Disclaimer: The Princess Bride is not mine, and Rurouni Kenshin isn't either. None of it. Not even, like, Ayame. Someone would probably notice even if I just nicked her. Geez.
Author's Note: AHA! The time has come… Oh yes, the time has now come for you to learn who Inigo and Fezzik, and Vezzini of course, will be played by!
Once again, I must stress that I have spent a Long Time thinking about these choices, so the ones I've made are chosen for a Reason. Okay? ^_^ So don't have a go at me please!
PLEASE READ (important note): I'm just gonna lay this point out on the board: not all of the RK cast will be in this fic. I'll be trying my best but only within the realms of respect and reality. This isn't because I'm malicious and evil, or biased, it's because there's only so many parts to be played and I'm NOT going to make up squillions of new parts just for the sake of saying, 'Hey look, another RK character who wouldn't otherwise have been in this!'
Because I'm NOT gonna compromise my loyalty to the Princess Bride that way. Okay? So please don't tell me off for not including any particular character, okay?
The point is made. ^_^
Cheers all!
The Princess Bride: Kenshin Style TwelveKaoru had been dressed like a doll for the great announcement: the Prince had seen to that, demanding for her a kimono of silk and patterning richer than Kaoru had ever seen before, a beautiful, rich red colour, with a design of twining flowers and leafy branches growing gently across it in shades of gold. She'd tried not to notice how alike the colour of the silk was to her farm boy's bright hair.
And now, stood in her kimono, by her Prince's side, Kaoru waited in the doorway that led to a grand balcony, where a sea of faces awaited her, all gazing up at the balcony expectantly.
She wondered if she would faint, as a flutter of nervousness possessed her. It must have shown on her face, for the Prince turned his head fractionally, though keeping his eyes ahead, and said, "Don't be afraid: that is a sign of weakness. You are too beautiful for them not to admire you, and too powerful, as my future wife, for them not to respect you."
His calmly spoken words soothed her disturbed spirit, though it surprised her that he had said such things. He hadn't been warm or comforting, really… His tone had been too distant for that. But he had undoubtedly spoken in reaction to her nervousness. He had been paying attention to her, whether it looked like he was or not.
Setting the thought aside, Kaoru turned to face the balcony, pushing down her nerves and lifting her chin proudly, as if to defy the whole world to intimidate her.
Shishio smiled slightly to himself. His fiancé was strong.
He stepped away from her, out into the bright daylight. She waited in the doorway for her introduction.
"My people, I thank you all for gathering here today for this important occasion." Only a few could have noticed the underlying boredom in the Prince's voice: Kaoru was one of them. She'd known him long enough now to recognise it. "You must already know of my father's long illness, and it has become appropriate for me to marry, in preparation for the inevitable. I now introduce to you my choice, my fiancé: Princess Kaoru." He turned and gestured to Kaoru to walk out onto the balcony.
She stepped obediently out and took her place beside him.
The crowd quite literally gasped: it was quite a sound, with so many there, like the rushing of a great wave up a shore. They had never seen such a beautiful woman before: hair like flowing black silk, skin creamier than ivory, eyes brighter and bluer than the sky on a summer's day.
The Prince took her hand and lifted it, showing the simple, symbolic touch to the watching crowds.
They cheered, the sound surging up to Kaoru like a roll of thunder, though far more welcome to her ears.
The Prince turned to his young fiancé with a knowing smile. The words 'I told you so' were gleaming in his proud eyes.
"That will be enough, for now," he said, beginning to lead her back inside the palace.
"Wait," Kaoru said, an impulse suddenly rising in her. The Prince stopped, waiting for her to explain herself.
"I wish to walk among them- to see them properly. Some of them have been waiting there for many hours…"
Her fiancé looked at her for a moment, and suddenly nodded, once. He would indulge her in this sudden wish. It would only make the people love her, and consequently, him, the more for seeing her up close, and for the favour she would be showing them all in the act.
Kaoru appeared from a doorway at ground level minutes later, still in all her splendour. The crowd parted to let her pass among them, eyes wide and shining at the sight of her. All those near her reached out to her, wanting to touch beauty of a kind that they had never before imagined. A quiet murmur of appreciation ran through the crowd as she walked bravely forward in their midst.
Most of the people gathered there would never forget that day. None there had been so close to perfection before. The vast majority fell in love with her instantly. There were some, the older and wiser, who decided to withhold their judgement until she was made queen, and proved what kind of ruler she would be. Some few were jealous of her, of course, and a very few even hated her.
And only three of them were planning to kill her.
Kaoru walked on, blissfully unaware, smiling kindly at everyone and walking with the most correct posture she could muster, as she had been taught. She was so absorbed in trying to appear regal and yet friendly- she hated to think anyone would guess her lowly origins and proclaim it as if it were a sin, or think that she looked arrogant- and was so busy trying to keep her nervousness under control, that if anyone had told her death was standing so close to her, she probably would have laughed.
And yet…
In the farthest corner of the square…
In the tallest tower, commanding a view of the entire event…
In the darkest of shadows, away from the broad sunlight…
…The man in black stood waiting.
His kimono and hakama were black, black like a starless night. The sheath at his side, holding his sword, was black like raven's wings. His tabi and geta were black as jet. His face was hidden by a black mask, black like the flash in his eyes, eyes that glittered with a cruel and deadly light…
Kaoru collapsed onto the end of her grand bed, exhausted. It had been a long day, draining in more than one way. She was just thinking of having a little nap when someone knocked quietly at the door.
Looking down to check that her clothing was still all in place, and smoothing her hair quickly, she called, "Yes? You may enter."
To her surprise, the door opened to reveal the Prince. Kaoru stood up, taking full advantage of what height she had. She hated feeling that the Prince was- quite literally- looking down on her. He still had to anyway: he was a good foot taller than her.
"Oh, good evening, my Prince," she said in surprise, a little ruffled. She ran a hand down the front of her perfect kimono self-consciously.
"Good evening," he said abruptly, striding towards her. She took a step back, only to find the bed against the backs of her legs. However, before he reached her, he seemed to change his mind, and strode off to the window, where he halted, his back to Kaoru, one hand resting on his hip, poised gracefully in the broad afternoon sunlight.
Kaoru waited, feeling more than a little puzzled. The Prince seemed to be out of sorts somehow… disturbed by something. He seemed annoyed: there was an undercurrent of dark tension thrumming through the room, Kaoru felt.
Before she could peruse the thought further, the Prince spoke, without turning. He barely ever seemed to actually look at Kaoru, she noted with a furrowed brow.
"So. The engagement is official now."
Quiet fell. He didn't move. Kaoru supposed he wanted a reply from her. Still confused, she tried to think of something to say, but there wasn't anything.
"Yes," she finally agreed, simply.
He shifted his weight. She just watched him, not knowing what he was getting at.
"Are you certain of your decision? There can be no going back now, even if you aren't."
Ah. Here was territory Kaoru recognised: though the Price had not brought up this subject more than a couple of times, it had been an unspoken tension between them at all times. Kaoru's staid adhesion to her word created friction against the Prince's cold disdain whenever they went near each other.
She simply gave the answer she'd given before. "I made a promise. I will hold to it," she said calmly.
He turned around suddenly to face her. His eyes seemed especially dark with the light behind him the way it was.
"You always talk of your promise. Always of your duty." He took a step towards her. Kaoru's mind suddenly filled with the memory of the night he had spoken to her in a way just like this, the night he had kissed her. She closed her eyes to the sight of him, turning her head away.
The pained look on her face struck him somehow. She really found it difficult to be alone in the same room as him, it seemed. Well, she would learn. He would show her what he expected of her, as he had that night… He would teach her until she knew the lesson by heart. His eyes went cold, an opposition to the constant fire that burned within him.
He walked over to her. She didn't move, only stood, her face turned away from him, her eyes closed, still that almost flinch-like look on her face. Sudden anger flared up in him as he looked at her expression.
"To be strong is to be unhindered by emotion. We are alike, you and I: both strong. Both emotionless."
At his quiet, icy words, Kaoru opened her eyes, slowly, afraid to see his face so near to her own, gazing down into his, as if waiting to touch her.
When she did open her eyes, it was only to see the door closing. It shut quietly: her fiancé was beyond the pettiness of slamming a door.
Emotionless.
Was she emotionless?
Kaoru stood in a strangely calm kind of shock. Had she lost her feelings about life, about other people? She had felt so cold and numb since Kenshin's death…
The Prince seemed to feel the need to define Kaoru, to classify her in his mind: in this case, as emotionless, as someone like himself. Was he right?
Something whipped fiercely up in Kaoru's chest with startling suddenness. She knew the answer.
No. If she were emotionless, she wouldn't be so damned angry with the Prince right then.
With a fiery look in her eyes, she stormed out of the room. She was going for a ride.
Daylight still filled the sky, though with a dim, weak light, as Kaoru reached the southern slopes of the palace grounds, far away from the palace and any other places of obvious civilisation. She wanted to be away from all of it for a while.
She was still really annoyed. How dare he assume such things about her? It was unbearable. Kaoru's brow was already knitted in irritation, and she gazed intently at her pony's mane as she rode along, completely caught up in her bad mood.
"Excuse me," said a voice.
Kaoru glanced up, and her anger cleared from her face, surprise and curiosity taking its place. Now these were three of the strangest people she had ever seen, she thought to herself.
The trio were all very different. At the front stood a stern, almost middle-aged looking man with black hair, and quite a businesslike look to him. To his left was a young man: on second glance, he looked to be well below twenty. He had a polite smile on his smooth face. To the right stood a tall man: at least a foot taller than Kaoru, had she not been on her pony: as it was, he was nearly level with her. He had spiked hair and a red strip of cloth tied across his brow, giving him the appearance of a street fighter.
As Kaoru quickly took the strange group in, she managed to reply politely, "Yes? Can I help you?"
The man in the centre spoke again. "We are newly-arrived to this area, and were wondering if there were any inns nearby where we could stay."
Kaoru shrugged inwardly. What a curious bunch of people. "Well, there's plenty in the main city, but from here… There isn't really anything for miles," she said apologetically.
The younger man was still smiling genially.
The man who had spoken suddenly smiled at her as well. This was not a pleasant smile.
"Is that so? Then there will be no one to hear you scream."
Kaoru took a gasped breath to try anyway, but before a sound could escape her lips, the tall man had stepped close and reached up to her, and in the same instant, darkness claimed her.
When Kaoru woke, night had fallen. She couldn't see it, but the smell in the air, and the faint breeze that touched her hands, bound behind her back, told her it was so. The sound of water slapping gently against wood, as well as a faint rocking motion, informed her that she was in a boat. That was as much as she could deduce so far. There was cloth over her eyes that blinded her, and the cords that were wrapped tightly around her wrists kept her still, lying in a fairly awkward position in the bottom of the boat.
With admirable presence of mind, Kaoru stayed perfectly still, keeping her breathing relaxed and regular. Surely it would be an advantage for whoever was near to think she was still unconscious.
Sure enough, voices sounded out around her.
"I think you should kill her now."
Kaoru's heart froze, skipped a couple of feather-beats, and froze again.
"Funnily enough, what you think is of no importance to me."
That was the voice of the man who had spoken to her in the woods. There was a pause, and Kaoru was sure she heard the faintest, lowest of growls right beside her. The closeness of the sound was accounted for as a blanket was swept lightly over her, keeping out the cool night wind. She didn't move.
"I decide when she dies, and that is that." It was the same voice.
The voice that had growled- Kaoru recognised the low timbre in its tone- spoke up again. "I still think-"
"Stop thinking! It is decided. She must be found dead on the edges of the great forest bordering the western side of Tokyo. If that does not happen, we don't get paid. Is that clear enough for you?"
A third voice spoke up. The lighter tone suggested to Kaoru that it was the boy talking. "You needn't be so serious about everything, Hoji. We understand." There was the sound of a smile in his voice: it called to Kaoru's mind the smile the boy had been wearing before.
The growler spoke again. Kaoru had deduced that it must be the street fighter's voice. "You don't have to treat me like an idiot. Too many treat me like I'm completely stupid, just because I'm tall and strong. Chuh." The little ending sound came across as just an annoyed exclamation.
"People think you're stupid because you are stupid, not because of your strength." Hoji's voice was scathing.
Quiet fell for a few minutes. Kaoru listened to the sound of the sail flapping gently in the wind, and the slap-slap, slap-slap of the water.
"This will cause quite a stir, I should think," remarked the boy. "This Princess has become pretty popular with the people. They won't like it when the news comes out that she's dead." His voice was so calm, Kaoru thought.
There was an irritated sigh. "That is the point, Soujiro. To create open war, so to speak, against the remaining rebellious clan. The Princess dies, they get the blame, the final stand against the royal family is quashed, and we get paid. We'll likely get more jobs after this, too, if we do it well."
"I would rather you hadn't taken the job," said the boy.
"The price was too high for me to turn it down, and you know my respect for our employer. You'll appreciate it in the end."
"I just don't like the idea of killing a girl," the boy said neutrally.
"How about if we just tell her we're kidnapping her for ransom money? That wouldn't scare her too much," said the street fighter.
"Too late. She's been awake long enough to hear everything we've been saying," said Hoji.
Kaoru's heart froze again.
"Isn't that right, you're Highness?" sneered Hoji from nearby.
"She's kept very quiet: she isn't so stupid, Hoji," smiled the voice of the boy.
"It doesn't matter. We'll be at the Cliffs in about another hour: our destination isn't too far from there. The Prince won't be too far behind, I should think: he'll find her mutilated corpse still warm. It's a pity we won't be able to stay for the scene: the Prince's fury should be truly poetic."
Kaoru couldn't help wondering why Hoji was spilling out his plans in her hearing like this.
The boy's voice came suddenly from the darkness, softly, right by her ear. She hadn't even heard him crouch beside her. "You should go back to sleep for a while, my lady," he said.
Kaoru felt like pleading, please, I don't want to die, but she knew she would get no sympathy. She barely had time to frame the thought.
Soft fingers touched her expertly at her temple, shoulder, and neck, and she fell back into blackness.
Author's note: There we have it! Hope I've made some people happy. ^_^ More is on the way, of course! I wanted to update all three of my current fics today- I think I might faint or blow a fuse or something any moment, just for the trying. 0.o As it is, I didn't manage it: I've run out of time, and my dying breath, or rather my dying move was to submit this update. Be glad in your memories of me, please… *passing out*
Anyway, seeya in five days!
Notes to reviewers: (the replies are on a diet this time because I'm seriously out of time: I need to post this now or it won't be up until tomorrow!! *wrings hands*)
Thank you to Shattered Reflection (Can't kill yourself! Kenshin always told people off who thought of doing that! ^_^), incoherence (I hear ya… *chucks a knife at Shishio, who ducks and glares*), Demon Neko-Chan, LittleDragon5 (*offers a bucket sympathetically*), name@bio-used2beveofmirkwood, MegumiFuu (yeh, there is a pervading idea of *something* between Enishi and Kaoru, isn't there?), Shizuka (No! It's ending isn't near! I don't know where you heard that, but we have a way to go yet), Zeh Wulf (Yeh, I felt that way about the book: Buttercup seemed to relaxed about everything. There wasn't much about how she really felt: or the Prince, for that matter. Glad you liked how I dealt with it! ^_^ And thanks for the mention of my chapter length: some a pretty short, I know, but I have this weird internal timer that just says 'That's enough' at a certain point. It has worked well up to this point, so… ^_^), Mary (I'm sorry! You're mentioned now! I didn't see you last time I guess. And yes: looks do count. *ogles Kenshin* *drool* ^_^), Vash-chan AKA Makoto Almasy (^_^ thanks, I hope you liked these choices too. And don't worry: I'll be watching over Kaoru with authorial and motherly eyes. ^_^), Celeste Rose (*eats the candy and apple pie* How did you know I love apple pie? ^_^), Skipper (Ah, K/K.. yes, many are pining for it. Myself included. But there are plot lines to be respected first, I'm afraid! ^_^ I agree with the sentiment, though.), Rhiley (thanks ^_^), silver-garcia (thank you! Adversity is indeed the basis of a good romance: 'the course of true love' and all that, eh? ^_^), TenkunoMeiou, awc (Nah, Kaoru had to contect herself with plain water to flush Shishio's kiss from her system. Poor thing. Er… *prods awc with a stick* Haven't you regained consciousness yet? … *sidles away whistling innocently*), AniPrinzess, faerie-chan (The Count is the 6 fingered man in the PB: don't worry, the eplanation for that one in my version will emerge in time… ^_^), monkeysme (thank you ^_^ Just keep guessing: you only have five days until you'll know the answer, methinks… *wink*), KittyKatt (computers can be very evil. Thanks for the support of my character choices!), koishii (Thanks! Don't worry, as this chapter shows, Kaoru won't be in the hands of the Prince forever.. Whether that turns out to be worse or better you'll have to wait and see!), hippoclymae (yes, I was surprised no one had already done it: more than happy to do it myself tho. ^_^ And here you have an answer of your own! Yes, it is very time-consuming, especially with these more recent chapters which I've had quite a few reviews for: every time I say 'I'll just be really brief' and I can't help it, I end up with huge replies!! Like this one! *laughs* And your comment that commended my way with words had me grinning like an idiot for about an hour. I'm hopeless. ^_^), Sasami9876 (The promise was to marry the Prince. Don't be sorry for talking too much! My reviews tend to go on forever… *sheepish grin*), Staci/Nadia (*hisses gleefully at the Prince* …In other words, I share your notion. ^_^), Sailor Cosmos, Silver Eyes Bright (I'm clamming up on all plot details, so you'll have to wait and see! ^_^ But Kenshin would be a formidable enemy, surely.), Jellybob 15 (*dives to keep a## out of reach* ^_^ Thanks- I enjoyed imagining Kaoru's thoughts.), NightRain (You have no idea how happy your review made me: I was really satisfied with chapter eleven, like I said in my note at the end, but I didn't know why- and you pointed it out to me. It's true, that chapter was more me than anything. I enjoyed writing it so much. ^_^ This chapter has Goldman looming over it again, but that isn't such a bad thing. ^_^ Thank you very much, NighRain!), Tevrah, Vixie (Nope, I'm not famous. Akari's not even my real name, so should Akari become famous, I'd still be unknown! *grins* But your comment made me smile a lot. I'm chuffed, that's for sure. And you're so lucky: Cartoon Network in the UK isn't showing Kenshin. I had to buy it on Ebay! But at leats that means I have Kenshin on tap… *drool*), TwinBakaNekos (thank you), Mewberries (I know what you mean about Enishi: here's a secret for you, I don't know him all that well either, having not seen the movie he's in when he's grown up. But I'm taking a leap of faith and trying my best! ^_^ And yes, the splicing together of the storylines has given me more headaches than the chipmunks that took up residence in my head last year. *weak smile* It's working out well so far though, so I'll just keep going! *watches colours going by* Pretty ^_^), pretty Luthien, Kikiki (*offers a small piece of fluff she'd been saving from chapter eight* It'll only fade away soon anyway, you might as well have it. *feeling sad* I'll get together some more soon, I promise.), Papaya! (Glad to see how much you've mastered the happy dance! *does a happy dance herself* Hurrah! Don't worry, it's all moving on again now! And I know whatcha mean about Enishi… I have plans for him… ^_^ *joins in* I love Sano! I do I do I do-oooo! *laughs* I read that part of your review out loud in the right voices, you know… Man, I need medication… ^_^), genocide ex-sync*in (Oro-chan! *giggles* That's such a cute name for him! And I'm not evil enough to leave Kaoru with Shishio. I let her get kidnapped instead. *grin*), EvilPrincessMelphis (Yes- the ROUS cannot go without a mention, they're too cool and er… they're giant rodents. ^_^), dunkmoonX, D45 (Hey, thank you so much! The part about the last line- I was really proud of that. ^_^ *hits Shishio with a stick* Take that! Evil! *puts on the medal proudly* Thank you! *happy dance*), Queen of Shadows (I love Moulin Rouge! ^_^ Unfortunately, Sano didn't make the final cut for Inigo, simply because his strength suited Fezzik and plus… Soujiro!!!! *cuddles Sou* So CUTE! Okay, anyway… ^_^), Cherry Delight (Aha! No Sano for Inigo: I knew everyone expected that assignment, but it is not to be! And Aoshi couldn't be the Prince, cos the Prince is horrible and Aoshi is cool! Anyhoo, hope you liked this chapter. ^_^), Shadowfax (the Fire Swamp will probably be in a couple of chapter's time. But it will be there, in full spirit!), Dark Duelist (no way! Kaoru could never love… *shudder* Shishio! Ugh. Glad you're enjoying tho!), lidmoon02, Corran Nackatori (*picks up video with a grin* Thanks! More on the way! And I won't be lonely in my hermitage with Kenshin around… *drool*), Fire Fly (*takes Coke away* Enough of that for you! *giggle* Glad you're happy and enjoying ym story! ^_^), Lil summoner yuna (thank you!), Swedish-me (I'll let you speculate as to Kenshin… my authorial notes are top-secret ^_^), Battousai lovr (thanks ^_^), Strawberry Gum (thank you! ^_^), DarkElf (*nicks a pointy object from DarkElf and chucks it at Shishio* hehehe), Redhead Samurai (ah, when you meet Shishio you'll be certain to hate him: he's purely evil. It's good that you read the book: it's well worth it. ^_^), Volleygurly (yep, England is cool! ^_^), Mistress of Time (*throws a rock at Cartoon Network*), Lady E (Thanks! I'm proud of it. It's so much fun bringing everything together, even if it does give me major headaches at times… *falls over* oof.), Himura Kenshin (eh?), c0mb4t_t3h_m0nk3h (*takes the lint dubiously* er.. ^_^ Thanks!), Sailor Emerald (the author notes in the book are great! Really amusing. ^_^ *Offers one of those spy-pens that shoots lasers* Don't give up on the dream. *wink*), BattousaisLover (thanks! ^_^).
*collapses*
*someone prods her with a stick to check that she's not dead*
*nothing happens*
*A small letter is found beside her saying 'If I faint with exhaustion, please don't worry: I'll be back with more in five days. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter: please leave a review to welcome me back to the world of the living. xx'*