Disclaimer: The Princess Bride is not mine. It is merely on holiday with me. Rurouni Kenshin is also not mine. It is merely cropping up rather a lot in the fantasies that I seem to have been typing out. *Kenshin… ^_^*
Author's note: You ask for more K/K, I give you more K/K… *grin* Hope you enjoy.
Btw, if anyone is wondering, 'Huh. The farm bit didn't last this long in the film,' you would be correct, but in the book it goes on for a while, and… *happy little face* It's my fave part of the book! *another jig of the happy dance* All you need is love… ^_^
The Princess Bride: Kenshin Style Four
A quiet tap at the door awoke Kenshin. He sat up immediately, his instincts afire with caution and readiness for confrontation, bringing out a grave expression on his features and a dark shine in his eyes. Is it… he wondered, reaching silently for the sword by his bed.
"Farm boy?"
A small female voice spoke through the door to him. He froze, completely surprised. That was Kaoru's voice. What was she doing here at this time of night? Was there something wrong?
"I'm awake," he replied quietly, moving his weapon behind him, out of sight. He didn't need Kaoru to know about it, even if she did think he was useless with a blade.
The door slid open a little, and Kaoru, hugging her body to the wooden edge of the panel, pivoted around it so that she stood in the room, her back to Kenshin. She pulled the door closed soundlessly. It seemed a suddenly incredible and unbelievable fact that Kaoru had even come to see him in the dark of night, and that they were now completely alone in his room together. Kenshin exhaled a breath he didn't realise he'd been holding.
"I…"
Her voice was hesitant, and Kenshin didn't know how to react: with her back to him, he couldn't see her face. All he could see was her slim figure, and her dark, dark hair, which spilt, unbound, down her back like an ebony waterfall. His fingers longed to touch that silken hair. A fierce, hot feeling uncoiled inside him, somewhere in the depths of his stomach, and it was echoed by a sudden ache in his chest. It made him think about Kaoru's slight figure, about tracing his hands slowly down that curving back, and putting his arms gently around that little waist. He blinked a little blankly as he registered this new sensation he was feeling. Then, realising it was written all over his face, he pushed the thought away and pressed the feeling down, and waited patiently for Kaoru to speak. Her tiny voice brushed the silence.
"I…"
She paused again. The room felt thick with suppressed emotion and unspoken feelings. The moon's cool, placid light spilled peacefully over the floor, softening the darkness. Tension grew between that softness and the harsh restraint in Kenshin's heart, as that new feeling beat stronger within him, and the ache focused itself on his feelings for Kaoru. Kenshin's pulse filled his ears until he could barely think. The moment stretched long and heavy.
Kaoru suddenly spun round to face Kenshin. There were tears in her dark eyes.
"I… I don't want to be alone anymore, Kenshin."
She had spoken his name- his real name. Kenshin's eyes widened. He couldn't breathe.
She stood gazing at him with a pleading look on her beautiful face. The silence that greeted her words made her tears grow and spill down her pale cheeks, glittering in the moonlight like diamonds, though they were far more precious to Kenshin. He couldn't believe… After everything… She needed him, Kenshin. No one else. Only Kenshin.
As the thought settled in his heart, he became calmer, and saw the beauty in the simplicity of what they felt for each other. He held out a hand to her, reaching through the darkness to her. He smiled, and his voice was quiet and gentle.
"As you wish."
She ran to him.
Her face was cool as he brushed her tears gently away, and her black hair tangled in his fingers like living water, so smooth was it, so dark. She knelt in his arms with a little sob, and he stroked her back gently. He couldn't believe bossy, independent Kaoru was this little lost kitten that had fallen into his embrace. He had lived for this moment for so long, and wished for it so hard, that it filled his heart to bursting that it was here, and that it would pass so quickly, as all moments in time did. He pulled her closer.
She looked up into his face with open, honest eyes that shone in the darkness. Those eyes were bottomless in their honesty: no shield covered any of the emotions that stirred in Kaoru's dark gaze, and Kenshin felt as if he was falling endlessly into those soft depths. He softly brushed some stray black strands away from her face, letting his fingers linger on her skin, so soft and pure against his swordsman's hands. Slowly, tentatively, they leaned closer together, and Kenshin felt his heartbeat speed up and push up into his throat. The warm feeling spread right through his body, coursing through his blood and making him feel strong and proud, making him want to protect this perfect wingless angel from everyone and everything. He wanted to be holding her this way forever, to know she would always come to him when she was sad or lonely: no, for her to never be sad or lonely again, if it was in his power to prevent it. Darkness could be forgotten; all the past could be left behind with Koaru beside him. He was liberated and it felt exquisite.
And she was there, her body close enough for him to feel her warmth, and smell her skin. He could almost taste her soft, sweet lips as he moved closer and closed his eyes. He wondered if his heart would stop beating, if it were too full to take any more of the freedom and happiness he felt, now he had Kaoru in his arms. The perfection of the moment was almost painful in its sweetness. He loved her so much…
Bright golden light flooded the room, and warmed him suddenly. He opened his eyes and there was nothing in his arms. As he realised that none of it had happened, it had all been a cruel, beautiful dream, he bowed his head. It was almost ironic, that his dream had been about a dream come true. Bitter disappointment flooded him, but with it came a strength of resolve that he hadn't felt in a long time. Soon… Soon, I will tell her, he promised himself. Even if it means telling her everything. No matter what the consequences, I will not leave this without even trying.
Kaoru nudged the pony's sides for the twenty-eighth time since she'd left the house. This pony didn't like the trudge into town, especially when making deliveries. When Kaoru had tried to put the pack of merchandise onto his back, he'd actually tried to nip it out of her hand. He wasn't usually this irritable. Kaoru didn't stop to wonder if the pony had picked up on her own mood, which, though less aggravated and more under control than yesterday, still burned inside her, like the embers of a fire that refused to be put out.
The local town was fairly small, but it was nearly all the little farm had to keep it in business. Selling their produce on to the couple of little restaurants there and the tiny inn, as well as the dojo further up near her home, created the income that fed Kaoru and her family. Fortunately, it had been enough for them to get by comfortably for many years.
Kaoru slid off the pony's back as she approached the first little restaurant. She went round the back, as usual, and looked around. There was no one there to greet her as they usually did: she was certain she'd got the day and time right. The only person nearby was one of the young women who worked there: she was busy scrubbing some clothes in a tub of water. She didn't seem to have noticed Kaoru's arrival.
Kaoru waited a second, and then decided she might as well ask. She walked up to the woman, and spoke politely.
"Sumimasen- it is delivery day today, isn't it? Is Yamada-san not here today?"
The young woman didn't even glance up at Kaoru. She was abrupt in her reply. "You'll probably find him in the kitchens inside. You can't expect to have a welcome party every week, you know."
Kaoru forced down her anger at this rudeness. She didn't realise it was because of Kenshin: this young woman was one of the many in town who resented Kaoru for living with Kenshin, and blamed her for Kenshin's lack of interest in these other women who strove for his attention. Kaoru simply squared her shoulders and went into the back of the building, and into the kitchens. Yamada-san was there, tall and burly, ordering various staff around with authority.
"Konnichi-wa, Yamada-san. I've brought the usual delivery for this week," she said politely, as soon as Yamada-san seemed to have paused in his work.
The tall man looked down on Kaoru. He looked less friendly than usual. "Kaoru-san. Arigato. Put the bag down in the storeroom as usual, please. Here is your payment."
He handed her the usual little bag of coins, and strode away from her. Shrugging, Kaoru hefted the bag onto her shoulder and took it to the storeroom.
She went on to deliver at the other restaurant, and then the inn, noticing that the people at those places weren't as friendly as they usually were either. It seemed everybody was out of sorts that day.
As Kaoru rode her pony back home, she checked the three little bags of money. When she poured the coins out into her palm, she stiffened. There was less than there should be.
Kaoru was confused, and then angry. What was going on? All three of her buyers had given her significantly less than they were supposed to have, and they had not only said not a word about it to her, but they had been almost unpleasant when she'd visited them. There was something amiss here.
She went straight to her father when she got home. He was doing some weeding in the back garden.
She explained the whole thing to him, and showed him the coins.
"You gave the best we had, Kaoru?" he asked gravely.
"Yes, father." As we always do.
"And you were on time, and it's the correct day… Something is not right here, my daughter. I will go down this afternoon and speak with all of our customers. If it is just a mistake, it is only fair of us to give them the chance to correct it, before making any accusations."
Kaoru nodded, understanding her father's just take on the situation. Father was always fair and thought carefully about things like this: that was part of made him a good businessman, as well as a wonderful father.
"You can go and carry on with your usual tasks for the day, Kaoru. Leave this to me: don't worry yourself about it." He smiled at her, and she smiled back, a great weight off her mind. When father said he would do something, there was never ány doubt that it would be done.
Kenshin walked around the house to the front, and leaned against the wall, lost in thought. He had been stood around the corner from where Kaoru and her father had been talking, and he hadn't liked what he'd heard. He solemnly wished it were just a mistake, as Kaoru's father had hoped, but something inside him felt heavy and angry. He always got that feeling when something bad was about to happen. It worried him, because that feeling almost always had something to do with them.
He was certain they were here somewhere: he'd seen the slightest of footprints out in the open area leading up to the house the day before yesterday. Footprints that he was sure didn't belong to any of the people on this farm. It had worried him at the time, and now the incident came back to him, worrying him even more. If it was connected with what had happened to Kaoru today…
No. It couldn't be. They were clever, but surely they weren't that clever? He had left all of that behind him a long time ago. To track him down after that time, and so far away, out into this small village, was not likely.
But not impossible.
Kenshin's eyes narrowed as he contemplated these dark possibilities and darker memories. Harsh sorrow and deep anger stirred within him. His eyes glinted faintly with a strange colour.
"Farm boy!" yelled a voice, and a hand smacked against his head.
"Oro!" he cried in surprise, nearly falling over. He rubbed his head and looked up at his attacker. It was Kaoru.
He tried not to go red, looking into the face he hadn't seen since his dream, when those eyes had been gazing lovingly into his, and he'd been seconds away from kissing those soft lips…
"Hey! Wake up! I've been trying to talk to you for five minutes already!" cried Kaoru again. Kenshin snapped out of his train of thought. It wasn't going to do him any good anyway, remembering that dream.
He stared at Kaoru with a mildly accusing look. He rubbed his head again, pointedly.
She ignored him. "What are you doing, just lounging around? We don't pay you to stand around like that. You already have a list of things to do today, farm boy!"
Kaoru was back into gear, Kenshin decided. He should probably watch out if that was the case. She could be pretty intimidating when she wanted to be. He nearly smiled at that thought. It was good that she was back to her normal self, though. It meant she wasn't worrying too much about what had happened. He would worry about this one for her.
"As you wish," he replied quietly. He remembered saying it in that way in the dream.
Kaoru's eyes widened slightly, almost as if she could see the thoughts as they played out in his head. Kenshin looked away.
Kaoru was surprised. Kenshin never backed down like that when they were eye to eye in that way.
She shrugged. Oh well.
She couldn't help it if she was just too pretty and confident for even Kenshin to cope with all of the time! She grinned delightedly at the thought.
When she opened her eyes, Kenshin was already gone. Well, good. It was good that he followed orders from her. If only he'd follow the more unusual orders she was thinking of giving him…
Hold my hand, farm boy. Talk with me, farm boy. Hold me in your arms, farm boy.
Love me, farm boy.
She sighed, and went back to work.
Extra 'don't kill me!' author note: Some of you may have seen the 'and it was all a dream…' thing coming, but apologies anyway, I know, it sucks, it's hackneyed: BUT I put it in despite that, partly to create a K/K moment (albeit a 'fake' one), you know how much I love those! BUT more importantly, it was to illustrate just how much Kenshin cares about Kaoru: this is important to me! Their loving each other truly and properly is very, VERY important to me!!! *tries to calm down* Yes, well… Share your thoughts, please! ^_^
Notes to reviewers (these will have to get shorter soon!! But getting the reviews is so happy-fying I have to say something!):
t.angel: Kaoru is one of those characters who is pretty versatile: I love getting her all cute, but getting her annoyed is kinda fun, too *naughty grin*
jeniffer: This review was fun! I asked around all my friends for someone to translate, and found no one: I ended up using an online dictionary!! ^_^ I'll keep trying, I'm determined to read ALL my reviews! Apologies for my ignorance! Anyhoo, from what I could figure out/translate: I'm glad you're enjoying my fic, I'll aim to keep every chapter to the same level (good or bad) ^_^
Kyaa-Kyaff: Mm, twists… They can be fun. I'm thinking of steering more towards the 'story moving in unusual directions' type twist than the 'OH MY GOD IT WAS THE MONKEY ALL ALONG!' type twist. Thanks for the support and I'm glad you enjoy it!
AngelsExist: Your review made me smile so much! *another big smile* Well, I mean, who doesn't like a shower of praise? *blush* Thanks for noting the chapter length: I'm working on that. It gets easier as the plot develops, and new themes are introduced: gives more to discuss/include, you know? Anyhoo, thanks!
Coherentidiot: Oh, that tumble will come someday, and it will be a truly great day in PB: Kenshin Style history… *grin* And you have your newest fix of K/K! And I promise more to come.
Lavender Gaia: I shall indeed continue! It seems I'm doing little else than this fic lately, it may well constitute an addiction… *scratches head* Not sure if I'm at the point where I need therapy yet, but… ^_^ Mmm, shirtless Kenshin… Yes. ^_^
Silver_iris: Yes, I focused more on Kaoru for that one, 'cos Kenshin's got some nastier thoughts to worry about nowadays, as will emerge more strongly soon- but this chapter gives more insight into the Kenshin side o' things. Hope you liked it!
Girl: I live for the K/K moments! I'll keep updating ASAP, no worries! Thank you for R&R-ing!
Aniprinzess: Yeah, I have to say, as I'm plotting out who will go where and what characters parallel suitably, there are several striking resemblances between the two casts… Enough for me to get by, anyway! Thanks for the twist support! I wanna be sure it won't annoy people for me to change some of the storyline of the PB, so I'm glad you and some others said they think it's a good idea!
Celtic Oak: Haha! Wait til you see Humperdinck: he's gonna be a nasty one! I'm glad you like my version, especially since you're a true PB fan! *stands up straight and does Scouts Honour gesture* I swear I will not desecrate the sacred ground of the Princess Bride. ^_^
Faerie-chan: Yars, I'm a college kid… A very lazy one, but hey, isn't that part of being a student? *grin* I looked up the story you were talking about, or at least the website- Akabeko Library was the one I found, don't know if that's the one you meant? Anyway, I had a good look around, and though I couldn't find the story you were talking about, I found some very cool fics there, so thanks for the tip! The one about May 14th was especially cute. ^_^
Jenna: I'm glad you love it! Hope it continues to please. ^_^
Gozaru_no_da: Thanks! Yep, I think a definitive PB moment such as the roll down the hill would be sorely missed if I didn't include it: it never fails to make me laugh when I watch the film. *giggles just remembering it* I'll post another chapter soon!
Shy Girl: Thanks for reading it: I'm glad you liked it! I think I'll take my time finishing this one, but I'm enjoying writing it so much that I'll be updating pretty regularly. Hope you liked the latest chapter!
Kaoru_Kamiya_theRacoonGirl: Thank you for the enthusiastic response! I love reading those kinds of reviews: makes me all warm and fuzzy inside *grin* Ah, seriously though, glad you're enjoying it. I'll update often (or as often as I can!) Soujiro will be CERTAIN to appear, because he is one of my FAVOURITE Kenshin characters! I'll do him justice to the best of my ability! ^_^
SO many reviews! SO many smiles from me! ^_^ Don't stop now, I've just had the surgery on my cheeks done after all those smiles! *grin* All advice is welcome: all reactions appreciated. ^_^
*happy dance, happy dance…*