Fanfic by Blueroseulan
June 18, 2004
Standard Disclaimer's Apply!
THE EMPEROR AND I CHAPTER 4
PREVIOUSLY ON CHAPTER 3:
Do. You. Love. Me." He asked, Making sure his tone implied that he wanted a straight answer.
"Y-yes…" she whispered almost inaudibly. "B-But what about…"
"To hell with Enishi. You don't have to worry about him." He said, voice turning as hard as steel.
"Don't kill him!" she almost screamed, knuckles gripping his gi and her face painted with terror. His answer left her numb.
"You are Mine Kaoru. MINE. And I won't forgive anyone who stole what has been MINE. "
The sun was just about climbing its way above the wide cerulean firmament of the sky. Though still dotted by many a star, its beauty was enough to create a magical aura as its first rays touched the earthen lands of Tokyo.
A lone figure watched the breath-taking sight before her eyes. Leaning against the cemented railings of the wide veranda, she couldn't help but sigh, drawing the blankets tighter in her form as she seriously pondered the last events that happened in her life.
Kenshin…
The name of the man she had fretted the most now escaped her drying lips. It had all happened so fast. One moment she was running away from Enishi, and then she had suddenly collapsed in his arms to wake inside the Imperial palace itself and finally, in a span of one night, things had settled between them.
It was confusing.
Last night…
She couldn't help but feel the warm heat that was slowly rising on her cheeks. And as memories of the night before flittered in her mind, slowly, she closed her eyes in a deliberate attempt to remember his touches.
FLASHBACK
YOU ARE MINE KAORU… MINE. AND I WONT FORGIVE ANYONE WHO STOLE WHAT HAS BEEN MINE.
His words scared her. This wasn't Kenshin, the man she learned to love. His tone implied that he wasn't playing anymore and he really intended to keep his word.
She was just about to protest when he suddenly silenced her with a hard passionate kiss, melting all of the delinquency she had wanted to say. And though so many thoughts still ran loose on her mind, she couldn't help but kiss him back, her world suddenly becoming coignited with passion.
He grasped her tighter and all of a sudden, hands were flying in all direction, nimble fingers carelessly touching.
She shook her head. Even provided with their unlikely circumstances, even if it was their first evening together after so many years… they had been so bold as to venture in that area in so juvenile a time…
Skin against skin…
Clothings were torn and thrown to the darkest corners of the room…
His gaze was smoldering as he bore his eyes in her nude form. Amber orbs clashing with anger and frenzied passion seeing her bruised body, she had expected his kisses to be fierce, brutal as to be carried with such wild dash of emotions.
But that was not so.
He drew a staggering breath, clenching his hands into tight fist before he pulled her form tighter to his, his lips running over her face with such gentleness and tenderness she could not place. He was shaking; she could feel him underneath his touch. And for a moment, she considered the glimpse of something silvery slide past his face.
"I'm sorry… I'm so so sorry…"
It was all he could murmur, voice heavy with guilt and remorse. Even as she tried to pacify him, for fear that he would give in to the melancholy, he continued to caress her gently, like a man would do to a remarkable piece of fine glass he was so afraid of breaking.
She had to smile upon recalling how soft and soothing his touches had been. For one who had just been chased and battered, Kaoru for one could not blame herself for enjoying the feel of his skin against hers. She wanted it… she yearned for it and no matter how difficult circumstances had always been… she was glad for it.
Their joining, even so the first as it was, was different. Even as passion and lust clouded her senses, she could feel that he was holding back… his fingers moving slowly and not as savagely as she had thought would be. The rhythmic movement he had set was slow and languorous, so unlike how she had imagined it. She could feel that he was scared, scared of hurting her… again… and yet, no matter how unlikely her first night of love with him turned out to be, she knew, nevertheless that she took pleasure in it no matter how guilty it made her feel afterwards.
"There you are."
Sapphire eyes widening in shock, she felt strong sturdy arms wrap form behind her waist pulling her in a loose embrace as she turned around to face him, face painted with surprise.
"Kenshin?"
He nodded, watching with satisfaction the creeping blush on her cheeks as she noticed that he too, was clothed with nothing more than a mere white sheet of blanket.
"I'll have you know that I don't tolerate any woman of mine standing naked with only a blanket for cover in my veranda for all the world to see." He whispered in the shell of her ear, voice joking and yet somewhat producing shivers that raced up to her spine.
It feels so wonderful to be held in his arms… I have wanted this… for so long and yet… is this right?
"Kaoru?"
She turned her back against him once again, trying hard to ignore the fact that his hands had just tightened on her waist. She did not want him to see her distress, moreover feel it in such early a morning and after all, he is the emperor of Japan, he had more problems to think about other than the weird emotions she was dying to show.
"Nano you desu ka?"
His voice was laced with worry. Her ki was painted with despondency and confusion. He could tell that she was fighting very hard not to show her emotions and yet…
"Iie… Betsuni nan dayo." She whispered, although feeling the irritable sting of tears in her eyes.
I won't take your word for it love. "Kaoru, there is something wrong. I could feel it. Please… tell me what's bothering you…" he requested, placing his chin atop her shoulder like a child wanting a story from its mother.
She sighed, knowing that he would only further press the topic if she would not so to speak. But everything need not be said…
"It's nothing really… Some silly notion I've been having." She answered trying to dodge his question, as well as his gaze.
An ebon eyebrow rose. "Are you not happy that we're finally together?" he asked, not at all bothering to keep the hurt from his voice.
"NO!" she answered almost defensively, ki flaring into brightness before lowering down. "No… that's not what I meant Kenshin."
"Then what it is?"
Again, she sighed, before turning to face him, fingers slowly creeping to gently touch his scar. Closing his eyes, he leaned on to her touch, breathing her name in the process.
"Kaoru, love, please… tell me… I don't ever want to lose you again… tell me what's bothering you…"
His plea was punctuated with a soft kiss on her lips, drawing a shuddering breath from her before she spoke.
"It's just that… I don't know if this is right… Kenshin… I'm still married to Enishi…" she murmured softly, a stray tear falling down on a pale cheek.
A calloused thumb gently wiped the film of water before he answered in a fierce voice.
"To hell with Enishi… I don't damn care about him!"
"But this is still not right…" she answered, voice quavering.
"What he did to you was no right thing in the first place." He challenged stubbornly, eyes settling an amber shade.
"I…I…but this is just not right…" she murmured miserably, tears falling down her face.
"What do you mean? Don't you love me?" he questioned her, voice hard with seeping anger.
"I do Kenshin. I do. And that's what's eating me in the first place. Think Kenshin… if the others knew about this… about us…what would they think of you? For godssake you're the emperor! Would you like them to think of you as someone so lowly as to sleep with a married woman?" she asked, sapphire eyes clouded with remorse, guilt and whatever emotions of the like.
"To hell with them. I don't care about what they think. You are mine Kaoru. And the rest is just point Blanc oblivion." He concluded amber eyes steeled with determination.
She shook her head, unwilling to be cajoled. "You say I am yours? They do not know that Kenshin. They know nothing about this. All they know is that you are emperor and I, the wife of Enishi."
The moment that utterance came out, Kaoru instantly knew it had been the wrong words to say.
He had her pinned against the cold hard wall under his firm hold. His arms had been tightly clamped against hers to prevent any movement as he suddenly crushed her lips in a savage, almost painful kiss. She moaned in protest but could do nothing to prevent him from further silencing her words with his tongue. He was mad, he was in denial and he would do nothing as so to believe anything she had to say about her marriage with Enishi. Kaoru Kamiya has been stamped as his and Kenshin would make sure it would remain that way.
The first thing that registered on her mind, when she opened her sleep clouded eyes, was the firm hand that was grasping her waist. Moving slightly, she felt a heavy weight that was settled atop her exposed chest. Fire colored hair met her gaze as she realized that it was indeed, Kenshin's head that was resting on it.
Eyes turning wistful, she could once again feel the surge of guilt running through her mind. Kenshin is now the emperor… he has so many things to do rather than sleep and love me all day and yet… I'm being selfish as to keep him to myself…
Of course she would like to think that both of them had been literally starved of each other's touch that it would take them many an hour… or that including days before the paint of lust, desire and tumultuous passion would be washed away.
She sighed, allowing her fingers to run on the soft almost silk-like feel of his scarlet locks. Beautiful… he was beautiful in almost every way… The deep crimson color of his hair, darker than any shade of blood she had seen… the soft amethyst glow of his eyes, or the fierce animalistic luster of amber orbs… the deep crevasse of his cross scar on his left cheek… his calloused hands… his muscled chest… everything… everything drew her like a moth to a flame…
He buried his face deeper on the crook of her shoulder reminding her of an infant who yearned for its mother's touch. Murmuring her name softly, briefly, she wondered if he was awake, or she was the one who was occupying his dreams. Deciding to choose the latter, she felt sleep envelope her senses and gently fluttered her eyes close to do so.
Kenshin…
The place reeked with the suffocating smell of western tobacco and the room was dirty, scattered with bits of paper and scrap. Though the first rays of light had made its touchdown on the ground, darkness still burned with only the candle to give its light.
In the middle of the room sat three men, namely Sanshou Okita, second leader of the squad Shinsen, Kintoku Yamino, third leader of the squad Shinsen and Hajime Saitou, first leader and over all commander of the squadron Shinsen-gumi patrol.
Hajime Saitou, the man behind all the revolts of anti-royalists.
The youngest of the trio, that being Okita, wore a look of anger, bloodlust and a wild passion of fury that showed evidently on his hazel brown eyes.
"We have to move quickly! Our men are slowly losing faith. They want action! Revenge! War! And yet they are hiding, cowering from the eyes of every scrutinizing Japanese man that come their way. Change in the government will never be brought about if we continue to sit and rot here all day, discussing idiocracy and stupid banalities we are too slow to do!"
"You are a fool Okita." Countered Yaminobu grey eyes hard with disagreement. "What we are doing, is something important. It is the foundation of our plan. If we do not plan this properly, ultimately, we would fail, and the Shinsen squad will fall. I am ashamed that you are so childish as to think of our meetings in that stupid manner."
Yellow amber eyes watched with slight interest mixed with disgust the two adults who had started to fight and argue like mindless boys fighting over a game of marbles. Finally, when their words all but rattled his nerves, one strong fist came down on the hard wooden table allowing a loud thud to reverberate on the four corners of the room, ultimately silencing the two men.
"That is enough." His tone was hard and commanding. "I will not tolerate stupid fights over my men. The Shinsen patrol is composed of fine warriors. Not stupid idiots who fight over nothing." He directed his gaze towards the younger man. "Okita, I am disappointed to hear those words from you. You, for one, should know that what we are doing is for our sake. It would work as an advantage. I know how you feel. But we have to wait. Our timing has to be perfect." He concluded, still disapproving the strong, powerful anger he knew only wreckless youths were able to create. "As for you, Yaminobu," he started, turning towards the bearded man. "I am disappointed and disgusted to see you arguing with a child."
With that, Hajime Saitou stood up, took a long drag on his cigarette and started towards the exit of the room.
"When do you plan to attack?"
A wolfish grin graced his lips even as his eyes settled on the color of molten steel.
"Soon Okita. Soon."
She woke up to find the sun high atop the heavens and having the bed alone for herself. Startled, she scrambled back to her feet, unbelieving that she could sleep as late as in the afternoon when she heard a soft knocking on her door. Uncertainty settled on her mind as she mentally debated whether to open the door or not.
"Kamiya-san…The emperor has sent me to give these to you… please open the door…"
The soft, almost child-like voice from behind the wooden beam convinced her that the person would be probably harmless. And if Kenshin was the one who sent it…
"Come in."
Surprise flickered in her eyes when it revealed a young girl, no more than the age of fifteen carrying a lumpy parcel in her hands. Bowing respectfully, she entered the room with small measured steps.
"The emperor wanted me to give this to you. He wanted to tell you that you will probably be needing it." She bowed, unable to meet the older woman's face.
Shaking slightly, she took the package she offered and opened it, cerulean orbs widening with surprise.
There in her hands lay a silken kimono, soft and smooth to her touch colored with hue of sapphire and indigo. Purely made of silk, it was decorated with delicately hand woven butterflies and sakura petals each intertwined with gold threads.
"Kirei…" she whispered as she fingered the soft material. The young teen nodded with agreement, glad to find the woman happy. Earlier that morning, the emperor himself had excused her and had explained to her that someone special was sleeping in the room of his. Entrusting her with a parcel, she couldn't help but feel proud that she was the only living soul in the palace to know about her for the man had requested her seal of secrecy.
"Kamiya-san… Himura-sama told me he wanted you to wear that kimono. He said he would be happy if you would do his request."
Gladly…Smiling kindly towards the girl, Kaoru couldn't help but trust the young teen.
"I will. Tell me, what is your name?" she asked gently, not wanting to startle the girl with her sudden forwardness.
"Watashi wa, Sanjou Tsubame desu. But you can call me Tsubame or Tsubame chan." She smiled before suddenly blushing fiercely, her shyness getting the best of her. Laughing slightly, Kaoru grasped her hand gently smiling in reassurance. "Hai. Tsubame then. I am Kamiya Kaoru. You can call me Kaoru or Kaoru nee-san."
Hazel eyes widened with astonishment. "Nee-san?"
The older woman nodded. "I could tell that you can be trusted and since, you're the only one I could talk with while I'm being here, I suppose we could start treating each other like sisters." She explained.
"But Kamiya-san… You…you still don't know me…" the girl stuttered, unbelieving that she could be so trusting.
"Never mind." She answered with a wave of a hand. "It doesn't matter whether I know you fully or not. As long as its fine with you, it's okay for me if you treat me like a sister ne?"
For a while, Tsubame could not speak. Finally, a brown head bobbed in agreement as she replied with a painfully shy voice. "Hai Kaoru-neesan"
It was going to be a long day for him. Kenshin could feel it. There were so many things to do, so many problems to be solved and he found himself rubbing his temples as he made his way towards his room.
Stopping at the foot of the door, he allowed a smile to chase his lips. Behind that barrier was the woman he loved most. And even if his paperwork piled high up upon his nose, as long as she was with him, safe, everything would be alright. And that perhaps was the best of all.
Knocking softly before opening the door, amethyst eyes widened with shock with the sight that met his eyes.
She was wearing the kimono he had given her and even if her back was against him, the picture she made certainly took his breath away.
The clothing was neither too tight nor too loose. Hugging her body in all the right places and flaunting her curvaceous form, the sleeves tapered off towards her elbow and slid past her long silken arm. Her hair was let down, allowing to fall in the graceful expanse of her back as she suddenly faced him, face flushed with excitement and anticipation.
"Kenshin!" she exclaimed, immediately blushing with the look he regarded her. Possessive, lustful, passionate, love and ardor, everything was transpired in one smoldering gaze.
Crossing the room, he gave her one head to toe stare before locking her in a kiss, delighting the feel of her arms encaging his neck. Tongues battling in a passionate dance, only when the need of oxygen arose did they release one another, each one gasping for breath.
"Beautiful… you are beautiful…" he murmured against her ear, tongue flickering to lick the delicate shell.
She shuddered, leaning on to his touch. "I only dress to please you." she replied cattily, lips capturing his in a brief kiss.
"And you do a good job at it."
She laughed, unbelieving how beautiful and carefree he could make her feel. How terribly light and happy she felt whenever she was with him, either talking or touching…
"I woke to find you gone… where did you go?" she questioned, a mock pout gracing her lips as she fought the urge to smile. Shaking his head, he replied in an almost apologetic voice. "In the court. I had so many things to finish…" he trailed off, focused in only capturing her in a kiss.
His answer was enough to set her guilty once again. Bowing her head, she murmured silently, almost ashamed of herself. "I'm sorry… I should have known you wouldn't want to be disturbed."
He shook his head. "Don't say that. It irks me. You should know you are no nuisance. Leave it at that. I am entitled to have a break Kaoru. Though I am the emperor, it doesn't mean I am not entitled to still enjoy my life." He almost berated.
"D-demo…"
"Stop it Kaoru." He countered almost angrily. Seeing the look of despondency on her face, his tone softened, "Stop it Kaoru-love." He punctuated with an endearment. "You should know that you are the most important thing in my life and you are the only person I indulge myself into."
His tone left no room for argument and she had no choice but to nod that head of hers. Allowing a small smile to tug at her lips, she allowed her gaze to wander in the wide expanse of his room, eyes settling on the small, wide mahogany table stacked with papers.
"What are those?" she suggested.
"Oh… they are papers waiting to be signed." He answered in a nonchalant manner. Crossing the room, he settled on his zabuton, grasping the feathered pen to start his job.
"Treaty of Shaku, Agreement of…" watching him sort his paper in a careless manner, she smiled as she settled herself to seat beside him, resting her chin atop his shoulder to watch him while doing his work.
Inwardly he sighed. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine Kaoru, sitting beside him in such intimate a position. Never had he thought the day would still come when he would be given a chance to hold her in his arms. Yes… fate could be quite surprising at times…
Nuzzling his hair with her face, quietly, he laughed allowing a giggle to erupt from her lips as well. Pointing a delicate finger to one of the papers, she nudged him, whispering something in his ear and making him laugh in response. Both of them would have continually enjoyed the moment had it not been for the loud rapping on the door.
"Kenshin! Kenshin!"
Startled, he quickly regarded his gaze towards the direction of the voice. Only one person had the nerve to call him in his name and that was…
"Sanosuke? What are you doing here?" he asked, confused with the sweaty panting form of the man. For a moment, hazel eyes flickered to rest on Kaoru's face before returning back on Kenshin's form. "Pal, you tell me about the chick later. There is something you have to know."
"What is it?"
Restless brown eyes traveled the emperor's features. "Kenshin, word has gotten in that Hajime Saitou, leader of the first squad Shinsen patrol is planning for a revolt in the Satsuma. Knowing what kind of bastard he is, if we don't move now, the samurais in Shinseki and Yokohama will be involved as well! We have to do something about it!
Upon hearing the word 'revolt' and 'shinsen' amethyst eyes turned the violent shade of amber. Seeing the enraged look on the emperor, the younger man hastily excused himself, not wanting to be the person he would be as likely as to unleash his fury upon. War… revolt meant war and he knew that the red head would not take this as something sitting down.
From her distance, Kaoru watched his features shift from light into extremely maddened. This caused worry to filter her mind and upon hearing the other man's words, Kaoru suddenly felt a sinking feeling at the pit of her stomach. Sparing him a look, he caught her gaze and their thoughts united as one.
War has broken out…
And everything will change…
TBC...
Some responses to my reviewers >".
nes: Thanks for reviewing in every chapter! You're really inspiring me!Thanks for boosting my confidence! I hope you review for the next chapters!
royal blueKitsune: Yeah I agree... they made out too fast ayt? But I dont want this story to be too much of a drag... some people say it already is :Sobs: Oh well...sorry for confusing yah with the chapter though :)
animelubber22: WOW! I cant believe how supportive you are! From my first fics up to this one you reviewed! Yay! I have to say you did play a good role in giving me a pep boost! I hope you could feed me some ideas... how this story might end and blah... coz I'm really running out. (",)
Sims are awesome: Like what I said, YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME! You've reviewed my works since the start. Thanks! I hope you keep on reviewing this one! I just wish yah wouldnt tire from giving me pep boosts hehehe :)
To the others: I would really want to thank you one by one... but its already midnight and my eyes wont dang open in front of my PC... I'm already drooling with sleep you know... Anyways... I must really thank you and ask you to keep on reviewing.
THANKS! DONT FORGET TO REVIEW! ON WITH THE NEXT CHAPTER!
CIAO!
bluerose