Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin and The Princess Bride (by William Goldman, also known as S Morgenstern- it's a curious conspiracy but they are in fact the same person- for those who've asked) are not mine, and I do not deserve them for being such a cruel writer. *remorseful sigh*
Author's note: this is a pretty short chapter, and fairly… er… to the point, in some respects. It seems the PB storyline doesn't allow me to refrain from authorial evil for even one more chapter. Apologies. *muffled sniff*
The Princess Bride: Kenshin Style NineAfter the initial few tears shed at Kenshin's departure, Kaoru spent her days walking on air. She cleaned tack and grinned. She dusted rooms and danced. She mucked out the stable and giggled aloud, she was just so happy.
Whenever she closed her eyes, even for a moment, she could see Kenshin's deep violet eyes, so full of love, and when she lay down to sleep at night, she could feel the ghosts of his hands clasping her to him, and recall the taste of his kiss and the tingling sensation he had awoken in her. Her dreams were all about him, and they comforted her, now that her dear love was gone for a while.
It helped that he had explained everything about Hawk-Eyes to her, albeit very briefly, before he left. She was so shocked at how that woman had behaved towards her wonderful Kenshin, she'd wanted to go and hit her senseless. But Kenshin had only looked into her eyes in that way he did, and said, "It's all in the past now: don't do something you'll only feel regret over later." Then he'd kissed her again, a slow, lingering kiss. Kaoru found she couldn't disagree with him at that point.
Just remembering his kiss made her feel like she was walking on air. Everywhere she went, everything she did, her content shone from her. She couldn't keep it inside.
When she went into town, she greeted everyone she saw by saying something along the lines of, "Hello, I haven't seen you in so long, it's lovely to bump into you, I'm in love and I'm going to marry Kenshin!"
The girls who had been hissing with jealousy before took one look at Kaoru and smiled. She was simply too happy: her feelings gave her skin such a lovely glow, and her eyes such a pretty sparkle, and her smile had become so dazzling that nobody who saw Kaoru could find it in themselves to think badly of her.
Her father was very pleased and very proud of her. When she went back to the house on that wonderful day, once Kenshin had gone on ahead of her, her father was waiting for her.
"Kenshin has already seen me: he came and spoke to me before he left. I'm very happy for you, my daughter. I have always wanted true joy for you in life, and I believe you have really found it in that young man. I want you to know that I consider him more than worthy of you, as precious as you are to me."
Kaoru had surprised her father by flinging her arms around him and hugging him. "Thank you, father," she'd whispered with tears in her eyes.
He'd only smiled at her kindly.
Things had got easier on the farm after Kenshin left, financially at least. The customers in town had suddenly announced that prices were being adjusted again, and Kaoru's father was being paid what he had originally, just like that. Kaoru was too wrapped up in bliss to ponder the fact that the customers had all decided this the very week Kenshin had left.
Kaoru's father had been feeling better: not having to pay Kenshin's wages anymore made life less stressful for him, and Kaoru was more than happy to take on more work: nothing at all could bring her down.
Altogether, life had never been more secure and comfortable, and Kaoru had never been as happy.
Kaoru was exuberant all over again when she received her first letter from Kenshin.
'My beautiful Kaoru,
The journey hasn't been too difficult so far. I travel with old friends, who I really hope to introduce to you, one day, when I can return and we can marry at last. I look forward to that time with all my heart, and I'm certain it isn't far away.
It's my thoughts of you that keep me going each day. My heart feels heavy sometimes on the long road, but every time I look at the sky, I think of the blue in your eyes, and remember how it felt to hold you, and I know I will be holding you again soon.
I shouldn't be travelling too much longer: my destination is not far off now. I am approaching the Great Southern Road, and should have left it in the next couple of weeks, and be near to where I am needed.
I love you, Kaoru.
You will hear from me again when I reach the Great Road.
All the love in a farm boy's heart,
Kenshin.'
Kaoru's enthusiasm knew no bounds. All she could think about was the return of her beloved Kenshin, and the letter only spurred her on the more. She wondered what she could do to fill the days in a way that would please Kenshin, and asked her mother about it.
"Well, my dear, Kenshin already loves you for who you are: for your strength and courage and kindness. So you could take care of yourself some more, pay a little more attention to your appearance. You could be the most beautiful girl in the world if you made a little more effort." (Her mother didn't know this, as she hadn't called on a certain professor who, at that time, dwelt in Tokyo in an old library, and kept the records on such things, but her lovely daughter was, in fact, already at around number thirty on the table of the most beautiful women in the world. She'd already shot up from forty-third since Kenshin had first kissed her.)
Kaoru was surprised: she hadn't thought of that before. She'd never really rated personal care very high on her list of priorities.
However, as she began scrubbing her skin that little bit longer in the bath, and brushing her hair that little bit more often, and exercising that little bit more regularly, her true potential began to emerge.
Kenshin had always thought that Kaoru was the most beautiful girl in the world. But over the first week of her really trying, she became at least five times as beautiful as she'd been when he'd left. With every passing day, her love for him grew, and her beauty grew with it.
The gossip about her loveliness spread, and a couple of local men of importance stopped by the little farm to see the vision of beauty they had heard about. They were not disappointed, and were quick to relay the information to other, highly positioned figures of power.
Kaoru carried on her daily life unaware of any of this, barely even noticing the reactions of those close to her. When she went into town, the local young men were quite literally dazzled. They didn't really know what to do with themselves when they saw her, with her swinging curtain of raven-black, shimmering hair, and her soft, perfect skin and sparkling eyes.
And still, all she could do was talk about Kenshin, and how wonderful he was, and how much she loved him. It was pretty dangerous, by this time, to dare mention Kenshin's name around the girl: and to ask if she had heard from him, or how he was, was like suicide to your day. She'd tell you how he was, in great detail: how perfect he was, how chivalrous he was, how amazing and courageous he was. She could go on for hours, once you set her off. It got a little difficult, sometimes, for her listeners to actually keep listening properly after the first hour or so, but they tried, because she was so full of kindness and happiness, and loved her dear farm boy so completely.
Which was why Kenshin's death hit her the way it did.
The letter Kenshin had promised to send from the Great Road never came. Her parents were the ones to tell her, one overcast Thursday afternoon after her father came back from town, having just learnt the terrible news.
"It was a couple of days ago, on the Great Road," said her father. "Apparently they attacked in the night. Someone saw them approaching a person of Kenshin's description, but then they themselves fled in fear."
"I'm so sorry, my dear."
Kaoru thought she'd better sit down.
"What? Who attacked?" she asked in confusion.
"A group of rebels," answered her father.
"So Kenshin is a hostage, or a prisoner then?" asked Kaoru fearfully.
Her mother looked at her with troubled eyes, biting her lower lip worriedly. She shook her head quickly.
Her father placed a hand on her shoulder. "It was the Dread Hitokiri Battousai," he said quietly.
Kaoru wondered if her legs would collapse from under her. There was no point in hoping: everyone knew the Dread Hitokiri Battousai didn't take prisoners. When he set out after someone, they died. It was as simple as that.
She felt herself losing control of her voice, and she started babbling, "I wonder if they killed him quickly… I wonder if he saw them coming and tried to defend himself, or if they crept up behind him in the dark, and stabbed him in the back, or if they slit his throat, or if they just beat him to death… I wonder how much pain he was in before he died, and if he thought of me before it happened…" She swallowed quickly. "I'm being silly, I'm sorry, of course you can't know any of that," she said suddenly.
Her parents waited anxiously for her floods of tears and cries of grief.
She just blinked, once, very calmly. She went to her room, and closed the door behind her. Very, very calmly.
She didn't come out for more than two weeks. Her parents went to listen at the door now and then, to see if she was all right, but there was never a sound. They left food, which was barely ever touched. She only ate enough to fend off starvation.
It was late one evening, sat in her room, that Kaoru's denial lifted, and reality hit her. She'd already been in her room eight days, and she was at her usual place, sat by her window, gazing outside, her mind numb and not really forming any particular thoughts.
As she continued gazing detachedly, a small glow had risen out of the long grass outside her room. Her eyes focused on it, and watched it twirl in a meandering pattern through the darkness. Then another shining dot appeared, and another.
Fireflies, Kaoru thought to herself absently.
As she watched the little insects trail in their glowing dance in the night outside the window, something broke inside Kaoru- something in her heart fell apart, and the emptiness that flooded her was filled with an unbearable loneliness and grief.
Kenshin was dead.
Dead.
How could one word be so final, so devastating? How could that one word ruin her life so entirely? Yet it did.
She would never see him again.
He would never return to her. Never hold her again. Never kiss her again. Never again tell her she wouldn't feel alone anymore.
The realisation was more than any creature of flesh and blood and feeling can be expected to take easily.
Yet Kaoru's grief was so complete, that she didn't even cry out: didn't sob aloud. A voice inside her was screaming, screaming in agony and fury, deafening her mind, but nothing came out of her mouth. It was futile: it wouldn't bring Kenshin back.
Kenshin.
He was dead.
Kaoru's eyes filled with tears, and she didn't bother trying to brush them away. There were too many of them. The fireflies' lights blurred.
After fourteen days of isolation, Kaoru came out of her room. She was quite calm: her face was clear of tears; there was no redness to her eyes. She didn't look the worse for grief or sorrow at all: in fact, she was more beautiful then she had ever been. She had entered her room as just an impossibly lovely girl. The woman who emerged was a trifle thinner, a great deal wiser, and an ocean sadder. This woman had experienced the depth of true pain, understood the nature of grief. The professor in Tokyo needed to adjust his charts.
Kaoru was the most beautiful girl in the whole world. She couldn't have cared less.
She just walked into the living room and sat down.
"Are you… all right?" asked her mother tentatively.
"Yes, I'm fine. But I shall never love again."
And she never did.
Formal footsteps clicked smartly along an echoing corridor. A gloved hand knocked at a heavy wooden door, and, at the sound of 'Enter', the hand pulled at the door handle and entered the room.
A fire burned low in a dark, gaping hearth. A figure stood silhouetted in front of a tall window at one end of the small room. They didn't turn to speak. "Well? What is it?"
"The doctors wish to tell you that your father, the king, is dying. You know what that means."
The dark figure turned their head enough for their smirk to be visible. "Yes, I am aware. And you are just as aware that I have no interest in scouring the country for a bride suitable to bring the future heir, and my child, screaming into this world. I leave that task to you."
"I shall leave immediately. A bride will be found for you, my Prince. Please do not allow yourself a moment's more thought on the matter."
"I won't. I trust you will do any worrying necessary."
The gloved hands came together as the messenger bowed respectfully. The footsteps clicked smartly back down the corridor.
"Have my horse ready at the stable within five minutes," ordered the voice coldly. A nearby footman bowed and scrambled away down the corridor at the order.
The messenger smiled. He knew just where to start looking for the perfect bride.
Author's note: (quickie: the Great Road was an invention of mine to help keep track of Kenshin's location)
*tries to hide under the depleted amounts of fluff* Don't hurt me! It wasn't my fault! *sniffs* Even I'm upset now! *blows nose into a hanky* If anyone wants a tissue, here's a packet of them. *offers said packet* And thank you to all those who supported me with food and various kinds of sandwiches while I was trapped beneath the fluff. I am greatly indebted to you for your kindness. *bows* … *shuffles off to get another hanky, muttering 'poor Kenshin…' under her breath*
Notes to reviewers:
Kamimura Kaoru: Thanks for taking the trouble to e-mail me your review! Much appreciated! I'm keeping secret all plot plans, so you'll just have to wait and find out! *grin* But there'll be more in five days, so you won't have to wait too long!
DunkmoonX: Yes, romance is truly wonderful: and it seems to be the staple diet at fanfiction.net! Not that I'm complaining: I thrive on the stuff! ^_^ 'Twas good to hear from you again.
Lady E: Heya! Hm, I see what you mean about this chapter: I worried that it wasn't as fluent and structured as the previous ones, and I know this chapter is very badly structured, but I intend to shed the floundering-ness in time for chapter ten. *sweat drop*
Aniprinzess: I know what you mean about the PB not giving details: it was something I always lamented about that otherwise wonderful book. *cheeky grin* So I indulged myself for my version! Hurrah!
Califpinay3001: Thanks hun! ^_^ I love K/K moments, too. But… *lower lip trembles* Kenshin! WAHHH! *mustn't lose hope, mustn't lose hope… am the author after all…* Chuh.
Tevrah: *cuddles Kenshin doll tearfully* Thank you so much! *munches on cookie and tries to talk with her mouth full- such bad manners, honestly* I appreciate the support, and the cookie. I guess I'll see you in five days, then. *sniff*
Little Yahiko: *enthusiastically* Hi! I greatly enjoyed your review: I hope my fluff didn't claim you as it did me. And thanks for the sandwiches *sweatdrop* At least I something to feed the various cast members who found their way down here… *watches Sanosuke polish off the 5 billionth sarnie* Hey, what are YOU doing here? You aren't meant to be here yet! Go on, move off! *pokes Sano with a stick* Honestly, you just can't get well-trained characters these days… *rolls eyes and laughs*
Incoherence: *grins, what with all the glomping* Thank you! The kissage was very satisfying to write… er, in a strictly non-pervy way, of course! *sweatdrop* *solemnly* And I will let you know as and when spankage is necessary. *breaks into a grin* Apologies for my reverting to cruelty… My hands are tied by the PB, not my fault! *runs away before she can get another spanking* *laugh*
Mary: I promise you will see Sanosuke before TOO much longer, if all goes to plan: heck, I couldn't leave him out, could I? He's Sano- SANO! *drool* anyways, Kaoru was thinking in a realisationy type way 'I love him', but when she kinda lost it and yelled his name, that was real, she actually yelled. The bit after that when she spilled out all her feelings was real and out loud, too. ^_^ *bounces for the sheer cuteness of it all* More on the way! *don't lose hope!*
Girl: I take it you're more sad now, what with Kenshin being dead and all… *remorseful* sorry about that. But don't worry: this story isn't over yet! *determined* As long as I'm a writer and a lover of RK, we will endure! YESSSS!
Jellybob 15: Cheers! I have this thing about rain… I'm nearly as bad as Thomas Hardy for the pathetic fallacy thing… 'character sad, let it rain…' *wry grin* Well, it should be pouring like the flood if I keep killing off my cast and making them miserable like this… *puts up an umbrella ready* See you soon then, anyway!
Awc: *cuddles the Kenshin plush* aw, he's so cute! Thank you! And I agree: K and K all the way! *holds up a banner made of fluff* This stuff is useful for many, many things… You'd be surprised how you experiment when you're under it for a week… *grin* I almost miss it, now it's sunk down so much.
Faerie-chan: *chomps on all the food* Thanks! Mmm, turkey sarnie… *giggles* My cat stares off into space for no reason all the time. She seems to go through life with a constant vacant look on her face. *laughs at vacant cat* Ah, pets are so amusing…
Silver Eyes Bright: I know! But hey, drawing out this kind of thing is part of the fun of being the writer! *grin* Thanks for reviewing, anyhoo!
Zeh Wulf: Thanks, I'm pretty damn chuffed to hear it. *grin* I'm seriously relishing putting in the bits from the book that I love best: and it's cool to know there are some who pick up on them. This chapter is full of them: mostly cos I love the way this part is handled and described in the book. *applauds Morgenstern* Hurrah!
MegumiFuu: Please stay optimistic! PLEASE!!!!!!!! I will not be cruel in the long run, I promise. *suddenly realises how much faith she is requiring from her poor, ill-used readers* er, sorry for that. *repents sincerely* But hey, it can only get better, right?
Vash-chan AKA Makoto Almasy: Yes, his walking off was something I nicked from the book of the Princess Bride: in that, he shut the door in her face. In my version, they were outside, so no doors… but the reason he went off was similar to the reason Westley shut the door in Buttercup's face in the book: he wanted to think out what to do and how to make it so they could marry, and how to tell her his feelings. *great book, the PB* *due respect given* Ah, well… see you in five days then!
Gochan: Yep, yep yep: this chapter is even more like the book's version, cos I really liked how it was done in the book: and I'm the first to admit I've deviated a LOT in previous chapters! *grin* I'm really glad to hear your thoughts on the blending aspect of the story: my aim was to get both sides to this crossover melding naturally together, and making things harder to predict. I'm so chuffed that you like it! ^_^ *offers a bucket of fluff* Here, have this: it's up for grabs to anyone who wants or needs it! ^_^ There'll be more in due course, don't worry. ^_^ *munches pop-tart happily*
Evil Person: Thanks! I'm very honoured to be the one to make a story out of two such excellent existing tales. ^_^
Demon Neko-Chan: *munch munch* Hello! Yes, the fluff is ever so amusing to amass… I amassed a little more than expected last time, tho it seems to have died down a lot with this chapter… *wades around in the remaining fluff* Well, at least it means I can reach the fridge… *grin* See you in another five days then: right on time… ^_^
TenkunoMeiou: Thank you! I shall indeed continue, with growing enthusiasm! ^_^
TwinBakaNekos: Er… When you said 'He'd better come back alive', was there a note of a threat in that or was I imagining it? *nervous* Er… Well, there's lots more story to come, so it can't be fair to kill me, right? *pained voice* Right??! *runs away*
Redhead Samurai: Thanks for putting yourself at risk, coming down here to do your review! You should be able to get free of the fluff by now: it's gone down a lot. I think it got upset by what happened in this chapter, and most of it just vanished. *gets out a broom* Ah well, guess there's nothing left to do but sweep this lot up til further notice. *sigh* Well, I'm glad you're enjoying the story: I'll be back in another five days, okay? ^_^
LTGMars: Hey, thanks! The only fanfic story that had me staying up all night to read it was 'When the World Revolves Around You' by Chiki. If you haven't read it, you should give it a go, I love it. ^_^ (wow, I'm plugging other people's stories… eh, must balance it out!) And, and my other stories are good too, that they are! And this story is going well, ne, ne? *grin* ANYway, ^_^ I know what you mean about them being younger. After reading your review and thinking about it, and re-reading some bits, I agree, they are a little younger: I'd place them as being about seven or eight years younger than in the anime series, which would make Kenshin about 20, not sure about Kaoru *sweatdrop- never keeps track of characters other than sexy guys* eh-heh heh… Well, thanks for reviewing, I'll see ya in another five days I guess!
Genocide ex-sync*in: *tries to boogie like genocide in the fluff* … *falls over* Eh, not working… Well, no reason for me to boogie now anyway, after being so evil in this chapter. *pout* It'll have to get happier again soon! Hey, it's almost *freaky* how in your review you said 'it's a wonder he isn't dead yet'… Not that it's like you cursed him or anything! I take full responsibility for it all. Well, aside from the blame laid on the PB for doing the same in that story, and so making me copy… *moans* Not fair! Well, I'm gonna quit whining now. Thanks for reviewing!
I won't tell: Hello again! Hmm, their emotions were great fun to lay out, so many different ones in such a small space of time! As for the other five great kisses… They weren't named in the PB, where that idea came from, except for the first, Saul and Delilah Korn apparently, who discovered kissing, so the PB says. The other four are up for speculation! ^_^
Papaya: *keeps a distance* Right, I know what you're gonna say- you're tell me I'm the most evil author there is (tho I'm NOT that evil!) and laugh in my face, correct? *hides under some remaining fluff, which then vanishes cos of the depressing vibes created by chapter nine* Gah! Okay, okay, here. *sulkily offers a bonus point* You won that bet with flying colours this time. But next time, Gadget, next time! *tries to look menacing and fails miserably* Thanks for chucking in my computer, much appreciated, btw! And I will endeavour to fluffarize, meanwhile inevitably evilising (I coined a word too!) every chapter I touch! I'm like a writer with the Midas's touch, only with evil instead of gold! MWAHAHAHA! *cough* Yes, well… five days! *runs away*
Shattered Relfection: Oh dear, if you found that sad, I'm getting nervous about this chapter. *offers a hanky* Please don't be upset! I'm only nine chapters in: this isn't the end of it all okay? *sucks on the melted chocolate despondently* Don't worry about it. I'll continue in five days, hopefully with no more tragedies!
Kaoru: Kawaii Sakura: Don't worry- the review box thing mucks me around sometimes too. ^_^ As for your confusion: fluff= created by overload of romance, straw= the only method left to me in order to get air while trapped under said fluff, basket= I'm confused myself now. @_@ Well, if you ever remember, write it on your hand! NOW! *grin* That's what I do to remember things, cos I'm way forgetful. ^_^
D45: Thanks for the nosh! *finishes off beverage with a grin* This chapter's even shorter, so apologies. Ah, well I updated early last time, on Wednesday, so it's Monday today with me updating not Tuesday! *hoping can keep track of the days herself, is easy to lose track in holiday period* So it'll next be updated… er… Saturday! Yes. ^_^ Hm, as for 'oro'… I'm not aware of its having any particular meaning, it's kinda like me saying 'Gah!' all the time: just a random exclamation an individual habitually comes out with when surprised, or hurt etc. Well, the fluff is gone down at last… *breathes in the lovely air* I'll see you on Saturday then!
KittyKatt: Thanks! I'm notorious for being a freak on grammar and spelling- don't get me wrong, I'm always doing typos, but I get really annoyed by bad grammar! *sheepish* I guess it's a good thing overall tho. *cough* Well, back in five days!
Kaoru_kamiya_theRacoonGirl: Ah, Sourjiro, Soujiro, Soujiro… *starry-eyed* He's one of my favourite Kenshin characters. I love him to bits. *cuddles Soujro, who smiles confusedly* ^_^ He's bound to turn up, yes, he's too wonderful not to be involved! But I won't tell about when or how. My secret! *grin*
Me: Hiya! Tell me about it: schoolwork sucks. I've just been inundated with coursework lately, but most of it's over with now. *sigh of relief* Evil coursework… Anyhoo, hope you liked this chapter, despite it's depressing ending: I'll be back in five days with more!
THANK YOU all my readers and reviewers! I'm just gonna leave this stand covered in little medals of gratitude by the door- I made them for all of you cos I'm so chuffed with the enthusiasm and general support you've all given me! You can pick whatever colour you like best! *glomps anyone who comes within reach* I'm so happy! And this story isn't over: those of you who've read the PB will be smirking knowingly, and some of you may be worried, but don't be! We have much story ahead of us! *skips off into the sunset with fluff in her hair and doing the happy dance* Hurrah!
See you in five days!