standard disclaimer.
Act 1
Scene 1: The day it all began…
"Lovely, lovely day, ne, Himura-san?" Seta Soujiro whistled happily. He and his companion, Himura Kenshin, arrived in the outskirts of Tokyo in broad daylight. The smile pasted on Soujiro's face was enough to brighten someone else's day, yet frighten someone to the core. No one could decipher what the smile meant.
Kenshin panted as he reached his smiling companion. "Sessha thinks we should rest now, Soujiro-san. It seems sessha has finally felt old age creeping into him. My days of wandering had long been gone, de gozaru."
Soujiro smiled widely. "Indeed, Himura-san. I believe I see an inn four blocks ahead. We should take up lodging there." The two started walking to the direction where the inn was located. They halted upon hearing voices coming from the other side of the street. Both men looked at each other, reached an understanding and hid themselves to eavesdrop.
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An elderly man, referred to as Okina by everybody, was patiently listening to the argument of his younger daughter's two suitors. Though he looked calm, his patience was wearing thin. He had long ago expressed his ultimatum before he would allow his younger daughter, Misao, to marry.
"Gentlemen, listen. I will once again state my decision," he decided to intervene when the two men started bickering at each other. "Misao will not entertain suitors until her my elder sister has settled down."
The two 'gentlemen' scowled. It was obvious they were not amused. "But Okina-san, who would wanna marry that kit- your eldest?" Gremio, the older of the two suitors whined.
"For once I agree with Senor Gremio. Megumi is a fox incarnate. She is sly and cunning, almost devilish. Anyone who would marry her shall fear sleep, for she is capable of slitting anyone's throat," Hortensio, the younger of the two snickered. Gremio was nodding his head in a passionate agreement.
"I suggest, old man, to let Misao be free and choose a husband for herself. The hope of Megutsune ever marrying is like a lecher ever being holy," remarked Gremio.
Okina kept his calm demeanour despite of rage boiling inside of him. He may be aware of his eldest daughter's reputation in town but he was still her father. The two were clearly insulting her. Plus, he felt Gremio's last remark was directed to him. Okina, after all, was known as the town's highly respected lecher (Muse: snicker, snicker! Highly respected my arz.) "Gentlemen, I warn you. Megumi is still my daughter. I demand respect for her in my presence," he bellowed.
The two gentlemen only rolled their eyes. Their attention was soon caught by the figure coming out of the kimono shop. It was Misao, gracefully approaching them. Okina glared at the two men whose expression was all too familiar to him. The two were wearing an expression Okina used often times when he laid eyes upon sexy, gorgeous women. He was not too happy his youngest daughter was receiving such lustful gazes.
"Hello, everybody. Father, Megumi-neesan and I are done with our shopping. Perhaps we could go home now for lunch?" she inclined her head in question.
Okina nodded, immediately noticing the developing fear in the two gentlemen's eyes. Out emerged the store whence Misao came out the woman known with the harsh tongue, enough to freeze a man on a hot summer's day. The woman, though acknowledged as one of the most beautiful female in town, was feared by almost everybody, especially of the male species. Some even claimed if not for her cunning, evil ways, Megumi would be considered a goddess. It was apparent to her father that Megumi's intelligence and independent ways were enough to drive a suitor away.
"Why are you men looking at my sister in such a way?" Megumi shot them a deadly glare. "Wait, don't even bother telling me, for simply your appearance gave way your immoral thoughts. Both you should not even be regarded with respect in this town if not for your money," she began her tongue-lashing. Megumi never really liked the two men standing in front of her. She despised the idea of the two pining for Misao's attention, considering they were both old and ugly.
Misao giggled, amused at how her sister was making the two men ashamed of their skin. "You're hilarious Meg-neesan, but a little rude. These gentlemen were only admiring beauty as they see it," she winked at them, causing the two men more reason to gawk at Misao.
"Girls, let us head home," Okina said, shaking his head. "Gentlemen, remember the condition. I shall not state it once more. Although it would help a great deal if both you could find me a literature and music tutor for my daughters," he quirked an eyebrow.
Both Gremio and Hortensio looked at each other and nodded in unison. They would do anything to get into Okina's good side. "I shall find you a music tutor," Hortensio exclaimed. "And I, a literature professor," Gremio had added.
Okina smiled; glad he wouldn't have to do anything. "Good, good. I fare both of you well, then." He offered both his arms to his daughters, who both took it.
"Bye, gentlemen," Misao chirped in. Megumi only shot them daggers. When the father and daughters were out of earshot, both Gremio and Hortensio resumed their conversation… er, their argument.
"Blast that old man and his condition. This Gremio will have whatever and whomever he pleases. And I want Misao, I shall have her," Gremio could be heard saying.
Hortensio rolled his eyes. "Baka, old fool. Do you not get it? All we have to do is find Megutsune some desperate young man to marry her off. Then, Misao will be ready for the taking. If we put our heads together, we'll be able to accomplish this."
Gremio thought for a second. "And where do you suggest to find anyone one desperate enough to subject himself to the Megutsune?"
"That's what we have to figure out. But, right now, I need to look at matters in my household. I have to leave you. We should talk about this in a more private matter," Hortension excused himself. In all actuality, he was beginning to plot a scheme on his own. He would not stand idly, or even cooperate with the greasy, old Gremio, just to see Misao end up with someone else. He waved a goodbye to the older man, hiding an evil smirk.
All the while, Gremio was thinking of the same thing. He was already hatching a plan of his own. He knew his and Hortensio's odds were equal. Hortensio was younger than him, and probably looked better; but he has more money and assets he could blind Okina into choosing him for Misao.
Well, well, well. It seemed criminals do think alike. Or was it great minds think alike?
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Meanwhile, the two 'eavesdroppers' were having a debate. It seemed one of them has fallen in love with one of Okina's daughters.
"Her smile, Himura-san, was like the a hurricane whizzing through the town. Her movements were like the swelling of the weeds. Her eyes shone brightly like a newly lit candle, burning and burning. Her hair was long and braided…"
Kenshin frowned at his companion's weird descriptions. Soujiro did tend to use silly metaphors and nonsense similes. No wonder the kid failed his writing and poetry class. "Remember, Soujiro-san, we are here not to submit to our heart's desires. Sessha is here to remind you our real purpose for this journey. Your father had instructed me to make sure your focus is on your studies."
"But Himura-san, did you not see beauty when she emerged from inside. It was as if an angel collapsed out of the sky, dropped on the foot of the earth…"
Kenshin cut him off. "Sessha advises Soujiro-san to stop his metaphorical phrasing. You should really polish your descriptive abilities, especially if you plan to woo the said angel in Megutsune-dono."
Soujiro actually erased a smile from his face. "Nani? Not the fox. The weasel from heaven, Himura-san. She was the one who had captured my heart. She was the one who had blinded the senses from my nose, that I was unable to hear what her name was," he said sheepishly.
'Kami, he really was the worst in attempting poetry,' Kenshin thought. "Sessha thinks the beautiful woman's name is Misao."
"Then it is agreed, Himura-san. You are going to take my place in the university. Woo Misao-chan in my name; while I find a way to get closer to her."
Kenshin gave him a worried look. "Oro? Sessha thinks that is not a good idea. No one will believe me for you."
"Then let us find lodging, change our clothes and see if our semblance is still different." The two went ahead to the nearby inn, swapped clothes as they had planned, and looked at each other. Soujiro scratched his head. "This pink gi makes me uncomfortable, Himura-san."
"So is this closed-collared gi of yours. Sessha realizes how the two of us really looks ridiculous in our outfits," Kenshin sighed out loud.
"All is settled now, Himura-san. Or should I say…Seta-san?" Soujiro beamed at his companion who was obviously hesitant about the whole situation.
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Megumi detached herself from her father's arm. She was fuming for reasons everyone in the town was well aware of. She felt her intelligence was downgraded due to her father's proclaimed ultimatum: that she be married first for her sister Misao to be married. Somehow, she felt betrayed. "Why must you subject me into such humiliation? I am an independent woman, a doctor in trade, yet a part of your scheme so that Misao could find herself a husband? I still refuse," she declared.
Okina and Misao stopped walking and looked directly at Megumi. This was one of her off days. (When did she ever had an 'on' day?) The look on Megumi's face was all Okina needed to know his daughter would be continuously grating him on the matter. He had explained to her the importance of such custom. A woman must marry to establish herself in society, and ensure stability till old age. No one could provide this to a woman, except her husband.
"Megumi, you know the need to marry. Must I state it once more? You'd only feel your intelligence insulted," Okina expressed in a pleading tone.
"Father, I am a doctor. My profession is enough to ensure my place in the future," she said in determination. Yet, Megumi was well aware her success in her trade was due to her father's respected reputation it town. It did not need to be said that she was still under a man's shadow. If the shadow fades, what would become of her? Megumi refused to acknowledge it.
Misao decided to input. "Maybe we should not talk about this in the streets, Meg-neesan. People are always eager to spread gossips concerning you. This is not helping." Okina could only agree.
Megumi was convinced. "You are right, Misao-chan. Let us head home." She walked forward in a confident manner, not caring if people were scrutinizing her. She would always be scrutinized, not because she was the eldest and heiress of the richest man in town; but because she does not conform to what society had established for a woman. There goes the fox, she could hear them say. She flared up her nose to those who glared.
Next chapter: we meet Aoshi-sama, the iceman.
A/N: as i've stated b4, i am merely borrowing the plot...so i may not follow the whole play act by act, scene by scene.
