Gunshot Roses
Chapter Six
.............. Are flashbacks . . . you know the drill
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Kenshin stopped half a mile from the Kanryuu mansion. If he was to bring her right to the house, Kanryuu surely would have killed him and, of course, punish Kaoru. Besides, they were being a bit flirtatious and someone definitely would have heard them.
Kaoru slipped off the horse, and stared mournfully at Kenshin. He smiled and followed her down. "Come on now," he took her shoulders. "It's only till tomorrow!"
She smiled a bit, "You're right . . . Well then, my handsome Cowboy, I'll anxiously await tomorrow."
"As will I, Milady," he smiled and hugged her. She backed away to leave and he climbed on his horse. She turned around, so she was walking backwards, and blew him a kiss. He ginned and waved to her.
------------------
"Where've you been, good buddy?" Sanosuke asked when Kenshin entered the hotel room.
Kenshin looked up and blinked, "What?"
"I said: Where have you been?" he asked again.
"Oh, I was with Kaoru . . ." he smiled.
"Well, it's pretty obvious that they finally got together . . ." Megumi smiled deviously. "Now he even says Kaoru, instead of 'Miss Kaoru'"
Misao gave them a dreamy grin, "That's so sweet! Love at first sight!"
"Wha-?! I- . . . you guys- . . . Urgh!" Kenshin threw his hand in the air. "Forget it!"
"Ugly and Kenshin?" Yahiko sighed. "I don't think they make a good couple at all!"
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"Kaoru?" Aoshi's voice rumbled through the dark. Kaoru squinted to see where he was. "Where were you? Why are you soaked? How did you get home?"
Kaoru giggled, "I was at . . . uh, Tae's . . . and this guy . . . spilled beer down my shirt, so I used Tae's bathroom upstairs to clean off. She gave me a ride home."
"Why is there no beer stain now? Why did I hear no horse? She has a bathroom above the bar?" he shot his questions at her again.
She sighed, becoming used to this, "Tae washed my shirt. She dropped me off a little bit further away from the house. Yes"
"You're a terrible liar, Kaoru," he grinned through the darkness of their room. She held her breath, hoping that he would not be terribly mad. "You were with that cowboy, weren't you?"
"So what if I was?" she spat like poison. She had never been this way towards her brother, why now?
"Easy, Kaoru . . . Do you love him?"
She looked at him in surprise, "Y-yeah . . ."
"Well, then I see no problem with you seeing him in secret."
She gawked at him, "W-What did you say?"
"Just so long as Kanryuu doesn't find that you two are exceptionally close, I don't see a problem with this infatuation." He sat on his bed.
"I-Infatuation?" she stuttered. "But it's so much more! I truly love him! And he loves me! And- . . ."
Aoshi sighed and looked at her, "Did he say he loves you?"
"No . . . but I know- . . ."
"Kaoru," he smiled, "he'll fade away one day or another . . . that's how it always is . . . I don't think that you are deeply in love. Besides, even if you are, all love can do is hurt you."
She stared at him again. He spoke as if he knew, but how could he? He never spoke of any girl . . . how could he-?
"Aoshi . . ." she bit her lip as tears came to her eyes, "don't tell me how I feel!"
She ran out of the room and into Soujiro's, next door. She slammed the door and Aoshi shook his head, "She'll learn . . ."
---------------------
The next morning, Kaoru woke up, only to hear her cousin snoring in the bed across from her. She smiled, remembering the good parts of the previous night and stood up to get dressed.
'Kaoru, you silly girl!' she chided herself. 'You're acting so juvenile! But its ok . . . after all, I've found the love of a lifetime! And it's something that I'll be sure to always hold onto, no matter what Aoshi says.'
Soujiro stirred and she turned to watch him wake and laughed. He seemed so disoriented. He gave her a sleepy smile and said, "Going to talk to your brother yet?"
"No!" she said; her brow furrowing. "I don't ever want to speak to him again!"
He laughed, "You know that's not true . . ."
"Well, I'll try to avoid him as much as possible!" she smiled.
She got dressed in the room next door, when her brother was gone, and went outside to complete her chores.
She was drawing water from the well when a hand rested on her shoulder. She jumped, out of shock and whirled around. Kanryuu was smiling down at her. "Kaoru, my dear, may I have a word?" he spoke, and his words dripped with artificial sweetness.
"What of, Kanryuu? I have many chores to do," she muttered as she re-filled the bucket that had lost its water when had Kanryuu startled her.
"Kaoru, please come with me, this way" He took her hand and guided her to a bench on the veranda of the larger building, where he motioned for her to sit. She did so and stared at him curiously. "Kaoru, I want to tell you that, as of now, you no longer will be working at that rusty old two bit saloon."
Kaoru gasped and stood, "What?!"
"Please sit, and hear me out," he snapped back. She made a face and sat down again. "You see Kaoru, I think that if you quit, it'd give you more time to be at home, where you belong."
"What are you talking about? I do all my chores before leaving. Why on earth would I need more time here?" she questioned.
"Because, Kaoru," he turned and faced her, "you should be at home. With me."
"What?"
"Kaoru, I ask that you become my wife."
Her eyes widened, "W-what?"
"Become my wife, and I will not only love you with ever fiber of my being, but I'll give you and your family the thing you want most." Kanryuu walked toward her and whispered in her ear, "Your freedom."
Her face went pale and she stared off.
Freedom?
Or love?
Freedom with no choice as to whom she could love?
Or enslavement, with a love that she could never be free with?
Her head felt dizzy . . . and the world went black.
'Kenshin . . .'
------------------
"Hmmm?"
Kenshin looked up from reading a newspaper. They were all sitting in the front hall of their inn. Sano and Yahiko were fighting and fooling around and Mugumi and Misao were laughing while they watched.
"Did someone say my name?" Kenshin asked.
"No . . ." Megumi stared at him. "Are you ok? You look very pale."
"I do? Well I feel fine."
The doors shot open and Kenshin looked up to see Tae standing there, huffing and out of breath. Kenshin!" she cried, running to him. "You need to come! Kaoru's ill!"
"What?!" He stood so fast, the chair fell to the floor. She grabbed his wrist and they ran out.
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"What's wrong with her?!" Kenshin asked, unceremoniously bursting into the doctor's clinic. Kenshin saw Kaoru lying in a bed at the end of a row of cots. He rushed toward her, only to be stopped by Kanryuu Takeda himself.
"And what are you doing here?" he asked, giving Kenshin a disgusted look.
Kenshin bit back the nasty words that threatened to be spoken. "I was worried. Miss Tae told me that Ka- . . . Miss Kaoru was ill. I rushed over here out of concern."
"I see . . ." Kanryuu said smugly. "Well, I was waiting for the doctor to tell me what's wrong with her. Doctor?"
"Ah, yes," the elderly doctor came him. "Little Kaoru here, has a mild case of dehydration. She must be working to hard in the sun and not drinking enough fluids. She'll be fine once she rests and drinks lots of water. Don't worry, it happens all the time."
Kenshin sighed deeply, "That is great news then." He turned to Tae and smiled, "You scared me half to death and probably took ten years off my life!"
"Well, I'm sorry," she said in her heavy southern accent, "Kanryuu didn't tell me what was going on. Kaoru didn't show up for work today, then I see him carrying her to Doctor Gensai's here, and I got so worried."
Kanryuu took a step toward Tae, "About that, Kaoru will no longer be able to work at your . . . bar again."
"W-What? Why?" Tae asked. "She's one of the only girls left who wants to serve! I'll have to start hiring men!" She stopped and thought about it for a minute, then waved her hand in the air while laughing, "Anyway, you need to at least give me a reason."
"I don't see why I owe you anything, but if you insist." Kanryuu grinned, "If Kaoru is going to become my bride then she'll need to spend more time at home with me."
"What?!" Kenshin choked out. "Since when if she to be your bride??"
"Since I have asked her this morning," Kanryuu said, taking out a cigar to smoke.
Doctor Gensai gawked, "Will you put that out! It's a clinic for heaven's sake!"
Kanryuu made a threatening face, but put it out none the less. He turned to Kenshin, "But, why on earth would you care so much?"
"I- uhh . . . I . . ." Kenshin stared at the unconscious form of Kaoru.
"Kenshin is just worried for her well-being!" Tae piped in. "He's her friend!"
"Friend, huh?" Kanryuu looked at him. Kenshin said nothing.
Kaoru began to stir, "Ken- . . . . . shin . . . ."
"Kaoru? Kaoru? Are you alright?" Kenshin leaned over her. Kanryuu watched with contempt.
Her eyes opened, "Kenshin? What's going on?"
"Its okay . . ." Kenshin smiled. "Doctor Gensai said you passed out because of dehydration . . . you really should know better."
She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. Kanryuu coughed and the couple pulled away immediately and blushed. Kanryuu huffed, "Kaoru, my dear, I was terribly worried. You shouldn't just pass out on people like that!"
'He makes sound like it's my fault . . . I couldn't really help it, now could I?' she thought bitterly. "Yes . . . well . . ." she muttered out loud.
Doctor Gensai gave her a large glass of water, "You should drink six of these a day."
"What?!" she laughed. "Really?"
"Yes! Now drink this!" the doctor answered.
"Doctor Gensai!" she pleaded, lightheartedly.
Kenshin spoke, "I'm not leaving till you drink at least three of those!" Kaoru laughed and thought, 'I'll have to drink really slowly then.' "Honestly, Kaoru!" he continued. "I don't want you dieing on me!"
"The same goes for me," Kanryuu grinned. "I don't want my future bride to die before our wedding day!"
"What?!" she gasped. She filtered through the memories in her mind and one popped out.
"Become my wife, and I will not only love you with ever fiber of my being, but I'll give you and your family the thing you want most. Your freedom."
Kenshin hid his eyes and Tae turned to look at the wall. Doctor Gensai took the hint and left the room while Kanryuu looked her at in surprise. "Don't you remember?" he asked.
She put a hand to her head and lay back, so her back was up against the wall. "Kanryuu . . . I . . ." she tried to search for what to say, but nothing came. She looked at Kenshin but he refused to meet her gaze. She looked back at Kanryuu, "May I have time, to think over your proposal?"
"Whatever for?" he asked, shocked.
"Please . . . I'm still dizzy now, and I just have some things to think over . . ." she begged.
"Fine . . ." he gave her a disgusted look. "Have as much time as you need."
She sighed and a stifled cry escaped, "Thank you."
Kenshin looked up at her in astonishment. Why was she begging for time?
Kanryuu lefted soon afterwards and Tae followed in suit. When they were the only ones left, Kaoru's tears fell and Kenshin moved to sit next to her n the bed. He put his arm around her shoulder and she explained everything.
"He said . . ." she tried to speak through tears, "he said that he'd give me . . . my freedom . . . and that to my family . . . I'm the key . . . to our freedom . . . but . . . but" She let out a sob, "I don't love him! How could I? How could anyone . . . anyone ever expect me to?! But if I don't . . . my family . . . and if I do . . . you . . ."
"Hush . . ." he whispered. "Nothing has to be decided now . . ."
She looked in his eyes. He was calm on the outside, but she could see his emotions in his eyes; they were burning. She swallowed hard and leaned into him. "I'm beginning to hate myself . . ." she laughed lightly.
He looked at her instantly, "Never say that! You're an amazing person! Never put yourself down!"
She looked at him, a bit confused and said, "But if I was a stronger person, this wouldn't have happened . . . If I didn't look the way I do, Kanryuu would never have wanted me . . . if only . . ."
"You wish to be ugly?" he laughed. "I've never heard a beautiful woman say that. And there's no use wishing for things that have happened to be different. Besides, I wouldn't want you any other way, and if you did change, I think I would be crushed."
"Oh, so now you're shallow?" she giggled.
"I didn't mean it like that!" he quickly stated. "I just . . . well . . . granted I love the way you look and that's what caught my eye at first, but . . . uhh . . ."
Kaoru laughed again and he sighed, giving up. "You always make me laugh . . ." she smiled and rested her head on his shoulder.
"I try . . ."
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Later on that night, muffed moans and sounds of someone getting beat was heard near the horses' stables at the Kanryuu estate.
"She will be mine!" Kanryuu threw Soujiro against the wall. He groaned and slumped to the floor. "I'll ask you again, does she love him?!"
"I'll . . . never tell you . . ." he heaved. "She . . . trusts . . . me."
Kanryuu kicked him in the jaw, "Tell me, damn you! I'm going to marry her, so just tell me!" He kicked him in the abdomen.
"Never . . ." he coughed. Kanryuu growled and kicked him again. He flew sideways rolled onto his stomach. His breathing was heavy, and he was bleeding in multiple areas. "I won't betray her . . . to you . . . when she doesn't . . . love you . . ."
"SHUT UP, DAMN YOU!!!" Kanryuu pounded him with his foot, a number of times. He coughed up blood and his pupils dilated. 'Shit,' he thought, 'am I going to die here? Well, I'd rather die here then betray Kaoru . . . I'm one of the last ones she trusts . . . She's bitter toward Aoshi, and Tsubame is a bit to young to understand . . . she loves him . . . I don't want her to be hurt for that . . . please, God, take care of my younger cousin . . .'
"Soujiro! Soujiro?!" Kaoru's voice cut through the air that was thick with tension between master and slave.
"Shit . . ." Kanryuu cursed. He threw Soujiro behind a pile of firewood and walked out to talk to Kaoru. Soujiro panted hard and his eyes flew closed. 'Thank you . . .' he silently said to no one.
--------------------
"Kaoru, my dear!" Kanryuu called. Kaoru shivered slightly at the sound of his voice and turned. "Kaoru, I wanted to make another proposition to you."
"What is it, Kanryuu? And where is Soujiro?" she asked, looking at where he had come from.
Kanryuu walked up to her, and guided her back toward the house, with a hand on her back, "I'm sure he's fine, and please, listen to me." She stopped, waiting to hear what he had to say, and he went on, "I was wondering if you wanted to live with me in the house."
"What?!"
"Not in the same room, of course, just in the house, as oppose to the servants quarters," he smiled convincingly.
"What's your hidden objective, Kanryuu?" he asked, suspicious.
"Nothing at all, my dear. I just think that maybe it'll help you in your decision making. You can see that I'm not that terrible a man, and maybe you'll learn to live with me." His smiled broadened, "Maybe even love me?"
She fought the urge to gag and instead said, "But Kanryuu . . . it's kind of sudden . . . and I . . ."
"Please, Kaoru?" he pleaded. He face suddenly changed altogether, "Or I might not be so forgiving towards that cowboy for touching you."
"What?" she stared at him.
"As you know, my attack squad is very loyal, since I pay them a good deal of money to protect me. They won't hesitate in slaying that man . . ." he growled.
"I- . . ." she looked at the ground. "Fine . . . I will comply . . ."
"Wonderful," he grinned sadistically. "There's a room on the second floor to the left of the main staircase. Get our stuff and put them in there. I'll look forward to seeing you more often."
He walked away and she stood there. 'Damn . . . Kenshin . . .!'
-----------------
"Misao?"
Misao turned to see Kenshin, looking guilty, "Yeah?"
"I have something I need to tell you . . ." he hid his eyes.
Less then twenty minutes later . . .
"WHAT?!?!"
Kenshin held his ears in pain, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner!!"
"I- . . . what?! You . . .!!!" she stared at him and stammered. She stopped, and then ran out of the room, while grabbing her coat.
"Wait!!" he called. "I'll come!!"
"Don't," Megumi said, holding him back. "Number one, she has to do this on her own, number two, I don't think Kanryuu would like a visit from you right now, and number three . . . I'm gonna kill you for not telling Misao sooner!"
"Oro!" Kenshin cried, ducking the flying medicine chest.
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"Well, at least it smells nice . . ." Kaoru sighed, stepping into her new room. She threw her one bag of things onto a chair and went to look out the window. "It's big too . . ."
Suddenly she saw a horse ride up to the mansion. She saw Misao and gasped. Could something have happened to Kenshin?
She flew out the door and down to the main hall. She opened the doors and Misao stood there out of breath.
"You . . . where's . . . Aoshi?" she panted.
"My brother?" she asked, surprised.
"Where is he?!" she asked again, this time, tears reaching her eyes.
Kaoru stared at her and managed to stutter, "I'll take you to him."
She led Misao outside and to the servants' quarters. She opened the door and led her to her old room. She knocked on the door, "A-Aoshi?"
"Kaoru?" he whispered. "Are you finally giving up being stubborn?"
"No! Because you have no right to tell me that love will fade away . . ." she looked at Misao, who looked as if she was going to pass out. "But I know why you said it . . ."
"What?
"You tried to push her away, so she wouldn't know what you were . . . what you are . . . but if she loves you . . . she won't care." Kaoru opened the door and Misao closed her eyes quickly, to make sure that she wasn't dreaming.
She heard Aoshi gasped. She felt Kaoru nudge her. She heard another person, a young girl, ask what was going on.
She opened her eyes and saw her beloved Aoshi standing before her. "A- . . . Aoshi . . ." she whispered. Her throat was dry and her head felt light.
"Misao . . ." he answered her, feeling similar. Kaoru smiled lightly and pushed Misao forward. Misao felt weak, and when Kaoru pushed her, she didn't think she could stand. She went limp, and was caught by Aoshi. She stared into his ice blue eyes and tears fell down her cheeks.
"Aoshi . . . Oh, Aoshi . . ." she wrapped her arms around his neck and cried into his shoulder.
He stared at her in surprise, "You shouldn't be here . . . I didn't want you to know . . ."
"Know what? That you don't have freedom?" she questioned him. He stared away, and noticed that Kaoru and Tsubame had left the room.
"Misao . . ." he mumbled. "You deserve . . . so much better then me . . ."
"What the helk are you talking about? I should decide who's good for me or not! And I want yo- . . ." she stopped and turned red.
He laughed, "Doesn't mean you should have me . . . you should have someone who will be able to give you anything you want . . . Someone with freedom."
"But you can give me what I want . . ." she whispered.
"Misao . . . honestly, you're not being fair . . ." he sighed. "I would do anything for you . . . but . . . I'm not a free man . . ."
"Why doesn't it matter?! You're equal to Kanryuu! You should have freedom just like he does!" she shouted, starting to get her spirit back. "I'm gonna make sure that you are free soon! Got it? Then, will you promise me that . . ."
Aoshi smiled, "Fine . . . When I am free . . . I will court you."
"Don't you worry cause I'm sure gonna find a way! You just wait!" Misao beamed.
Aoshi laughed, "Odd that the woman is going to save the man in this case."
"I'm not gonna save you, I'm liberating you! And it's nothing that women haven't done before! Look at Elizabeth Van Lew!" She giggled.
"Who?"
"Never mind!"
-------------------------
Kaoru smiled down at her younger sister and pulled away from the door she had been listening through. "I think our brother will finally be content."
Tsubame giggle and nodded. They both knew that he hadn't been for years, because he felt bad for letting there parents die, even though it wasn't his fault. Tuberculosis took many victims these days.
Kaoru smiled, when the door down the hall flew open. She saw Soujiro and gasped at his condition.
"Sou!" she called, running to him. "Soujiro!"
Soujiro felt an arm around his back and looked up, "Kaoru . . ."
Aoshi threw the door open when he heard Kaoru's calls and rushed to help Kaoru.
"Soujiro!" she cried, "What happened to you? Who did this?!" Her tear fell to the floor as they dragged him into the room.
"K-Kanryuu . . ." he whispered. "I didn't tell him though . . . I didn't tell him that . . . you love him . . ."
Kaoru's eyes widened, "My God . . ."
-------------------
"He's fine now, Kaoru, don't worry," Aoshi's voice calmed her fears. "Go back to the house, before you are missed. Kanryuu will know that you know of Sou's condition and he might try to hurt you . . ."
Kaoru looked up, tiredly, and nodded. She got up to leave, and Misao assisted her to the door. When she had left Aoshi looked back at the bandaged Soujiro in front of him and said to Tsubame, "This isn't good . . . who will he attack next?"
Misao walked back into the room, "I should go . . . tell Kenshin what happened. He should know, so he can be careful."
Aoshi nodded and asked, "Does he love her? "
"Very much . . ." she smiled.
"Then, I guess he won't fade away as I thought."
Misao walked up to him and hugged him lightly, "Don't disappear in the middle of the night, now, ok?"
"Sure."
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A/N:
Elizabeth Van Lew: One of the North's greatest spies in the Civil War. She was extremely intelligent and freed many Union soldiers from the Confederate Libby Prison. You might want to remember that Misao knew of her.
Hello! I really hope you liked this chapter! I did! It was fun writing, but I had to stop at an odd place, but that's only because it felt odd to me. I also regret having the A&M in there . . . but it needed to be because of later chapters . . .
Man, I've been writing this one too long and I'm sorry that I took a while to update!
Lillienne: You are the only one that always catches the foreshadowing! You did in New York and Cherry Blossoms, with Sanosuke and Kenshin and again in this fiction with the group! You're too smart for me!!! Hope you catch the foreshadowing in this chapter . . . if there is any . . . I don't intentionally put it in here . . . just happens.
Ciao
Chapter Six
.............. Are flashbacks . . . you know the drill
------------------
Kenshin stopped half a mile from the Kanryuu mansion. If he was to bring her right to the house, Kanryuu surely would have killed him and, of course, punish Kaoru. Besides, they were being a bit flirtatious and someone definitely would have heard them.
Kaoru slipped off the horse, and stared mournfully at Kenshin. He smiled and followed her down. "Come on now," he took her shoulders. "It's only till tomorrow!"
She smiled a bit, "You're right . . . Well then, my handsome Cowboy, I'll anxiously await tomorrow."
"As will I, Milady," he smiled and hugged her. She backed away to leave and he climbed on his horse. She turned around, so she was walking backwards, and blew him a kiss. He ginned and waved to her.
------------------
"Where've you been, good buddy?" Sanosuke asked when Kenshin entered the hotel room.
Kenshin looked up and blinked, "What?"
"I said: Where have you been?" he asked again.
"Oh, I was with Kaoru . . ." he smiled.
"Well, it's pretty obvious that they finally got together . . ." Megumi smiled deviously. "Now he even says Kaoru, instead of 'Miss Kaoru'"
Misao gave them a dreamy grin, "That's so sweet! Love at first sight!"
"Wha-?! I- . . . you guys- . . . Urgh!" Kenshin threw his hand in the air. "Forget it!"
"Ugly and Kenshin?" Yahiko sighed. "I don't think they make a good couple at all!"
---------------------
"Kaoru?" Aoshi's voice rumbled through the dark. Kaoru squinted to see where he was. "Where were you? Why are you soaked? How did you get home?"
Kaoru giggled, "I was at . . . uh, Tae's . . . and this guy . . . spilled beer down my shirt, so I used Tae's bathroom upstairs to clean off. She gave me a ride home."
"Why is there no beer stain now? Why did I hear no horse? She has a bathroom above the bar?" he shot his questions at her again.
She sighed, becoming used to this, "Tae washed my shirt. She dropped me off a little bit further away from the house. Yes"
"You're a terrible liar, Kaoru," he grinned through the darkness of their room. She held her breath, hoping that he would not be terribly mad. "You were with that cowboy, weren't you?"
"So what if I was?" she spat like poison. She had never been this way towards her brother, why now?
"Easy, Kaoru . . . Do you love him?"
She looked at him in surprise, "Y-yeah . . ."
"Well, then I see no problem with you seeing him in secret."
She gawked at him, "W-What did you say?"
"Just so long as Kanryuu doesn't find that you two are exceptionally close, I don't see a problem with this infatuation." He sat on his bed.
"I-Infatuation?" she stuttered. "But it's so much more! I truly love him! And he loves me! And- . . ."
Aoshi sighed and looked at her, "Did he say he loves you?"
"No . . . but I know- . . ."
"Kaoru," he smiled, "he'll fade away one day or another . . . that's how it always is . . . I don't think that you are deeply in love. Besides, even if you are, all love can do is hurt you."
She stared at him again. He spoke as if he knew, but how could he? He never spoke of any girl . . . how could he-?
"Aoshi . . ." she bit her lip as tears came to her eyes, "don't tell me how I feel!"
She ran out of the room and into Soujiro's, next door. She slammed the door and Aoshi shook his head, "She'll learn . . ."
---------------------
The next morning, Kaoru woke up, only to hear her cousin snoring in the bed across from her. She smiled, remembering the good parts of the previous night and stood up to get dressed.
'Kaoru, you silly girl!' she chided herself. 'You're acting so juvenile! But its ok . . . after all, I've found the love of a lifetime! And it's something that I'll be sure to always hold onto, no matter what Aoshi says.'
Soujiro stirred and she turned to watch him wake and laughed. He seemed so disoriented. He gave her a sleepy smile and said, "Going to talk to your brother yet?"
"No!" she said; her brow furrowing. "I don't ever want to speak to him again!"
He laughed, "You know that's not true . . ."
"Well, I'll try to avoid him as much as possible!" she smiled.
She got dressed in the room next door, when her brother was gone, and went outside to complete her chores.
She was drawing water from the well when a hand rested on her shoulder. She jumped, out of shock and whirled around. Kanryuu was smiling down at her. "Kaoru, my dear, may I have a word?" he spoke, and his words dripped with artificial sweetness.
"What of, Kanryuu? I have many chores to do," she muttered as she re-filled the bucket that had lost its water when had Kanryuu startled her.
"Kaoru, please come with me, this way" He took her hand and guided her to a bench on the veranda of the larger building, where he motioned for her to sit. She did so and stared at him curiously. "Kaoru, I want to tell you that, as of now, you no longer will be working at that rusty old two bit saloon."
Kaoru gasped and stood, "What?!"
"Please sit, and hear me out," he snapped back. She made a face and sat down again. "You see Kaoru, I think that if you quit, it'd give you more time to be at home, where you belong."
"What are you talking about? I do all my chores before leaving. Why on earth would I need more time here?" she questioned.
"Because, Kaoru," he turned and faced her, "you should be at home. With me."
"What?"
"Kaoru, I ask that you become my wife."
Her eyes widened, "W-what?"
"Become my wife, and I will not only love you with ever fiber of my being, but I'll give you and your family the thing you want most." Kanryuu walked toward her and whispered in her ear, "Your freedom."
Her face went pale and she stared off.
Freedom?
Or love?
Freedom with no choice as to whom she could love?
Or enslavement, with a love that she could never be free with?
Her head felt dizzy . . . and the world went black.
'Kenshin . . .'
------------------
"Hmmm?"
Kenshin looked up from reading a newspaper. They were all sitting in the front hall of their inn. Sano and Yahiko were fighting and fooling around and Mugumi and Misao were laughing while they watched.
"Did someone say my name?" Kenshin asked.
"No . . ." Megumi stared at him. "Are you ok? You look very pale."
"I do? Well I feel fine."
The doors shot open and Kenshin looked up to see Tae standing there, huffing and out of breath. Kenshin!" she cried, running to him. "You need to come! Kaoru's ill!"
"What?!" He stood so fast, the chair fell to the floor. She grabbed his wrist and they ran out.
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"What's wrong with her?!" Kenshin asked, unceremoniously bursting into the doctor's clinic. Kenshin saw Kaoru lying in a bed at the end of a row of cots. He rushed toward her, only to be stopped by Kanryuu Takeda himself.
"And what are you doing here?" he asked, giving Kenshin a disgusted look.
Kenshin bit back the nasty words that threatened to be spoken. "I was worried. Miss Tae told me that Ka- . . . Miss Kaoru was ill. I rushed over here out of concern."
"I see . . ." Kanryuu said smugly. "Well, I was waiting for the doctor to tell me what's wrong with her. Doctor?"
"Ah, yes," the elderly doctor came him. "Little Kaoru here, has a mild case of dehydration. She must be working to hard in the sun and not drinking enough fluids. She'll be fine once she rests and drinks lots of water. Don't worry, it happens all the time."
Kenshin sighed deeply, "That is great news then." He turned to Tae and smiled, "You scared me half to death and probably took ten years off my life!"
"Well, I'm sorry," she said in her heavy southern accent, "Kanryuu didn't tell me what was going on. Kaoru didn't show up for work today, then I see him carrying her to Doctor Gensai's here, and I got so worried."
Kanryuu took a step toward Tae, "About that, Kaoru will no longer be able to work at your . . . bar again."
"W-What? Why?" Tae asked. "She's one of the only girls left who wants to serve! I'll have to start hiring men!" She stopped and thought about it for a minute, then waved her hand in the air while laughing, "Anyway, you need to at least give me a reason."
"I don't see why I owe you anything, but if you insist." Kanryuu grinned, "If Kaoru is going to become my bride then she'll need to spend more time at home with me."
"What?!" Kenshin choked out. "Since when if she to be your bride??"
"Since I have asked her this morning," Kanryuu said, taking out a cigar to smoke.
Doctor Gensai gawked, "Will you put that out! It's a clinic for heaven's sake!"
Kanryuu made a threatening face, but put it out none the less. He turned to Kenshin, "But, why on earth would you care so much?"
"I- uhh . . . I . . ." Kenshin stared at the unconscious form of Kaoru.
"Kenshin is just worried for her well-being!" Tae piped in. "He's her friend!"
"Friend, huh?" Kanryuu looked at him. Kenshin said nothing.
Kaoru began to stir, "Ken- . . . . . shin . . . ."
"Kaoru? Kaoru? Are you alright?" Kenshin leaned over her. Kanryuu watched with contempt.
Her eyes opened, "Kenshin? What's going on?"
"Its okay . . ." Kenshin smiled. "Doctor Gensai said you passed out because of dehydration . . . you really should know better."
She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. Kanryuu coughed and the couple pulled away immediately and blushed. Kanryuu huffed, "Kaoru, my dear, I was terribly worried. You shouldn't just pass out on people like that!"
'He makes sound like it's my fault . . . I couldn't really help it, now could I?' she thought bitterly. "Yes . . . well . . ." she muttered out loud.
Doctor Gensai gave her a large glass of water, "You should drink six of these a day."
"What?!" she laughed. "Really?"
"Yes! Now drink this!" the doctor answered.
"Doctor Gensai!" she pleaded, lightheartedly.
Kenshin spoke, "I'm not leaving till you drink at least three of those!" Kaoru laughed and thought, 'I'll have to drink really slowly then.' "Honestly, Kaoru!" he continued. "I don't want you dieing on me!"
"The same goes for me," Kanryuu grinned. "I don't want my future bride to die before our wedding day!"
"What?!" she gasped. She filtered through the memories in her mind and one popped out.
"Become my wife, and I will not only love you with ever fiber of my being, but I'll give you and your family the thing you want most. Your freedom."
Kenshin hid his eyes and Tae turned to look at the wall. Doctor Gensai took the hint and left the room while Kanryuu looked her at in surprise. "Don't you remember?" he asked.
She put a hand to her head and lay back, so her back was up against the wall. "Kanryuu . . . I . . ." she tried to search for what to say, but nothing came. She looked at Kenshin but he refused to meet her gaze. She looked back at Kanryuu, "May I have time, to think over your proposal?"
"Whatever for?" he asked, shocked.
"Please . . . I'm still dizzy now, and I just have some things to think over . . ." she begged.
"Fine . . ." he gave her a disgusted look. "Have as much time as you need."
She sighed and a stifled cry escaped, "Thank you."
Kenshin looked up at her in astonishment. Why was she begging for time?
Kanryuu lefted soon afterwards and Tae followed in suit. When they were the only ones left, Kaoru's tears fell and Kenshin moved to sit next to her n the bed. He put his arm around her shoulder and she explained everything.
"He said . . ." she tried to speak through tears, "he said that he'd give me . . . my freedom . . . and that to my family . . . I'm the key . . . to our freedom . . . but . . . but" She let out a sob, "I don't love him! How could I? How could anyone . . . anyone ever expect me to?! But if I don't . . . my family . . . and if I do . . . you . . ."
"Hush . . ." he whispered. "Nothing has to be decided now . . ."
She looked in his eyes. He was calm on the outside, but she could see his emotions in his eyes; they were burning. She swallowed hard and leaned into him. "I'm beginning to hate myself . . ." she laughed lightly.
He looked at her instantly, "Never say that! You're an amazing person! Never put yourself down!"
She looked at him, a bit confused and said, "But if I was a stronger person, this wouldn't have happened . . . If I didn't look the way I do, Kanryuu would never have wanted me . . . if only . . ."
"You wish to be ugly?" he laughed. "I've never heard a beautiful woman say that. And there's no use wishing for things that have happened to be different. Besides, I wouldn't want you any other way, and if you did change, I think I would be crushed."
"Oh, so now you're shallow?" she giggled.
"I didn't mean it like that!" he quickly stated. "I just . . . well . . . granted I love the way you look and that's what caught my eye at first, but . . . uhh . . ."
Kaoru laughed again and he sighed, giving up. "You always make me laugh . . ." she smiled and rested her head on his shoulder.
"I try . . ."
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Later on that night, muffed moans and sounds of someone getting beat was heard near the horses' stables at the Kanryuu estate.
"She will be mine!" Kanryuu threw Soujiro against the wall. He groaned and slumped to the floor. "I'll ask you again, does she love him?!"
"I'll . . . never tell you . . ." he heaved. "She . . . trusts . . . me."
Kanryuu kicked him in the jaw, "Tell me, damn you! I'm going to marry her, so just tell me!" He kicked him in the abdomen.
"Never . . ." he coughed. Kanryuu growled and kicked him again. He flew sideways rolled onto his stomach. His breathing was heavy, and he was bleeding in multiple areas. "I won't betray her . . . to you . . . when she doesn't . . . love you . . ."
"SHUT UP, DAMN YOU!!!" Kanryuu pounded him with his foot, a number of times. He coughed up blood and his pupils dilated. 'Shit,' he thought, 'am I going to die here? Well, I'd rather die here then betray Kaoru . . . I'm one of the last ones she trusts . . . She's bitter toward Aoshi, and Tsubame is a bit to young to understand . . . she loves him . . . I don't want her to be hurt for that . . . please, God, take care of my younger cousin . . .'
"Soujiro! Soujiro?!" Kaoru's voice cut through the air that was thick with tension between master and slave.
"Shit . . ." Kanryuu cursed. He threw Soujiro behind a pile of firewood and walked out to talk to Kaoru. Soujiro panted hard and his eyes flew closed. 'Thank you . . .' he silently said to no one.
--------------------
"Kaoru, my dear!" Kanryuu called. Kaoru shivered slightly at the sound of his voice and turned. "Kaoru, I wanted to make another proposition to you."
"What is it, Kanryuu? And where is Soujiro?" she asked, looking at where he had come from.
Kanryuu walked up to her, and guided her back toward the house, with a hand on her back, "I'm sure he's fine, and please, listen to me." She stopped, waiting to hear what he had to say, and he went on, "I was wondering if you wanted to live with me in the house."
"What?!"
"Not in the same room, of course, just in the house, as oppose to the servants quarters," he smiled convincingly.
"What's your hidden objective, Kanryuu?" he asked, suspicious.
"Nothing at all, my dear. I just think that maybe it'll help you in your decision making. You can see that I'm not that terrible a man, and maybe you'll learn to live with me." His smiled broadened, "Maybe even love me?"
She fought the urge to gag and instead said, "But Kanryuu . . . it's kind of sudden . . . and I . . ."
"Please, Kaoru?" he pleaded. He face suddenly changed altogether, "Or I might not be so forgiving towards that cowboy for touching you."
"What?" she stared at him.
"As you know, my attack squad is very loyal, since I pay them a good deal of money to protect me. They won't hesitate in slaying that man . . ." he growled.
"I- . . ." she looked at the ground. "Fine . . . I will comply . . ."
"Wonderful," he grinned sadistically. "There's a room on the second floor to the left of the main staircase. Get our stuff and put them in there. I'll look forward to seeing you more often."
He walked away and she stood there. 'Damn . . . Kenshin . . .!'
-----------------
"Misao?"
Misao turned to see Kenshin, looking guilty, "Yeah?"
"I have something I need to tell you . . ." he hid his eyes.
Less then twenty minutes later . . .
"WHAT?!?!"
Kenshin held his ears in pain, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner!!"
"I- . . . what?! You . . .!!!" she stared at him and stammered. She stopped, and then ran out of the room, while grabbing her coat.
"Wait!!" he called. "I'll come!!"
"Don't," Megumi said, holding him back. "Number one, she has to do this on her own, number two, I don't think Kanryuu would like a visit from you right now, and number three . . . I'm gonna kill you for not telling Misao sooner!"
"Oro!" Kenshin cried, ducking the flying medicine chest.
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"Well, at least it smells nice . . ." Kaoru sighed, stepping into her new room. She threw her one bag of things onto a chair and went to look out the window. "It's big too . . ."
Suddenly she saw a horse ride up to the mansion. She saw Misao and gasped. Could something have happened to Kenshin?
She flew out the door and down to the main hall. She opened the doors and Misao stood there out of breath.
"You . . . where's . . . Aoshi?" she panted.
"My brother?" she asked, surprised.
"Where is he?!" she asked again, this time, tears reaching her eyes.
Kaoru stared at her and managed to stutter, "I'll take you to him."
She led Misao outside and to the servants' quarters. She opened the door and led her to her old room. She knocked on the door, "A-Aoshi?"
"Kaoru?" he whispered. "Are you finally giving up being stubborn?"
"No! Because you have no right to tell me that love will fade away . . ." she looked at Misao, who looked as if she was going to pass out. "But I know why you said it . . ."
"What?
"You tried to push her away, so she wouldn't know what you were . . . what you are . . . but if she loves you . . . she won't care." Kaoru opened the door and Misao closed her eyes quickly, to make sure that she wasn't dreaming.
She heard Aoshi gasped. She felt Kaoru nudge her. She heard another person, a young girl, ask what was going on.
She opened her eyes and saw her beloved Aoshi standing before her. "A- . . . Aoshi . . ." she whispered. Her throat was dry and her head felt light.
"Misao . . ." he answered her, feeling similar. Kaoru smiled lightly and pushed Misao forward. Misao felt weak, and when Kaoru pushed her, she didn't think she could stand. She went limp, and was caught by Aoshi. She stared into his ice blue eyes and tears fell down her cheeks.
"Aoshi . . . Oh, Aoshi . . ." she wrapped her arms around his neck and cried into his shoulder.
He stared at her in surprise, "You shouldn't be here . . . I didn't want you to know . . ."
"Know what? That you don't have freedom?" she questioned him. He stared away, and noticed that Kaoru and Tsubame had left the room.
"Misao . . ." he mumbled. "You deserve . . . so much better then me . . ."
"What the helk are you talking about? I should decide who's good for me or not! And I want yo- . . ." she stopped and turned red.
He laughed, "Doesn't mean you should have me . . . you should have someone who will be able to give you anything you want . . . Someone with freedom."
"But you can give me what I want . . ." she whispered.
"Misao . . . honestly, you're not being fair . . ." he sighed. "I would do anything for you . . . but . . . I'm not a free man . . ."
"Why doesn't it matter?! You're equal to Kanryuu! You should have freedom just like he does!" she shouted, starting to get her spirit back. "I'm gonna make sure that you are free soon! Got it? Then, will you promise me that . . ."
Aoshi smiled, "Fine . . . When I am free . . . I will court you."
"Don't you worry cause I'm sure gonna find a way! You just wait!" Misao beamed.
Aoshi laughed, "Odd that the woman is going to save the man in this case."
"I'm not gonna save you, I'm liberating you! And it's nothing that women haven't done before! Look at Elizabeth Van Lew!" She giggled.
"Who?"
"Never mind!"
-------------------------
Kaoru smiled down at her younger sister and pulled away from the door she had been listening through. "I think our brother will finally be content."
Tsubame giggle and nodded. They both knew that he hadn't been for years, because he felt bad for letting there parents die, even though it wasn't his fault. Tuberculosis took many victims these days.
Kaoru smiled, when the door down the hall flew open. She saw Soujiro and gasped at his condition.
"Sou!" she called, running to him. "Soujiro!"
Soujiro felt an arm around his back and looked up, "Kaoru . . ."
Aoshi threw the door open when he heard Kaoru's calls and rushed to help Kaoru.
"Soujiro!" she cried, "What happened to you? Who did this?!" Her tear fell to the floor as they dragged him into the room.
"K-Kanryuu . . ." he whispered. "I didn't tell him though . . . I didn't tell him that . . . you love him . . ."
Kaoru's eyes widened, "My God . . ."
-------------------
"He's fine now, Kaoru, don't worry," Aoshi's voice calmed her fears. "Go back to the house, before you are missed. Kanryuu will know that you know of Sou's condition and he might try to hurt you . . ."
Kaoru looked up, tiredly, and nodded. She got up to leave, and Misao assisted her to the door. When she had left Aoshi looked back at the bandaged Soujiro in front of him and said to Tsubame, "This isn't good . . . who will he attack next?"
Misao walked back into the room, "I should go . . . tell Kenshin what happened. He should know, so he can be careful."
Aoshi nodded and asked, "Does he love her? "
"Very much . . ." she smiled.
"Then, I guess he won't fade away as I thought."
Misao walked up to him and hugged him lightly, "Don't disappear in the middle of the night, now, ok?"
"Sure."
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A/N:
Elizabeth Van Lew: One of the North's greatest spies in the Civil War. She was extremely intelligent and freed many Union soldiers from the Confederate Libby Prison. You might want to remember that Misao knew of her.
Hello! I really hope you liked this chapter! I did! It was fun writing, but I had to stop at an odd place, but that's only because it felt odd to me. I also regret having the A&M in there . . . but it needed to be because of later chapters . . .
Man, I've been writing this one too long and I'm sorry that I took a while to update!
Lillienne: You are the only one that always catches the foreshadowing! You did in New York and Cherry Blossoms, with Sanosuke and Kenshin and again in this fiction with the group! You're too smart for me!!! Hope you catch the foreshadowing in this chapter . . . if there is any . . . I don't intentionally put it in here . . . just happens.
Ciao