Crimson Rose
Written By DemonicShdAngel
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.
Side Note: Their clothes is basically like the ones that you see in RK the anime.
Ages:
Kaoru: 17-years-old
Kenshin: 28-years-old
Megumi: 21-years-old
Misao: 16-years-old
Tsubame: 11-years-old
Slave Rankings:
Red Rose Slaves...Work in the palace for the Dark Lord.
Orange Lily Slaves...Work in the homes of the Lords.
Blue Violet Slaves...Work in the Black Seed Fields.
Yellow Daisy Slaves...Work in the factories that are used to turn Black Seeds into a power source.
Green Clover Slaves...Work in the mines searching for coal and crystals.
Chapter Two
Sapphire orbs were revealed as the people within what seemed like a carriage with velvet cushioning all smiled at the girl with what seemed like extreme relief that she had awaken. The 17-year-old looked up from her position in lying on one side of the carriage, sitting up she realized that she was in the same carriage as the two royal guardsmen that had hurt her saviors. She glared at them angrily for what they did, but made sure that she didn't yell at them just in case they would hurt her too.
"We're glad that you've awaken Crimson Rose," said the Leader of the royal guard of the area that she was just in; he smiled at her apologetically, hoping that she wouldn't tell their Dark Lord how inappropriately they had acted towards her.
"Where am I, and why are you calling me the Crimson Rose?" asked Kaoru confused as she looked at the two for answers.
"You're in Shadow Kingdom, and headed towards the royal palace where you'll be able to reunite with Lord Ken…. I mean Lord Battousai," said the second in command who sat beside the other man.
"Shadow Kingdom…but that's just a legend…" said Kaoru barely above a whisper as her hand went instinctively to her neck as she touched the pendant that still hung around her neck.
"What did you say my Lady?" asked the Leader.
"Nothing, but why am I different from the other red rose slaves?" asked Kaoru as she cocked her head at them; taking both of them by surprise.
"You must have bumped your head and forgotten, maybe that's why you were in the Black Seed fields. Well, the reason is because your wrist has a mark of a rose and only the Crimson Rose has a golden heart shape within the red rose. As Crimson Rose you are the Dark Lord's Mistress," explained the second in command, the man seemed a bit uneasy in her presence.
Kaoru couldn't believe her ears, she was now positive that for some reason she had fallen into her favorite night time story since the day she had first heard it from her mother. But in the story the Prince was very young and it's been close to 12 years since she'd first heard it...it meant that the Prince had to be at least 40; that was if he really was 28 when her mother had told her the story... She shuddered at the thought that she was to be with a man that old; she was only 17! They'd be 23 years apart and she wasn't sure that she would want to be with anyone that she didn't know.
"Are you feeling alright my Lady?" asked the Leader as he looked at her, concerned for her health; if anything happened to her it'd be on his head and he sure as hell didn't want to get on His Majesty's bad side.
"How much longer before I return to the palace?" asked Kaoru as she tried to act as normal as she could so that they wouldn't suspect her.
"In a few minutes; we sent a recruit ahead to announce your return," said the second in command.
"Good," lied Kaoru calmly as she sat back into her seat and just stared off out at the window; the planet looked just like she had imagined it for over a decade.
The two men traded smiles as the carriage that was dragged by two white horses trotted towards the black castle on the hill; their destination.
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"Impudent creature; are you questioning me? I did not choose a Crimson Rose, and there isn't one and there will never be one! My Crimson Rose died long ago, and no one is going to take her place not ever. You're a fool, and this girl that they're bringing should be killed for trying to impersonate her!" shouted a man in a large thrown room as he glared at the two cowering soldiers who were bowing on the ground to their King.
"But Lord Battousai, she has the golden heart within her red rose mark," said the taller of the two soldiers, as he bowed so low that his forehead touched the back of his hand.
"I made no such mark on anyone!" said the red haired King, his voice dropping dangerously in volume as it sent shivers down his soldiers' spine.
The King of Shadow Kingdom glared at his men with enraged golden orbs that seemed to be sucking the very light of the room, causing the Throne Room to become nothing but darkness. Black silk covered his skin as his red cape engulfed his frame like blood; his hands clenched in anger at the news that was given to him.
Tracing the single cross-shaped scar that was on his left cheek with his left forefinger, he shut his eyes as the tension in the room grew.
"Bring the maiden to me," ordered the King, the command in his voice causing the two soldiers to spring to their feet and bow to him with their heads before they left to do as they were told.
Standing up, he allowed his crimson cape to fall to the floor as he walked towards the windows that were covered with red velvet curtains. Opening the curtains, his eyes looked out towards his land and then up towards the sky to the red moon.
"I still haven't forgotten you koishii, and I vow to you that I never will; no one will," said Battousai his voice echoing through the darkness.
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Kaoru stared at the infamous Black Castle, her eyes widening just like a child's when they first go to a fair. She could feel a dark aura from within, but she could also feel that something wasn't right. There was a reason behind the darkness of this place, and she was close to tears as she remembered the old tale that her mother had told her before.
"Watch your step," said the Leader as he helped her out of the carriage so that she could see the castle up close.
"Welcome to Black Castle my Lady," said the second in command with a smile to Kaoru as they walked towards the stone doors.
Kaoru nearly screamed as the doors swung open and two pale soldiers rushed out, stopping only to glare at Kaoru as if she had ruined their lives.
"What happened?" asked the Leader, and leaned in when one of the shorter of the two soldiers whispered something into his ears.
"Let's get you inside," said the co-leader as he led Kaoru to Black Castle's entrance.
"What about…." Began Kaoru, but the Leader only forced a smile and nodded for her to enter.
Confused and unsure on what to do, Kaoru could only follow the other man to where she could only presume was where the King was.
"Why aren't there any guards within the castle?" asked Kaoru curiously as she looked around and only noticed the lovely decorations inside the castle.
"Our Lord doesn't need any," said the taller man as he led her into a large hallway that was at least twice the size of the small cabin that she had just been in a few hours ago.
"What if the castle was raided?" asked Kaoru as her eyes wandered the corridors.
"The fools who have tried before have been executed in the cruelest ways possible. The people know better than to try and go up against His Majesty," answered the man when they reached a twin set of black stone doors; in the very center was a carving of a rose.
"Wow," was all that Kaoru could get out of her mouth as she saw the marvelous doors open to reveal a dazzling chamber and even the aura within was outstanding.
The dark room was lit by the red moon outside, giving the entire Throne Room a mysterious and scary feel, yet there was a warm presence that gave the room a comfortable feeling. At first the 17-year-old could have sworn that the room was filled with tension, but the moment that she felt the rays of the moon fall onto her skin she immediately felt the feeling leave her. Eyes wandering the room curiously, she nearly jumped when a deep and charming voice spoke up.
"Leave the room."
'That's not the sound of an old man…. I wonder how long it's been since his real love passed away…' Thought Kaoru as the voice drifted through the entire Throne Room.
Kaoru's eyes searched frantically around the room for the source of the voice but found nothing but shadows all around her. She nearly wanted to leave with the soldier, but forced herself to stand still as the doors closed shut after the man bowed and left.
"Y-your Majesty, you and I both know that I'm not the Crimson Rose. I-I'm sure that you'd have known that something was up, well b-because you obviously didn't place this mark on anyone…" began Kaoru, but shivered when she felt the wind against her body.
Moving trembling hands against her arms, sapphire orbs tried to make out the rest of the room and the source of the voice that sent shivers down her spine, yet at the same time excited her for reasons unknown. Looking around, she thanked the Heaven's that the moon was out to allow her to make out the faintest details of the room. Scanning the ground, she knew that the carpet was red; the walls were made of stone, and with the dim light she could make out the single large throne made of what seemed like gold in the back of the room, the rays of the moon directed right at it.
"Why are you so scared, koishii?" asked a youthful voice right next to her left ear, causing the teenager to jump and turn around but saw nothing but the overwhelming darkness all around her.
Heart pounding in her ears she took a few steps back, her hands clutched her heart as she moved deeper into the red light that cascaded her entire form from above.
"Crimson Rose," said the masculine voice as if unbelieving that she was actually before him.
"I-I'm not the Crimson R-rose," said Kaoru, trying to sound seriously calm but failing terribly as her voice wavered.
"But you're Kaoru, you're my Crimson Rose."
Kaoru's breath caught as her eyes widened when the King of Shadow Kingdom revealed himself in the moonlight.
A/N: I know it's short, but I really wanted to get this out. Plenty of errors, I know, but I'll try and revise my stories once I get the chance.