Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
--Noelie Altito
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A/N: Hey people. I know I haven't been real specific on the ages of the RK group so here they are...hopefully they match that at the time line. There also seems to be some confusion about certain things as well with the characters pairings.
Kaoru Kamiya- 19 single child
Misao- 19, Soujiro- 25 brother and sister, absolutely not an item
Sano-25, Tubsume-15 brother and sister
Yahiko-16 single child
Kenshin- 25, Shura- 20 brother and sister
Aoshi-25, Megumi- 23 brother and sister
Tomoe-23, Enshi-25 brother and sister
Okay and one of you have asked about pronunciation...I will try my best to explain them to you, and you all know how good that's going to be. I really need an editor.
If it bothers you the way I spelled my names and the pronunciation is weird, well I'm really sorry. This is how I say them in my mind.
Pronunciation: Only the ones I think are confusing
-Lands
Land of Aekinia (Ack-in-a)
Kingdome of Kadir (Kad-ear) This is the only way I can explain how I comes in my mind. Sorry.
Kingdom of Anteal (An-teal)
Kingdom of Storlim (Stor-lim)
Kingdom of Bilate (Bill-ate)
Kingdom of Liyla (Lil-e-a)
Kingdom of Drilic (Der-ril-ic)
Capital of Hiten, Sadiva (Sa-diva)
Nation of Uthum (Youth-um)
Tethela Sea (Tea-thell-a)
-People
Duke of Saete (Say-eta)
Princess Ayria Yure Jekel Arobchech (Ay-rah)Only first name
Captain Kleta (Kl-ta)
Sir Hiture (Heat-ure)
If there is anything else that I can do for you just please tell me. Like the lands...I remember two people were confused a little. Let me Explain.
Land of Aekinia is one huge nation and inside that nation lies ten different kingdoms: Kadir, Hiten...so on and so forth. Hiten Rules over all of Aekinia, but gave land away to trusted nobles a long time ago the nation would be easier to manage.
May You Never
Chapter Five: During the Storm
She had jumped. What else was there to do?
It had all started when she was rushed down the vessel in the pouring rain, and was then swept up into a carriage made of champagne satin warmly lit by some form of a glowing candle.
She hadn't even give a proper farewell to the Captain or his crew as her guards were so hurriedly replaced by new ones dressed in velvet crimson and gold, with dark silver swords that their sides; getting drenched in the rain. Really did they have to send guards? She moaned internally.
They started off, down the streets; a constant galloping noise in her ears that would've on any other occasion put her to sleep, but for some reason she felt as though she needed to look outside where little crowds of people were gathering from the inside of their houses and coming out just to see her. She wanted to desperately to say to them, 'Go back inside. You'll catch a cold.' But though she thought this she did nothing.
The city seemed so drab in the rain, but Kaoru just smiled, positive that it was indeed beautiful. Her thoughts were momentarily swayed from the outside of the carriage to what lay before her...him. Battousai the Manslayer; her future husband.
Every time Kaoru tried to say it out loud it never seemed to come; her tongue became numb and heavily. Maybe she just had to meet him first, she shrugged.
"Beloved, look."
A powerful voice rose through the carriage. Startled, she on habit looked outside and paled...a woman...a woman fell suffering. She was covered by filthy robes, and accompanied only by a small child who stood a few feet away from here in the rain; tears streaking down her dreary face. Kaoru noticed the others saw the woman fall, and just stood still as thought they were trying to make a dream go away.
Anger rippled through her.
Within an instant, for that's all that it took, Kaoru pulled off her tiara, throwing it to the side of the carriage and jumped out toppling to the ground from the wetness of the street and the momentum of the carriage. But she didn't care. She got up faster than she ever had and ran. Distantly she heard the screaming of the carriage wheels, distantly she heard the guards yell at her to stop, distantly she heard somewhere in her mind to keep going.
She paid no thought to anything, she just ran to where a small crowd stood, wide eyed, as a princess dressed in silver and white ran towards them passing them and fell next to a woman.
They backed up in disgust just as the guards pushed past them. "Princess? What are you doing? get away from that diseased woman." Scolded the commanding guard. "Rostell, go inform His Majesty what's going on." The solider scurried off.
Kaoru didn't pay attention to any of it though. When someone grabbed her arm she shook it of powerfully, and smiled with kind eyes to the woman and child. Gently she picked up the woman off the cold, wet street, and beckoned for the child.
They smelled like the port, and worse, but still Kaoru just smiled. "Its okay. You're going to be okay." She cooed softy to the woman who looked very young, maybe a use to be prostitute, and she guessed the little brown haired girl with big blue eyes was her daughter.
"Princess get away from her now!" The commanding guard called to her trying to get her away from the diseased woman.
His hand was on her shoulder, but she pushed him away gently, swallowing her anger. Her face was still towards the woman who with startled eyes tried to hide her face as though she had been beaten many times for it.
"Bring the carriage, and get her to the nearest physician." Her orders were soft yet firm. "Come here dear." Kaoru beckoned for the child who gawked at her, and most probably her dress that was now mauled with dirt and wet rain. Thank God the street was stone or else her dress might have been black, but the dress was always replaceable. With scarred steps the child came to her.
"Don't touch them Princess!" The same guard called out.
Her voice rose. "I gave you an order, sir, and you should follow it." She hadn't been that forceful nor her voice so deeply high since she last had an argument with Sano. She could tell that he backed away somewhat and she instantly felt sorry.
"I'm sorry. Just please get her to a doctor."
"But the King's orders-" He was trying to explain to her his duty. She understood, still she didn't care. He should have the duty, or at least the human compassion to help.
"Yes, but he isn't here right now I' am." Her voice was all commanding and gentle. He nodded his head for five men to go fetch the carriage, and he was smiling as he did so. Never had he seen a princess like her; kind, commanding, gentle. It was in that moment that he knew that she was meant for great things, and sworn solemnly by God's loving eyes to always serve her, and the people she loved
He bent down next to her as she tried to sooth both mother and child. 'What's your name ma'am?" Kaoru questioned rubbing the woman's hair. She was very aware that she was horribly diseased, but she was still a human and person that Kaoru couldn't help but love and care for.
"Are you an angel?" The little girl peeped out suddenly, huddling against her side. Kaoru smiled, just now noticing that a crowd had gathered around her. Some with disgusted faces directed at her and the woman, and others surprised and yet...something more...maybe adoration.
"No honey, I'm not." The little girl didn't look sad in the least. A quite, raspy voice spoke up.
"Ruth, she is the new Princess, remember what I told you." It seemed to take allot of strength for the mother to talk because right when she was done she started coughing blood that landed on Kaoru's dress. The guard instinctively tried to pull her away for health reasons, but she stayed put. The crowd gaped in horror and disgust.
"What type of Princess are you?" A man yelled out before he walked off. Kaoru ignored him and the guard paying no heed to her heath raised the woman up so she wouldn't choke on her own blood.
"Hey were going to get you to a doctor, okay." Kaoru tired to help the woman.
"I-I don't have the money." She blasted between coughs. Kaoru just smiled, "You don't have to worry about money. Let me do that." The guard smiled.
"Princess, the carriage." He pointed towards the now nearer carriage. It was still pouring Kaoru noticed, getting back all the rest of her senses.
"Put her in the carriage. I will ride or walk." She commanded as he stood looking kindly at the growing crowd. She was of course angered at them, but didn't show it. Picking up the little girl on her hip, the guard picked up the woman and put her into the carriage.
All eyes were on her as the remaining guards, wide-eyed, and silent in admiration stood a good way from her as thought not to disrupt her. Lowering her head to the crowd in a light bow closing her eyes, surprising the crowd that a princess would bow commoners, and said.
"Treat others the way you wish to be treated." It was quite, except for the pounding of the rain, but everyone heard quite clearly as the guilt settled on their hearts.
"What." Kenshin's voice was steel rather than his normal calm voice. Shura's eyes widened. She had jumped out of her carriage to help some commoner. Sano just leaned back on his heels smirking at Megumi.
"You see. What did I tell you...kind and caring." Sano just made a thumbs up motion when Kenshin's eyes pierced him.
"She was supposed to be here soon. What are all the royals going to think of her?" Kenshin said whipping around on his best friend.
"She's being a disgrace to her Kingdom." Shura put in nonchalantly smiling at her soon to be sister in law. She seemed quite the character, maybe even allot of spunk.
"Sir Ken," Megumi used an old nick name that she had called them since they were little. "You have to admire her for her...you could say devote spirit." Megumi thought inwardly. She may have not talked to Sano in quite a while, but herself being a trained doctor, she felt something akin to forgiveness to the girl.
"Is Hiko aware of this?" Kenshin demanded. The informant only nodded his head out of fear or the ragging Prince. Why was he so vexed?
Kenshin was just about to stride out of the room when a small hand was placed on his shoulder. "Brother, please calm yourself." Shura pleaded. If she knew her brother, which she did, she was aware of the fact that he was going to go saddle up his horse and try to go find the Princess and bring her as quickly as possible to the palace.
He seemed to settled somewhat. "Your right." Why was he so vexed about this affair? It was not as though he cared for the girl. He didn't even know her. Maybe it was because it would reflect badly on him. Yes, that was it; nothing more, nothing less.
"The Royals are in the Throne Room. We might as well get down there and wait." Megumi put in. "Besides, she is in the best of hands Kenshin. You are the one who assigned her guard unit."
They started for the Throne Room. "Yes, but I wish I was there to bring her to the castle. It would have been proper." Kenshin strode ahead of them all setting a very fast pace.
"From the sound of it Kenshin you seem to love the girl already." Sano teased good naturedly. Kenshin only glared, and he shut up immediately. He gave a quick smirk to Megumi pecking her on the cheek.
Through all the long corridors; opened aired and closed, and past many flights of grand staircases they finally reached the entrance to the Throne Room, and the introductions were made. Of course as they walked in there were many pleasantries and other types of protocol to be done, but it soon passed and finally Kenshin was seated nest to his father.
The other Kings from the different kingdoms were seated on smaller chairs that fell below the High King's in stair steps. Kenshin could almost feel everyone woman in the room lust after him. It sickened him and yet he felt a male pride that he could have anyone of them with a simple smile.
He did not look at his father. His presence was always overbearing like his own. The High King stood in a timeless elegance; brown hair swept back to the nape of his neck held back by a leather strap with some strands of hair falling forward. A huge white cape with a crimson hem was draped of his bulky shoulders covering his own black expensive grab. Kenshin felt his brown eyes upon him.
"What is it Hiko." He addressed him always by his first name. His father and himself saw no need to call him anything other than that.
"Your future bride ran into quite the adventure." He snapped his fingers having servants bring him a jug full of sake, and little silver cups.
"I'm not the one who chose her as I recall Hiko." His voice was steady and his eyes never once touched his fathers. They indeed did care for on another, but it wasn't something to be showed publicly or privately. How could he not feel love for his father who had raised him and taught him everything he knew; the good and bad. It was weird though that they were so different.
"My judgment is never false Kenshin." Hiko looked over his people who talked idly to one another gossiping about what just happened to the Princess. "Just listen to those fools speak about her." Kenshin didn't nod he had already been listening with a tight jaw.
"Mari, did you hear about the Princess?"
"Oh, I most certainly did. She jumped out of the carriage to help a diseased commoner. How disgusting it is."
"And just think of her dress. It was probably horrid anyway."
"What type of Princess is she?"
"She might as well be a man, she does their job anyway."
"Someone told me she was beautiful at all."
"How do you know no one has seen her."
"I'm just saying what I heard."
Kenshin heard his father laugh. "The fools. They will see what a princess is supposed to be like when they see her for what she truly is."
"What do you mean?" Kenshin inquired nodding his head towards some delegates. No one interrupted the King and the Prince during this time; everyone was too excited to see what the Princess would be like.
"I had a long talk with Korshiro myself before he left. His daughter is quite the delegate it seems." He laughed. "Duty bound he says, and brings up no silliness. She won't be a problem for you Kenshin."
Kenshin merely nodded. But why did he get the feeling that this girl would bring more problems to him that the one before. But before he could think anymore trumpets sounded off and the room became a deadly still.
Kaoru held the little girl tightly in the carriage. Her mother had passed away, but Kaoru thanked God. At least she had died in a warm bed, and Kaoru had promised her that she would take care off her little one. The brown haired girl had ceased to cry about five minutes ago. Kaoru had tired to explain to her that her mother was in a better place where the people there would treat her with love and kindness; it seemed to have worked a bit.
They were now on their way to the palace and by what Troy had told her they would be there in two minutes.
Troy, she smiled, he turned out quite different that she had expected, and in fact the whole guard unit had changed in the mist of the hour. At first they had been cold and distant, then utterly perplexed by her, and now they seemed to actually like her.
"Ruth, honey," The five year old blue eyes looked at her. "Were almost there okay. I will have you in my room okay, and I will meet you up there later okay." She nodded and settled her head back in her lap. Kaoru smiled at the girl, who it seemed had adopted her.
The carriage came to a stop, and for the first time since the incident Kaoru looked out.
It was huge. Fountain pools stretched far to the sides of her until she couldn't see. The trails of each side of them were canopied by many huge trees.
The main courtyard was made of white stone and had a stretching vertical pool for about two blocks going down to the entrance gate.
Leaves floated around of the side pools that laid a block away from Kaoru on each side, and inside the middle pool laid a huge monument that Kaoru had seen for the docks.
The entrance gate was something she had never seen before either. She was able to see it when she was a mile out on sea. It rose just as the entrance to the Tethela Sea did but had a blue strip tracing down it when it reached the highest peak. It was connected right to the city as well.
Just as Ivory Hall had been.
The city was another thing entirely. It stretched as far she as she could see curving ever so slightly. It had been massive, old, and so many ethereal trees.
The palace was beautiful and far grander and massive than Ivory Hall. It rose to enormous heights just as well as in length. She would surely get lost. It was a maze. It architecture was breath taking as well, so much that Kaoru couldn't express it in words alone.
"Princess." Troy exclaimed holding out his hand.
"Kaoru." She corrected smiling tightly, still holding the girl. She was well aware of the fact that she could get down herself, so to not offend him she asked him to carry the girl. He gladly took her and Kaoru was hand free to step down from the carriage.
A few servants from the palace rushed towards her as she placed on her tiara. The guards stood around her. "Kaoru, don't you think you should change. The women of this court are very harsh." Explained Troy while holding Ruth.
"No different from Kadir's court." Kaoru hid the pain in her voice perfectly. The servants had finally arrived and were about to bombard Kaoru with questions until Troy stopped them.
"Take the Princess to her room with her luggage immediately. She has had a rough night and needs to change before she meets His Majesty." Kaoru thanked him silently and smiled at the rest of the guards telling them she hoped to see them again soon. The men servants were already taking up her luggage and she held out her hand for Ruth who immediately took it putting a thumb in her mouth.
"Princess?" A maid questioned looking curiously at the little girl. Kaoru just smiled.
"This is my new friend Ruth. Will you please help her get adjusted to my room since she will be staying with me and..." Quietly she added, "Her mother just died." The maid looked shocked only for a moment but it was quickly replaced by a warm mother goose smile for Kaoru and the girl.
"Princess if you would follow us." She beckoned to the other three maids.
"Please all of you call me Kaoru." Not paying attention to what she just said they led her through the corridors of the palace.
Some of the halls were open aired, and some of them were closed lighted by enormous chandeliers. The ceilings of the enclosed halls were painted with different scenes of battles, angels, or murals of the kingdom. It was magnificent.
Kaoru couldn't help but gawk, and the little girl was tripping over her feet with excitement.
After what seemed like a eternity they strode into another open aired hallway that stood fours stories above the ground that over looked part of the city and garden as it curved around. Bowing the maid opened the door for her.
The room was exquisite. Deep earth colors adorned every corner, with flowers, and a small angel fountain in the sitting room. Wherever she looked there were crimson, gold, peach, and beautiful tans. The sitting room itself was about the size of her room. The flooring was of peach flag stone that was carpeted here and there, and the walls were hung with paintings of history.
Ruth was practically jumping up and down. "There is another small study or library upstairs." The black haired maid pointed to a winding stair case of the fare corner of the room.
"I have an upstairs." Kaoru mouthed. The maid looked at her awkwardly.
"You also have a beautiful garden view with stairs leading down to it." She smiled at the new Princess doubting that there was ever was person as queer as she was. Wasn't she use to extravagancies?
"Girls, lets get her cleaned up and out of those garments." Kaoru shook to attention. "Altria, please attend to the little one." The youngest girl nodded her head, and was off with Ruth at her hip.
"I can dress myself. I don't want to bother you." Kaoru said walking over to her luggage. "By the way just call me Kaoru. What are your names?"
Clearly the ladies were shocked. Never before had a royal asked of their names. The one who seemed the leader walk up to her smiling. "My name is Cassada." Kaoru smiled and nodded. She was quite beautiful with long wavy ebony hair, and expressive gray eyes.
The next maid's name was Reta. Kaoru had no doubt in her mind that she had by admirers. She was quite a catch with long blond hair braided down her back and green eyes. The last one was named Sermita, a younger looking girl sprinkles with freckles and long auburn hair and blue eyes that made Kaoru envious a little. Even though she had blue eyes, never had she thought them beautiful. In fact, she never saw here self as attractive.
"Now please ladies truly I can dress myself. I have since I was seven." They said nothing, chatting about different things as she cleaned herself. They asked her many questions and she answered them half heatedly, but her mind was elsewhere. It was in her room back in Ivory Hall, she pictured herself in her favorite spot in the garden maze of roses, and in her father's library talking about the country. She missed her home, her land, her people.
"Here wear this." Cassada announced picking a dress that she had never seen before. It had the colors of Hiten; crimson and gold. Nodding she put it on.
"Looks like she was telling the truth, Cassada." Sermita spoke quietly. They nodded their head in approval. Reta picked up her tiara and placed it on her head.
"You're simply beautiful." Kaoru just smiled at the empty flattery. She was never beautiful, but sometimes she could feel that false hope. She walked to the mirror in the other room and looked at herself. It was quite different from her dress.
The crimson dress clung to her body showing off curves that she never knew she had. She had usually worn loose flowing simple gowns of white, but this...this was sensual.
It rose to her throat, sleeveless and then hem of the collar was in gold ribbon that was fitted with rubies and once it got to her knees it flowed out.
She wore gloves of gold that went past her elbows, and her hair was still loose and flowing down her back like raven's wings as it was slightly pulled back the tiara.
"Want make-up?" Kaoru shook her head. She hated make up most of the time. "Are you ready, Kaoru?" She smiled. She was as ready as she ever was going to be, even though she would have preferred a different dress. She felt like a wanton in this, even though it really was that reveling at all.
Her silver tiara shined at the crown of her head. So what if it really didn't match; it was her mothers.
"Princess, a guard in waiting to escort you now." She nodded as a familiar feeling of numbness washed over her. 'Duty, Kaoru. Duty.' She chanted.
She smiled, refreshing her mask that she always wore, and walked out. "Please, take care of Ruth while I'm gone." The nodded and bowed making her sigh.
"Kaoru, don't worry everything will be fine." Troy coaxed as she walked the long halls with her same guard detail. She hadn't even noticed him.
"I'm not worried in the slightest Sir Troy." Her voice was calm, collected, everything that it was suppose to be. He nodded, she sounded fine. Almost as if she had done this time and time before.
They reached the entrance to the Throne Room in a matter of minutes. Troy said it was a short cut. "Breathe now Princess." He walked over to the announcer, and she inwardly shiver. She detested having her named called out as if she were some type of God, she didn't like the attention at all.
The golden door opened, and Kaoru heard the room become a deadly still. Only then did the announcer's voice proclaim.
"Her Highness, from the Kingdom of Kadir, Princess Kaoru Aentel Sispia Kamyia of Ivory Hall, of the Land of Equality." His voice was like a musical instrument; it pounded on her heart. 'Breathe.'
She walked out further passing the announcer who bowed to her. There were so many people. So many eyes upon her.
She heard quite whispers float across the hall. It was big and beautiful just like everything else she had seen.
It vertical length was much bigger than it's width, and the ceiling was painted with dark colored angels and champagne clouds. Chandeliers decorated the top as well, and the side walls of the room were clear glass windows adorned with red satin curtains which held many drawings on them, but still a person could see the gardens and balconies.
She made her eyes strain forward. On the inside she was panicking, but not a single trace was to been seen on her face as she slowly descended the carpeted stairs.
She walked in humble elegance. Not a strand of arrogance was to be seen on her, but she held a quality of leadership and determination. She looked down, and there he was...Battousai...Kenshin Himura, and for the first time in her life her breathe was stolen from her lungs.
He was gorgeous. Perfect as a statue. Long crimson hair that put her dress to shame and amber...no violet eyes. She had never seen such eyes.
Still she had to keep on walking, she couldn't let herself be distracted or else she would lose her concentration on her balance and fall. She would always be innately clumsy.
She couldn't look anywhere but forward. She couldn't look at any other Kings or Queens that graced the High King, she could just look forward.
Suddenly she heard something that made her stop. She was distantly aware that she saw the Prince had got up and start walking towards her in greeting to lead her the rest of the way, but still she looked to her left where nobles stood watching her.
"Look at her. She is so incredibly horrid. Aren't Princess supposed to be beautiful?" A girl snickered lightly.
"You could make such a better Princess than she."
"I mean just look at what she's wearing."
When Kaoru looked at them they stood silent there mouths wide, scarred that the unknown Princess would lash out at them.
Kenshin knew something was wrong he could feel it from those girls. He had heard them when he was close enough. Years and years of training and battle experience made his hearing above average. And what he heard made his blood boil.
True she wasn't the most gorgeous woman in the world. He had seen many of those; all fake. But she, this Princess, captured his heart and made his head swarm. This was bad. She was lovely. Natural and simple, yet not plain, and her dress...it was though a fall angel had walked in. It showed just the right amount of curves, and just enough for the imagination.
And she was his.
He still walked towards her, he wanted to throw those girls out but what she did next astonished him as well as everyone else in the room.
Kaoru looked back at them, not mad, but her eyes were full of kindness, love...and sorrow. She smiled sweetly at them and bowed her head curtsying a bit and walked on leaving them to freeze in their own weakness.
Kenshin barely had time to recover from his shock, that was monetary, before she wan in front of him bowing lowly to the red carpet.
"My Prince." Her voice was quite yet strong, and sweet as honey. He contained his smile, holding out his hand.
"Welcome to Hiten, Princess Kaoru."
A/N: Sorry guys...its kind of another cliff hanger. I hope ya'll liked it! I tried my best if that counts for anything. I hope that Kaoru to ya'll doesn't seem fake, and don't worry this story won't be sad the whole time...but you know how Kaoru is. I should give her a big flaw to make her seem more real. Nah, I got an idea anyway...you guys already know it. She is detached from the world, and lives sometimes unrealistically: duty bound all the time....I don't know.
Well got to go for now. Please Read and Review.
Don't You Just Hate Me,
CrypticMaidenRK
