AN: Yay, reviews! Thanks so much you guys! 'Gain, this is a re-telling of Beauty and the Beast (BatB), if you haven't got that into your thick heads yet. :smiles merrily:
Responses:
You guys rock my socks, float my boat, and tickle my fancy XD The chapter is dedicated to my REVIEWERS!
Monkeysme: Oh yes, being mysterious rocks! Eriol is super mysterious and his chair contains many of the same qualities… hmm… hehe, well, I hope you like the chapter and please review!
Kaori-Angel: O.O Wow! Caps and :counts: 21 awesomes! Dude, you made my day ;) Thanks so much for reviewing! I hope you like this chapter!
Jodibetz: Aw, thanks! I hope you like this chapter as well!
Story Weaver1: Hehe, thanks so much! I hope you like the chapter!
Alia: Thanks so much! Oh, minor mistake on your part ;) you said: please review soon. I'm always doing that too. I would write: please enjoy the review, or please update, instead of please enjoy the update, and please review. -.-; Thanks for (updating) reviewing!
Bradybunch4529: Thanks so much! Lol, can you guess why :cough: Hitokiri :cough: Thanks for reviewing!
Winterlight6: LOL, were you being sarcastic? Haha, s'ok if you were and thanks if you weren't! ;) There's a lot of other BatB stories for RK, I think. I've only seen one, but friends tell me there's more. I'm glad you like the story! I hope you like the chapter as well!
Ame no Neko: LOL! What are you talking about! There's a lot of good fanfiction here! It just takes a bit of digging ;) Oh yes, and the whole Sanosuke thing, I fixed it. I'm so sorry I didn't catch that mistake… God, sometimes I'm such a blonde! LOL no offense if you are one ;) Thanks so much for reviewing! And yes I wished Belle (with an e) was a bit more… I don't want to say 'kick-ass'… lol but I think that's the only way I can describe it. And yes, long weekends are practically my reason of survival ;) Lol, I say 'and yes' a lot, don't I:D
turtlerad17: thanks! I'm glad you like it.
Silveryoukoshinomori: Thanks for the review! I hope you like the chapter!
Minchi: Thanks! I hope you like the update!
Moonmage: Thanks for reviewing! I hope you like the chapter!
Skenshingumi: Really? No way… I've only seen one other BatB story. I didn't really read it though… I'm so glad you like my story! I hope you like the chapter and thanks for reviewing!
Fantasy angel Victoria: Omgosh! That does not leave this… web page? Serious! That is such a big mistake, and I can't believe I didn't catch it. Time to get a beta… Uhm, wow, I'm so happy you like it! I thought up this story a long time ago and I saw all these people on their profiles saying that they were going to post a re-telling of BatB so I posted mine quickly. :D and yeah, that little detail's really big! x.x I can't believe I didn't catch it… well, I hope like this chapter! Thanks for reviewing :)
Neko-Yuff16: As a kid, I used to watch Disney movies all the time and Beauty and the Beast (as well as Sleeping Beauty) were like my favourites! Thanks for reviewing and I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Opal Bean: lol, if you think that that was a while since I updated, m'dear, I hope you don't read any of my other stories because the average time for my updates is around 2-4 months. :) Anywho, thanks a lot for reviewing my story and don't worry, I wouldn't abandon this for the world! Unless, of course, someone offered me the world… then I wouldn't be so sure. Anywho, sorry for babbling like that. Read the update and review! Please and thank you!
Sou-chans' gurl 4-ever- lol, yes, Soujiro-kun is pretty cool. I hope you like the update!
Beautiful
Chapter Two… The one they call Battosai
Note: Rurouni Kenshin doesn't belong to me, but to the great Watsuki-sama! All hail the great master! Beauty and the Beast belongs to… Disney? Hail him too! Actually, I don't know who owns Beauty and the Beast, so don't quote me on anything. Tub idea belongs to J.K. Rowling, from the Harry Potter book: Goblet of Fire. Dress idea comes from Gail Carson Levine's Ella Enchanted. That's a really good book, I totally recommend it. Chapter includes: intro to Kenshin, more footnotes, the servants' names, some more flashbacks and maybe an explanation or two. It might be a little choppy, because I cut scenes into two and placed them all over the place, but whatever. Onward!
B e a u t i f u l
He couldn't remember the last time someone had called him by his name. It was usually honourifics: Master, Lord, Sir… His given name was never uttered, never by the people who knew it, or by the people who didn't.
He tried never to think of it himself, telling himself that it was his weakness, his path to his demise. Soon, the name faded from his mind.
It was a little more than a mere forgotten word, and little less than a memory.
He was empty, cold, completely unforgiving and remembered not how he came to be like that.
One knew, they knew he couldn't have come into existence like that, couldn't have been born like that, but it was hard to see how he was not.
Lying and deception came so fluidly to him. He felt no remorse, no feeling. He was soulless.
At least, he was when she died.
Himura Kenshin was an enigma. Tae would never understand how such a man so bright and clever could turn out like that. He was kind, to an extent, observant, always knowing the right things to say, he was a bit cold, always just a little bit too polite and now… it was like he shut himself out from the world.
It had all started with her.
He was the son of a wealthy lord; heir to an incredible fortune. Tae had been serving for the family ever since he was born. When Kenshin was born, he did not cry. He was alive, he was breathing, and Tae's past occupation and knowledge of a midwife had told her that. But still, he did not cry.
When he was about six, his mother had fallen deathly ill to the epidemic sweeping the land. She died when he was seven. His father had closed himself completely when his wife died. He wrapped his work around him, enclosing himself, not letting a smidge of himself be seen, and not letting anyone in.
Tae supposed it had started with that. As a child, Kenshin was ignored, not receiving the coddling and doting that a child his age rightfully deserves. He grew frosty, allowing no one to really know him. At the age of twelve, Kenshin had fully developed the art of deceit and perfidy. Deception rolled off his tongue with the grace of a wildcat.
Grace; if it was one thing Himura Kenshin had, it was grace, and elegance. He could be charming, and pleasing. The perfect host, but then he could turn around just as quickly to show off another trait… another personality. One never knew the true Himura Kenshin.
He was cool, calm, collected; never showed any emotion besides the seldom anger and sarcasm.
When his mother died, he did not cry, nor showed remorse. When his father died, the grief and toll of his labour finally taking the last of his energy, when Kenshin was at the age of fifteen, he did not cry, he did not show sadness, or grief, or woe.
But he cried, cried as hard as one would have for a parent when she left him, and left his entire world, shaken and shattered in her absence.
It was then when he started killing.
At first, it started with small bouts of temper. But then his temper grew, and it soon became explosive. He threw items, smashed plates and even broke a chair in half.
It grew so hazardous that one of his father's friends took it upon himself to try and show him a positive outlet for his anger.
Hiko Seijiro gave Himura Kenshin his very first sword.
He knew she was coming at least two hours before she did. There were always people coming to see him, telling him what was to be done, what he needed to know.
He awaited her arrival, and sat in his chair, contemplating this girl. He folded his hands in his lap, thinking of what use she was to him.
Obviously, none, but maybe Tae could take her in and make her into a servant. No, she inherited this castle, didn't she? But he was its current occupant and he knew he would not leave. And besides, he had gotten fond of his dark, dreary castle. I guess we're just going to have to share, he thought.
From the knowledge that Katsura had given him, she was an orphan and her father had given her the castle in his will.
Kenshin smirked. He knew the real reasons why she was here, and she would learn of them soon enough.
He got up and retrieved his cloak. The main hall was always a little bit chilly. He pulled the hood over his head, and sat down. Then, he started to wait.
It didn't take long for her to arrive. First there was the telltale creak of the large door. Kenshin smirked at the fact that she hadn't knocked to see if anyone was there.
"Hello?" A feminine voice called out, hesitation in its tone. The echoes found Kenshin and he raised his eyebrows at the childish timbre.
He heard her light steps, slow and uncertain. He saw her enter the main hall and decided that he would announce his presense.
"I take it you're Kamiya Kaoru?" He said, his eyes watching her.
She jumped. "Uh," She looked like she was about to curtsy but decided on a bow. Kenshin watched her obvious noble stature. "Y-yes, I am."
Kenshin glanced at her attire. She was wearing a man's outfit: breeches, and a rough-spun shirt. She was obviously noble, and female, so why was she wearing men's clothing and a peasant's at that?
The girl must have noticed his appraising glance for she clutched her cloak around her.
"You're from noble family, if I'm not mistaken. May I inquire to the reason why you are clad in a peasant's wardrobe?" He said, eyebrows raised and a cynical look on his face.
Her cheeks got red. Kenshin noticed her hands beginning to tremble. "No, you may not!" She said hotly, turning away a little.
Kaoru didn't notice him get up but without warning, he was pressing her into the wall, his eyes boring into hers. "While you are in this house, you will never contradict me, do you hear?" his voice was low and she would see the tight coil of anger in his eyes.
Against her will, she nodded, albeit with a little staring contest beforehand.
"Good," he said, in a whisper. He walked away slowly. "You may go. Tae, show Miss Kamiya to her room."
Kaoru shivered as she silently followed Tae-san through the house. Tae was a very cheerful person, someone who didn't fit with the gloomy atmosphere of the household.
She chatted with Kaoru, asking where she was from, what was she doing here and found all about Kaoru's unfortunate past. But Kaoru found she didn't mind that Tae knew about her. She liked the thought of a friend here.
"Here," Tae stopped and pointed to a door. "This is your room. Down the hall is the wash and to your left is the stairs."
She turned to go but Kaoru stopped her. "Y-your lord… what should I call him?"
She smiled. "To me, he is known as Himura Kenshin, but I suggest you keep that name to yourself and call him Battosai."
Tae curtsied and left Kaoru with her thoughts.
Battosai… She had heard of the legendary Battosai, the assassin of old and mystery of now. After that last Great War, the man who some praised for their lives, and who some cursed vanished. No one knew who he was or what he was doing.
Becoming a home decorator was Kaoru's first thought. Her room was furnished with beautiful deep mahoganies and great oak tables.
Her bed was a canopy in the greatest sense of the word. It was huge, with pillows almost to the brim. There was a chandelier and a large wardrobe.
She opened it hastily and gasped at the gowns that hung there. The room itself was very large and the rich carpets that lay at her feet, along with the gowns and silks made her feel very luxurious indeed.
But Battosai could not have decorated her room. He wouldn't have bothered with the feminine touches that laced the room. There was a potted plant in the window sill, with an upturned blossom. It basked gloriously in the light of the sun.
Kaoru shivered a little to herself, and clutched her cloak to her. She eyed the wardrobe and knew that she should bathe and change. Dinner would soon be coming and Battosai would no doubt want his most recent victim there to taunt.
That's right, I am a victim, Kaoru thought. A victim of my father's twisted humour.
Tae trudged back to the kitchens, a gloomy frown marring her otherwise cheerful face. She found she liked this new girl altogether too much. That meant… she was scared for her. Tae might even try something, or even get involved…
She shuddered at the thought of what Master Himura would do. Battosai, Tae, Battosai, she silently chided herself.
She had been serving the family even since Master Battosai was a child and still known as Kenshin. Only now, only as he progressively became student and then master of Battojutsu, did he claim the name Battosai, Master of Battojutsu (1).
Entering the kitchen, she spotted Yahiko sitting on a sack of potatoes, his head resting on his chest. He had dozed off in her absence.
"Yahiko!" Tae called. His head snapped up and he jumped to his feet.
"Can you send some hot water to our guest? She's in room 12."
Yahiko nodded and pressed the button for room 12. Something triggered in his mind. There was something about room 12… besides the fact that he hadn't pushed the button for it in what seemed like years.
Had someone else stayed in room 12? Wait… Master Battosai had said something…
But Yahiko lost his train of thought far Tae had shouted something at him, and he turned his attention to her bidding, and not to his own willful foolishness.
(1): I heard somewhere that Battosai meant Master of Battojutsu, but if not, then sorry. D; Oh, and hopefully I didn't spell that wrong… x.x
Kaoru explored her room a bit before deciding to take a bath. She never had a bedroom of this size before, so decided to grab the ram by the horns, so to speak.
After running her hands over the many gowns that lay in her wardrobe, and picking one out to wear, Kaoru came upon the concept of her bed.
It was really quite large, and so… voluminous. The pillows… and the comforter and the canopy… it was all really too much.
But still… it looked very… bouncy.
Well, as any five year old could tell you that once one of a certain childish nature comes by the notion that a bed that was so large was bouncy, well, there's no stopping you.
With a cry that would make said five year old proud, Kamiya Kaoru threw all caution (and dignity, I might add) to the winds and jumped onto her large and definitely bouncy bed.
Laughing bubbled up from her and she jumped… and jumped… and jumped.
She wasn't worried about her skirts flying up because she wasn't wearing them. So, she just jumped… higher and higher until the tip of her ponytail hit the canopy. Kaoru decided to come down then.
With a happy sigh, she fixed her hair slightly and straightened the bed covers. No one would know a thing.
Next, she walked over to her large window and pulled the window open. A great whoosh of wind almost knocked her over, but Kaoru didn't care. The room was already becoming less stuffy.
Gathering her undergarments, and a robe, Kaoru made her way to the bathroom. A quiet ding had told her that the hot water had arrived, and Kaoru was going to take full advantage of it.
Stripped down and in her robe, Kaoru started to test the knobs of the bathtub. To her delight, there were three. One was the hot water, and Kaoru quickly filled the large tub with that. The one of the right was the cold, and Kaoru added some of that as well to even out the temperature. But the last one provided a rich bubble bath mixture. It smelled like jasmine.
Smiling, Kaoru added some of that as well and luxuriously took a long bath, washing herself and her hair very thoroughly. While drying herself, Kaoru loved the smell of the jasmine that lingered in the air. But soon, it became much too overpowering. She shuffled through a cabinet and found a spray of a faint white plum fragrance.
She sprayed the perfume into the air and wrapped herself in the robe, never noticing how the scent of white plum clung to her.
Tae was just finishing putting the garnish on the main course for Master Battosai's dinner when Tsubame came in, breathless.
"Tae-san, come quick! Master and our guest are fighting!" She said, her hand on her chest, gasping for air.
Tae turned quickly and placed a covering on the dinner. There would be no good in letting it get cold.
"Where?" She asked, taking off her apron and walking out of the kitchens.
"In front of the guest's room." Tsubame said, following Tae.
This will not do, Tae thought, for our guest and master to be fighting so quickly!
As they neared Kaoru's room, the sounds of yelling grew louder.
"I don't have to! You can't tell me what to do!" Tae recognized their guest, Kaoru's voice.
"You will obey me," came the master's voice, in a low whisper, but filled with rage.
Tae stopped in the doorway and inhaled sharply.
Ken- Battosai was standing n the middle of the hall, his eyes gleaming amber, staring at Kaoru-san with the emotion unmistakably that was anger.
Kaoru was standing in front of her door, only in a white shift and her robe hanging off her frame loosely. Her hair was still damp and her eyes were snapping with fury.
Battosai then sighed, and in an annoyed tone, said, "Fine. But you don't come down from here until you take it off." His voice was still low and his eyes narrowed.
Tae gasped silently, wondering what unseemly things they were talking about.
She decided to speak then. "Master Ke- Battosai, I think it's about time you let Kaoru-san dress and prepare for dinner."
"The insolent girl will not come to dinner if she will not obey my commands." Her master replied, icily.
Kaoru's face twisted in anger. "I don't want to go to dinner," she snapped. "I'll stay here because I have no intention of following anyone's orders, especially yours."
Battosai just scowled at her and turned. Within seconds, he was gone from the hall.
Unknown to Tae and little Tsubame, who were watching the entire, uh, event, speechless, Kaoru gave a little sigh and turned into her room, closing her door with a snap.
Kaoru leaned against her door, rubbing her face with her hands. Everyone back home knew of her explosive temper and made sure to stay out of her wrath, but now, him, he just… provoked her so easily! Kaoru always told herself never let go of her temper, to always have it under control, but it eluded her this time.
Never again, she thought, drained.
But… She smirked as she brushed her hair quickly. Just to spite him…
Kaoru pulled out the dress she picked out earlier and held it against her, watching her reflection in the mirror.
With a smile, she dressed herself slowly, making sure all the buttons were buttoned and the laces laced.
Kaoru loved the gown she was wearing. It was a deep red, with a petticoat or two, making the skirt flow out from her waist. It was sleeveless, two thin straps holding up the dress at her shoulders. The bodice hugged her torso and the waist tapered into the middle, the fashion now. There was even a slight train, following her.
On her feet, Kaoru had two delicate slippers of the same rich red. The heels didn't do much for her height, she noticed with a scowl.
After putting her hair into a twist at the nape of her neck, Kaoru adorned earnings and a necklace before announcing herself perfect.
She opened the door, and walked out into the hall, her head held high and started her way down the stairs that led to the dining room.
AN: Well, I hope you liked the update! This chapter's kinda shorted than the other one… sorry about that. Thanks so much for the reviews, you guys, I didn't think that many people would like my story! XD
Eek, I'm so happy :D Sorry about the lateness, I'll try and update sooner.
And music that I was listening to while writing this chapter: a seriously crazy mix consisting of Korean/Japanese/English songs. Artists include: BoA, 1TYM, Utada Hikaru, Celine Dion, Brian McKnight, Shinwa, Eva Cassidy, Fly to the Sky, Josh Groban and some weird jazz-y, swing-y music my friend made me listen too. I was listening to a shuffled playlist of over 100 songs… x.x They totally didn't fit the chapter, but they were mostly for background noise. I need that when I'm doing anything in an empty house, hehe.
Uhm, note: I know in the first chapter, I said that Katsura made Kenshin a monster and then here it says that Hiko-sama did but it's like… different. Hiko taught him how to use the sword, and Katsura made him an assassin. I hope I haven't given away the story. x.x
Again, thanks so much for reading and reviewing my story:D I'll (try to) update in a week! See you then!
Review now! Please and thank you:D
Oh, extra note, who wants to be a beta for moi? Because I really need it… -.-;;
Just tell me if you want to be mine, and leave your email, or whatever and I'll email you if you're chosen! w00t ;)
And extra, extra note: Does anyone know Katsura's full name? That would be greatly appreciated!
And… review:D