A/N: Thx to those who reviewed! Here's my response:
StormHornet – Heh. Yeah. English class. LOL!
To a horrible writer – Look to the bottom, sweetie.
Rurouni-maxi – Okay, to answer your questions: yes, she was kidnapped. She has escaped. Two years have passed, making her 19. And no, you're not a dumbass. I'm a dumbass for not explaining things properly.
Reignashii – It will; don't worry. It's supposed to be confusing LOL!
WhiteRabbit5 – Yay! I like this one better too… -bows- Thank you sooo much!
battosaichick – I will update soon! And this one's better! Nyahaha!
royal blueKitsune – Yay for sequel indeed! -hugs- you are very kind.
Recap –"Sou ka. Himura will be out later, so if you just go to your cabin and change, you can come to sit outside the Conference Hall. But do not enter. I do not need my warriors ogling you when they should be listening to me." He got off his horse. "Now go."
The Color Black-Red – Chapter 2I dismounted from Shura and went on my way. I went to my cabin and had a sudden urge to kiss the floor. But I did not. I had to keep up my lady like appearance for a while longer. I changed into a navy blue dress that was long and puffy sleeved, a specialty of Tanu-san, the Indian woman who is the dressmaker in this village. We have Sekihara Tae and her helper Sanjo Tsubame to thank for the food. I went to the bench outside and sat on it. I do not know how much time passed, but eventually few men passed by, one was Yukishiro Enishi, who had wanted to court me, but I had refused. He came up to talk to me with an odd look on his face.
"Konbanwa, Kaoru-koishii!" Enishi greeted devilishly. "How is my one and only doing?" Those were the exact words he said to me two years ago. Enishi had a pretty fierce look about him: tall, with white hair and those dark, circular glasses always perched on the bridge of his nose. He annoyed me so much. A couple years back he wanted me to fall in love with him.
"Hello, Enishi." I shook my head and sighed. "I've told you once, I've told you twice, I've told you one thousand times," I lifted my head and saw Himura Kenshin, his long red hair flying behind him, amber eyes flashing. "I am not in love with you." Even these words were dry on my lips and I was not looking at Enishi.
Enishi looked to where I was staring, sighed angrily, and stepped to the side. "Stupid Himura Kenshin," I heard him mutter.
"Oh, excuse me, Enishi, I'm … uh… sorry." I quickly ran to Kenshin but he didn't see me, he was looking at the sky. "Kenshin!" I called as I ran up to him.
He did not hear me.
"Kenshin!" I called again.
He looked at me and seemed to not recognize me.
"Kenshin!" I was not far from him now. He could see me clearly. "It is I, Kaoru!"
He cried out and ran toward me. Well, it wasn't really just a run. It was more of a mad, desperate dash. "Kaoru!" he yelled, hugging me so tight that I nearly fell over. "Kaoru!" He was crying. "I have been searching for two years, my aisuru!" he kissed the top of my head and his tears fell on my face. "Kaoru… is it really you?"
"Kenshin-"
But he just kept crying, and saying my name repeatedly. "It is really you? The woman I love… who I have been searching for …" he let me go and examined my face. His amber eyes were full of love. "That awful day… you just disappeared! I have been searching the land for you for so long…" he calmed down a bit. "My Kaoru…" he whispered, his hands cupping my cheeks. He hugged me again and kissed me. "It has been so long… too long, Kaoru." He stared at me for a long time. "You are… so beautiful." He hugged me to his chest. I think he was crying again. "With that same black hair, and those same sapphire eyes…"
I smiled. "And to think you are so happy to see me when you did that awful thing to me years back… remember? You broke my heart."
Kenshin winced. "Don't remind me of that, Kaoru."
"Hello Daughter." Then the stern voice of my father, Kamiya Koshijiro, cut through the air. Kenshin let go off me and I ran to my father and – after a moment's hesitation - hugged him. He stiffened. "Daughter. Never again disappear."
I hung my head and whispered, "It is not my fault…!"
"You, Kaoru, went to a place unknown while I was out at sea," my Father reprimanded. Seeing my sad face his voice softened. "Do not cry. It is alright now."
"But… it was…"
"Not now, Kaoru. Look who is here," Kenshin interjected.
I turned to stare into the eyes of Kamiya Tomoe, my sister and best friend, and inside I leaped with joy. Staring at Tomoe, and then turning to my father, and then to Kenshin, I almost started to cry.
Kenshin rushed forward and put his arms around me. "What's wrong, Koishii?"
"I'm just so happy…" I said softly. "But where is Niichan?" I asked quietly. My question went unheard. I would have asked again but Tomoe turned and hugged me so hard I heard my ribs crack.
"Imouto! Guess what?" she cried.
"I know not." My mask was gone. I was truly happy.
She stuck her tongue out at me and said, "You never want to guess." She looked at my father and Kenshin. "…Father, Himura-san, could we have a moment of privacy?"
Kenshin smiled and my Father just looked away. They said, "Of course." And together they walked away to the doors of the Conference Hall.
"He finally did it Kaoru! He – he –" Tomoe was deliriously happy.
"What? Who? Tomoe-nee!" I cried. "Tell me!"
"Akira – he he –"
"For Kami's sake Tomoe! He what?" I yelled. In that instant, I acquired a few curious glances.
"He proposed, Kaoru-chan!" Tomoe cried, hugging me. "We're to be married in June!"
"Oh, Tomoe-chan, I'm so happy for you!"
She grinned at me. "And I'm positive that Kenshin will pop the question soon!" She winked at me.
"Tomoe!" I shook my head in embarrassment. "Kami-sama!" she grinned and we hooked arms and headed for where my father and Kenshin were. "What were you talking about?" asked my father.
"Oh, nothing," Tomoe said, flushing.
"No really –" Kenshin started, his eyes twinkling.
Suddenly an annoyingly piercing voice cut through the air. "Oh my goodness! Look who it is!" A girl, who, unfortunately, I recognized, ran up and latched onto Kenshin's arm. She spotted me and said snottily, "And look who it isn't."
"Chizuru," Kenshin sighed and detached himself.
"Damn you, Chizuru! Why do you always ruin everything?" I cried. Seeing my obvious anger Kenshin and the others stepped back.
Raikoji Chizuru, an old enemy of mine, winked at Kenshin behind me. "Maybe Kenshin feels differently. Don't you my dear Ken-san?" Chizuru tried to kiss him.
I bet steam was just about coming out my ears right then. "Raikoji Chizuru! How dare you… you little conniving wench of a girl!"
Kenshin patted my head and held my arm.
"Let go, Kenshin. I've not hurt this wench in far too long." I broke free and threw a punch at Chizuru. "I'm going to kill you, you… ahou ga!"
"Kaoru!" my father exclaimed. I saw him look around to check if any one of high status was around. Sou ka. He was just trying to keep up appearances.
TBC…A/N: The second chapter is complete! Yay! Do you guys like it?
Please review my story!
P.S.Dear 'to a horrible writer',
The kind of review that you have written clearly states that you dislike my story. But without any constructive criticism, your review not only displays low intelligence, but is also a complete waste of space.
Have a nice day.