The Concubine
by: Saku-Yume
Chapter Two: Arrival
Kaoru arrived at the palace a beautiful porcelain doll in her delicate and ornate box to be delivered to the emperor. On her long ride to the capital she hadn't really allowed herself to become nervous. It wasn't until she pulled into the grand circular entryway that her stomach began to turn.
The sight was extraordinary. Vast lawns and lush gardens surrounded the golden jewel that was the palace. She smells of exotic flowers and the gentle sound of running water echoed in every corner of her surroundings. The slightly golden alabaster of the pillars and walls glistened giving the palace an air of altered reality.
"Good day, my lady."
Kaoru snapped out of her haze and settled her eyes on the source of the voice. There stood the most handsome man she'd even laid eyes upon. He wasn't very tall but he had a strong stance, though relaxed in his existence. He wore a fine silk lined robe and pants of imperial red and deep royal blue trimmed in gold. He was adorned and decorated exhibiting his obvious amount of military successes. His well kept red hair was held in a casual, albeit neat, ponytail. She blushed under his steady violet gaze and dipped her head low in a display of respect. If this was the emperor, this concubine thing might not be quite so unbearable as she foresaw, for she was instantly attracted to this man.
"Ohayo Gozaimasu, Ou-sama," she almost whispered.
The man smiled slightly, taking the young woman in. She was visibly nervous, which was to be expected. She'd obviously never been in the presence of the emperor before because had she been she would have clearly noticed that he was not his majesty. She did, however, have quite a noble spirit about her and a certain grace in spite of her anxiety. And she handled her royal idiosyncrasies well, bowing to just the right level. Either she'd trained well or it came naturally to her. He leaned toward the latter.
She was still bowing steadily as she sat waiting. He took the last few moments to take in her appearance. Her raven hair looked soft well cared for. Her skin was slightly tanned hinting at an extended amount of time in the sun. She wore her kimono well, but seemed slightly uncomfortable. There was something different about this young woman that he'd never seen in any of the others before her, arriving only for personal gain. She didn't seem to want to be here, but still showed an amazement that she was. She was delicate yet strong. An intriguing contradiction.
She was also exceptionally beautiful.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, my lady, but I do believe you're mistaking me for someone else. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Shogun Himura Kenshin, the emperor's military advisor. I've been sent to escort you to your new quarters and then to the pleasure gardens where you will await his majesty. He wanted to ensure your safety."
Kaoru's heart sank and her cheeks reddened at her blunder. Not only had she made a bit of a fool of herself in front of this handsome man, but he was not the one she'd come to. work for. She looked up as the horseman opened her door for her. She stepped out delicately and tried to stretch her legs inconspicuously. "My safety, Shogun Himura-san?"
Kenshin smiled ruefully. "His majesty takes great precautions with his two passions; his empire and his women. And he entrusts both of their safeties to me." When she remained silent he held open a hand. "If you would follow me."
He led the way beyond the front walls of the palace. They passed through many gardens that housed a multitude of exotic plant life and animals. Kaoru saw many beautiful women as she passed. She watched them in awe. They watched her with measured curiosity.
Soon they reached a long passageway with many doors. "This is the area where all of the emperor's concubines live. There are about twenty five at the moment. His majesty's first wife lives in a separate part of the pleasure gardens with her servants." Kenshin stopped in front of a door and slid it open. "This is your room. Your things should be inside already. I will wait here while you change into your lighter robes."
Kaoru stood still for long moments looking slowly from Kenshin to the door and back. Her stomach began to flutter. She couldn't do this. she felt weak.
She awoke to Kenshin holding her against him and gently stroking her cheek. "My lady," he called. Her eyes fluttered. "Are you alright?"
"What happened?" she asked wearily.
Kenshin smiled. "I do believe this was all a bit much for you today." He hesitated. Perhaps he should maintain the professionalism he was required to keep with this girl. But something inside drew him to her. She was so unlike any of the other girls the emperor accepted here and soon grew tired of. She had an uncommon essence.
His hand rested gently on her face and she was forced to look at him. Her eyes questioned his gentle touch. She felt something in him change. It was not the same impersonal visage he wore previously. She opened her mouth and closed it again.
"Everything will be alright." He paused. "What is your name?"
"Kamiya Kaoru," she whispered.
"Well, Miss Kaoru, I know it seems a bit overwhelming now but you will grow accustomed to your new surroundings. His majesty is a noble man. you may even grow to love him. I will always be here. to help." He could feel her innocent gaze burning through him. He needed to get up now.
He lifted her gently and guided he into her new room. "You must change for his majesty. Wear something light. The gardens can become quite humid at this hour."
Kaoru bowed slightly and Kenshin returned the gesture before leaving the room and sliding the door closed behind him. Once outside he sighed and waited for her in silence. In all of his twenty two years he had felt this way about a woman only once. Until today. The feeling was strange in it's immediacy. He knew though, that no matter what he may be feeling he would not, could not, afford to make any feelings he had known. Especially in front of his brother. His Emperor. For he might have been an astute military and political figure. But he was very territorial. That could be seen in every aspect of his regime. But none more evident than with his wives. Kenshin had never condoned the way his brother lived his personal life but until now he never saw a reason to protest it. For it was just that- his personal life. He would always do as he pleased. Besides, his women were all quite shallow or had no other desire than to be the wife of a powerful man. To use their beauty to get them through life. But something. something was different about this Kamiya Kaoru. She was not in place here.
Kenshin sighed. His thoughts were running away with him, which is something he very rarely allowed to happen. He concluded that no matter how he might think he felt about this young woman, he knew better than to get between his brother and his playthings.
*****
*** Thank you all so much for the reviews!!! I hope this chapter lived up to your expectations and I hope to hear more back from you. Tell me what you think. Too fast? Too slow? Need more internal explanation or less? Let me know. ***
-Saku-
*****
An e-mail I got:
Rei said: hello for the concubine will kenshin be in battousai mode or rurouni mode? (E-mail removed)
Saku-chan said: There's a big opportunity for both sides to come out. I don't want to reveal too much though *^.~*
*****
Maeko-Nohara said: UPDATE!! Please? *puppy eyes* I'll give you a cookie if you do!!
Saku-chan said: I updated! Where's my cookie???
*****
Selph said: WAH!! Diz iz interesting. But it'z sad what Kaoru haz 2 do... _ Ne-wayz, who'z da emperor gonna be? Eh,Eh? Enishi, Sano, Kenshin, Aoshi, Chou, Soujirou, Amakuasa, Kamatari or... Yahiko? LOL!! Pleeze upate soon!!
Saku-chan said: Hope I didn't disappoint by not making Kenshin the emperor. But I think it adds a bit more of a scandal to the story. or it will.
*****
Gurl said: DOnt take a million years to update k? ^_^ i REALLY wanna see how this turns out please please please continue!
Saku-chan said: *blush* are you just saying that or do you really know me as a procrastinator? I am notoriously bad at updates. But I'm a college student, minna-san! I have homework and deadlines! But I really want to finish this one for you
*****
LittoGrrlStephie said: UPDATE! PLZ OH PLZ MAKE THE EMPEROR KENSHIN! Is this in China, since I don't think Japan ever had a Emperor? Well from all that I know, i know that the King back when had 30 concubines and could put any of them up as one of hus queens. Do continue!
Saku-Yume said: I do believe that the monarchy of Japan was an empire.
by: Saku-Yume
Chapter Two: Arrival
Kaoru arrived at the palace a beautiful porcelain doll in her delicate and ornate box to be delivered to the emperor. On her long ride to the capital she hadn't really allowed herself to become nervous. It wasn't until she pulled into the grand circular entryway that her stomach began to turn.
The sight was extraordinary. Vast lawns and lush gardens surrounded the golden jewel that was the palace. She smells of exotic flowers and the gentle sound of running water echoed in every corner of her surroundings. The slightly golden alabaster of the pillars and walls glistened giving the palace an air of altered reality.
"Good day, my lady."
Kaoru snapped out of her haze and settled her eyes on the source of the voice. There stood the most handsome man she'd even laid eyes upon. He wasn't very tall but he had a strong stance, though relaxed in his existence. He wore a fine silk lined robe and pants of imperial red and deep royal blue trimmed in gold. He was adorned and decorated exhibiting his obvious amount of military successes. His well kept red hair was held in a casual, albeit neat, ponytail. She blushed under his steady violet gaze and dipped her head low in a display of respect. If this was the emperor, this concubine thing might not be quite so unbearable as she foresaw, for she was instantly attracted to this man.
"Ohayo Gozaimasu, Ou-sama," she almost whispered.
The man smiled slightly, taking the young woman in. She was visibly nervous, which was to be expected. She'd obviously never been in the presence of the emperor before because had she been she would have clearly noticed that he was not his majesty. She did, however, have quite a noble spirit about her and a certain grace in spite of her anxiety. And she handled her royal idiosyncrasies well, bowing to just the right level. Either she'd trained well or it came naturally to her. He leaned toward the latter.
She was still bowing steadily as she sat waiting. He took the last few moments to take in her appearance. Her raven hair looked soft well cared for. Her skin was slightly tanned hinting at an extended amount of time in the sun. She wore her kimono well, but seemed slightly uncomfortable. There was something different about this young woman that he'd never seen in any of the others before her, arriving only for personal gain. She didn't seem to want to be here, but still showed an amazement that she was. She was delicate yet strong. An intriguing contradiction.
She was also exceptionally beautiful.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, my lady, but I do believe you're mistaking me for someone else. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Shogun Himura Kenshin, the emperor's military advisor. I've been sent to escort you to your new quarters and then to the pleasure gardens where you will await his majesty. He wanted to ensure your safety."
Kaoru's heart sank and her cheeks reddened at her blunder. Not only had she made a bit of a fool of herself in front of this handsome man, but he was not the one she'd come to. work for. She looked up as the horseman opened her door for her. She stepped out delicately and tried to stretch her legs inconspicuously. "My safety, Shogun Himura-san?"
Kenshin smiled ruefully. "His majesty takes great precautions with his two passions; his empire and his women. And he entrusts both of their safeties to me." When she remained silent he held open a hand. "If you would follow me."
He led the way beyond the front walls of the palace. They passed through many gardens that housed a multitude of exotic plant life and animals. Kaoru saw many beautiful women as she passed. She watched them in awe. They watched her with measured curiosity.
Soon they reached a long passageway with many doors. "This is the area where all of the emperor's concubines live. There are about twenty five at the moment. His majesty's first wife lives in a separate part of the pleasure gardens with her servants." Kenshin stopped in front of a door and slid it open. "This is your room. Your things should be inside already. I will wait here while you change into your lighter robes."
Kaoru stood still for long moments looking slowly from Kenshin to the door and back. Her stomach began to flutter. She couldn't do this. she felt weak.
She awoke to Kenshin holding her against him and gently stroking her cheek. "My lady," he called. Her eyes fluttered. "Are you alright?"
"What happened?" she asked wearily.
Kenshin smiled. "I do believe this was all a bit much for you today." He hesitated. Perhaps he should maintain the professionalism he was required to keep with this girl. But something inside drew him to her. She was so unlike any of the other girls the emperor accepted here and soon grew tired of. She had an uncommon essence.
His hand rested gently on her face and she was forced to look at him. Her eyes questioned his gentle touch. She felt something in him change. It was not the same impersonal visage he wore previously. She opened her mouth and closed it again.
"Everything will be alright." He paused. "What is your name?"
"Kamiya Kaoru," she whispered.
"Well, Miss Kaoru, I know it seems a bit overwhelming now but you will grow accustomed to your new surroundings. His majesty is a noble man. you may even grow to love him. I will always be here. to help." He could feel her innocent gaze burning through him. He needed to get up now.
He lifted her gently and guided he into her new room. "You must change for his majesty. Wear something light. The gardens can become quite humid at this hour."
Kaoru bowed slightly and Kenshin returned the gesture before leaving the room and sliding the door closed behind him. Once outside he sighed and waited for her in silence. In all of his twenty two years he had felt this way about a woman only once. Until today. The feeling was strange in it's immediacy. He knew though, that no matter what he may be feeling he would not, could not, afford to make any feelings he had known. Especially in front of his brother. His Emperor. For he might have been an astute military and political figure. But he was very territorial. That could be seen in every aspect of his regime. But none more evident than with his wives. Kenshin had never condoned the way his brother lived his personal life but until now he never saw a reason to protest it. For it was just that- his personal life. He would always do as he pleased. Besides, his women were all quite shallow or had no other desire than to be the wife of a powerful man. To use their beauty to get them through life. But something. something was different about this Kamiya Kaoru. She was not in place here.
Kenshin sighed. His thoughts were running away with him, which is something he very rarely allowed to happen. He concluded that no matter how he might think he felt about this young woman, he knew better than to get between his brother and his playthings.
*****
*** Thank you all so much for the reviews!!! I hope this chapter lived up to your expectations and I hope to hear more back from you. Tell me what you think. Too fast? Too slow? Need more internal explanation or less? Let me know. ***
-Saku-
*****
An e-mail I got:
Rei said: hello for the concubine will kenshin be in battousai mode or rurouni mode? (E-mail removed)
Saku-chan said: There's a big opportunity for both sides to come out. I don't want to reveal too much though *^.~*
*****
Maeko-Nohara said: UPDATE!! Please? *puppy eyes* I'll give you a cookie if you do!!
Saku-chan said: I updated! Where's my cookie???
*****
Selph said: WAH!! Diz iz interesting. But it'z sad what Kaoru haz 2 do... _ Ne-wayz, who'z da emperor gonna be? Eh,Eh? Enishi, Sano, Kenshin, Aoshi, Chou, Soujirou, Amakuasa, Kamatari or... Yahiko? LOL!! Pleeze upate soon!!
Saku-chan said: Hope I didn't disappoint by not making Kenshin the emperor. But I think it adds a bit more of a scandal to the story. or it will.
*****
Gurl said: DOnt take a million years to update k? ^_^ i REALLY wanna see how this turns out please please please continue!
Saku-chan said: *blush* are you just saying that or do you really know me as a procrastinator? I am notoriously bad at updates. But I'm a college student, minna-san! I have homework and deadlines! But I really want to finish this one for you
*****
LittoGrrlStephie said: UPDATE! PLZ OH PLZ MAKE THE EMPEROR KENSHIN! Is this in China, since I don't think Japan ever had a Emperor? Well from all that I know, i know that the King back when had 30 concubines and could put any of them up as one of hus queens. Do continue!
Saku-Yume said: I do believe that the monarchy of Japan was an empire.
