? Is something wrong…?" she asked nervously. Tae laughed. "Of course not! Come sit down and we'll talk over tea.
Two cups of steaming green tea were on the table along with a plate of sweets. Tae took no time to hesitate. "Kaoru, look at you! I just haven't seen you for two weeks and you look more mature now! I see you already caught the eyes of a few men when you made your way over to this table. I can't imagine how many men were looking at you when you walked here!" Kaoru blushed. "Oh…no, they must have been looking at someone else. Besides, I do not wish to be married so soon." Tae laughed, "Oh Kaoru –san it's the new age now." "What's that have to do with marriage?" asked Kaoru. Tae just opened her mouth to reply but was interrupted.
"Hey, You're the Kamiya girl from that dojo right?" the voice came from a boy around Kaoru's age. Kaoru halted before her reply; she looked down at the ground before answering. "Hai…watashi Kamiya Kaoru"
In the past, some people had made fun of her because she learns kendo. Some women thought it was dishonorable doing such physical things. Her mother and father were never ashamed to have their daughter learn kendo. Kaoru was so determined to become a refined woman in her mother and father's eyes and yet make them proud for knowing kendo. So when she was still young she would learn proper manners and skills like sewing and cooking from her mother during the morning then after dinner it would be practicing the family technique with her father till late into the night.
Looking back, even though the long nights had coasted her a high amount of sleep but it was well worth it. Yet in her current situation, her kendo skills mattered not. To her surprise the boy smiled. "Watashi Hira desu. Kamiya- san I want to learn the technique your family offers and I would like to ask if I may have the honor of learning the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu." Surprised by his words Kaoru looked up. Hira was a little bit taller than her with short black hair and dark brown eyes. From his first impression he seemed like he would be a decent pupil but that was not for Kaoru to decide. "That is not for me to judge you Hira-san. Sadly, my father is not in town at the moment. He will be back three days later so if you could come vist the dojo then." She spoke softly. Hira smiled. "That would be great. Thank you Kamiya-san." With that he went back to his table. Kaoru turned back to Tae.
"Hmm…" mumbled Tae as she drank her tea. Kaoru lifted an eyebrow. "What is in that sill head of yours now?" She set the cup down. "I think, that this Hira-san here did not just come to only learn kendo." Kaoru didn't understand. "Eh?" Tae sighed. "You silly girl! Meaning he comes to learn kendo and learn about you!" Kaoru pouted. "Tae-san! Stop speaking such nonsense!" "Really now Kaoru san, you really should open your eyes and consider the people around you. You don't want to fall under a loveless marriage." A blank cloud appeared in the younger girl's head. "Loveless marriage?" Tae laughed again purposely to annoy her. "You really don't listen to the stories that has happened to other women in this town do you?" Kaoru crossed her arms. "These 'news' of yours are mostly all rumors, its not very proper of one to spread or listen to them." "Now there! I work in a restaurant it's expected of me to hear them and how could anyone resist! Well, fine. If you don't want to hear the juicy information." Tae picked up her cup to have another taste of her tea. "Wait! Wait! A little bit won't hurt me!" the blue-eyed girl could not resist.
Tae went on with her story. "Well, you know the world is not a happy fantasy land like in your mind Kaoru san. Not everyone finds and marries their true loves. Many women I had heard of and known had been made to wed men they have never even heard of. Once their father's have decided there's there other choice. They were brought up to become wives so it's sort of like their destiny. Sometimes their husbands treat them like dogs, just using them for their own pleasure. I think you would get the idea of how it's like…doing whatever its been told of you to do. Living the rest of your days without love. Then if you disobey you become dishonored. Then there's only one way out of that when you become dishonored."
Kaoru was so focused on the story Tae had been telling. She knew you had to make to ultimate sacrifice if you had dishonored yourself or the family name. Even though in her mind it was wrong, she had no way to object. Tae continued. "Some women had husbands chosen for them since they were born. Some really find men that they truly love. Others had been engaged but their fiancée went to war and never came back. See it's sad when you fall into a loveless marriage. That's why I want the best for you." Kaoru had not even noticed she ate all the sweets on the plates since she was concentrated on each word being told to her. She smiled, "Thank you Tae san. For your care but I know one day I'll find a true love." Tae clapped her hands. "Now, there are some very nice men that come by often I could…" "Tae san!"
The two girls giggled. After a while of talking about small things going around town Kaoru thought it was time for her to leave. "Well, thank you so much for vesting me Kaoru-san." Kaoru bowed politely. "Thank you for the sweets. You really shouldn't have." "Oh it's nothing! Please drop by again. With another bow Kaoru left.
During her walk home Kaoru bought a few ingredients that they were running low on. When she was at the shop after she paid the old lady that worked there she was given an interesting comment. "Kamiya-san, your future holds a great promise!" Having no idea what she meant and not bothering to ask Kaoru quickly headed home. She had promised her father to never be out alone during night. It's not safe for a young lady. Words etched into her mind since her childhood.
Since no one was home at the dojo Kaoru ate a simple dinner by herself. Not feeling like practicing after dinner she warmed up a bath and took a long soothing bath. Afterwards she had fallen into a dreamless sleep.
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Small sunrays were shining through the paper door in the morning. Gently waking up Kaoru. She opened her bottomless blue pools and looked at the ceiling, something inside of her told her something was going to happen today. Neither good nor bad. Just an itching feeling. Getting up she stretched and folded up her futon and placed it neatly in the corner. Sitting at a low table in her room she unbraided her hair and combed it until it shone. Choosing a violet ribbon she tied her hair in the usual ponytail. She chose a matching purple kimono that had small white flowers nestled at the bottom of the kimono and the sleeves.
Opening her shoji she was bathed in morning sunlight. She closed her sapphire eyes and breathed in the fresh air. "Ohayou Kaoru chan" came a voice from behind her. She spun around coming face to face with her father. She beamed. "Otosan! Ohayou!" With a quick bow. "You came back early!" Her father smiled. "Yes, I'm weary from my traveling I just came home." "Would you like me to draw you a bath? Otosan?" Offered Kaoru. "No it's okay, please go and begin breakfast. I miss eating home cooking. Fancy foods just aren't the same." Fancy foods? Kaoru wondered for a moment. Oh, probably means he wants a simple breakfast. "Hai, it'll be ready after you finish your bath." She headed off to the kitchen.
After Kaoru had finished preparing breakfast—misao soup, rice and some chopped vegetables. She set it two trays and carried it towards the dining room. When she entered and had just bent down the put down the trays when her father's voice drifted from outside. "Kaoru Chan, it's a lovely day, let us enjoy breakfast watching nature" Kaoru called over "Hai!" Picking up the two trays piled on top of each other she headed outside. Her father was sitting on the wooden porch cross-legged enjoying the scents of morning dew. Setting down the tray carefully in front of Koshijirou. Taking the steaming teapot she had she sat traditionally beside him and gracefully poured him green tea. "Thank you Kaoru chan, begin your breakfast." The two Kamiyas sat beside each other enjoying the morning view and catching up on what had happened the past few days.
Breakfast was finished and Kaoru had cleaned up the trays. Only two steaming cups of tea were left for them to enjoy. They were facing each other now, the beautiful scenery ignored in the background. Koshijirou picked up his cup and drained the remaining tea. He set the clay cup down. "Kaoru… I have chosen a husband for you." The teapot Kaoru was holding dropped and landed with a clatter. "H-husband?!" She had lost all composure. "B-but that means I have to get…get…." Her father finished her sentence for her. "Yes married. You are no long a little girl no more. You have blossomed into a fine young women." "But…I'm only 18!" "That is the perfect age to wed. You must have thought about it before. Or I'm sure Tae as mentioned it a few times." The surprise of her father knowing about her and Tae's conversations did not matter at the moment. "Is that why you went away this time??" Her father simply nodded. "B-but Otosan…I can't marry! Not yet! Who is it?" "The fine man I have chosen is… Himura Kenshin." The name made Kaoru go into shock even more. If she had known that Himura Kenshin was actually the Battousai she might have suffered a heart attack. "I-I don't even know this Kenshin!"
…Strange how the name seems so easy to roll off my tongue…
Her father locked his hazel eyes to her deep sapphire ones. "Kaoru, this man is a great man. He can support the rest of your life without hard labor." Kaoru had lost all posture. "I don't want a loveless marriage!" Her father gave her a serious stare. "Kamiya Kaoru you will wed Himura Kenshin and you will obey my orders." Kaoru knew nothing would change her fate. With tears in her eyes she stood up and began to take heavy steps towards her room. "Himura –san will come to meet you in two days time. Then we will discuss the wedding plans."
Maybe this is the fate I am chained to…
That night Kaoru couldn't sleep. She was to wed a man she had never heard of or met. Quietly slipping out of her room she tightened her yukuta and wanted to go pray at her mother's shrine. She saw that the dojo room was already opened and a candle was light.
Peeking at the corner she saw her father praying at her mother's shrine. She knew it was wrong to eavesdrop but her feet seemed too curious to move.
"Darling, I told Kaoru today about the wedding. She seemed upset as planned, I know it's cruel forcing her into the marriage but as her father I need to know that my daughter is in good hands, the years are totaling on. Kaoru had just realized how his father had changed. He was no longer the tall young man with the handsome face. Years seemed to be printed over his face making him lose the jolliness he once had. He seemed to have…shrunk? He did not seem as tall to her suddenly. "I have met Himura and Katsura was right. He is changing and Kaoru will help him. I know he will take care of her. Please watch over Kaoru from above.
Kaoru had no idea who this Katsura was. Her anger held in her heart seemed to have calmed, she understood her father and his thoughts. 'I suppose he is doing this for the best of me…but what is this helping he was talking about?' She heard her father begin to get up and she quickly ran back into her room.
Kogoro Katsura was an old friend of Kamiya Koshijirou. They had lost contact over the years but recently Koshijirou had gotten a letter from his lost friend.
Dear Kamiya,
Hope your doing good as the last I had seen you. I wanted to ask of you for a favor… I have a this comrade, you may probably of heard of him. I had taken away his sanity for the war. Yes the legendary Battousai but he is trying to get away from his bloody past. Five years ago, the last time we met I met little Kaoru. Pure, innocent Kaoru I knew she would grow into a beautiful women. She can help him Koshijirou, I can feel it. She can help him gain his sanity back. Please consider this proposal and go meet him in Kyoto…Consider this a dying man's wish.
Kogoro Katsura
The thought of giving his daughter's hand to the Battousai was absurd. Yet something in his heart was urging him on. He decided to meet Katsura in person first. When he had arrived to Kyoto he had found out Katsura was no longer in this world. Respecting his last wish Kamiya went to visit the Battousai. He too had gotten a letter. After staying with the Battousai that he learned was Kenshin for a few days he saw that his soul was troubled. He was a good person underneath. Kamiya decided he would offer his daughters hand to complete the last wish. Kenshin understood also, from the letter had received. The two men had arranged Himura to meet Kaoru. The rest was up to fate.
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