The Concubine

By: Saku-Yume

Chapter Three: The Pleasure Gardens

Kaoru followed the emperor's most trusted shogun deep into the alleged pleasure gardens, feeling anything but pleased. She tried to keep her countenance about her so she would not immediately upset the emperor. She wrung her small hands under the sleeves of the robe she found spread on her bed. She had to admit it was quite lovely being of light blue spun silk with silver trim and light pink sakura floating down the stream design to her hem. Perhaps she might allow herself to feel a bit more confident and relaxed in the face of her anxiety, especially after the emerged from her room and noticed the way Kenshin looked at her.

Kenshin. He seemed so. she couldn't describe it. There was a strength that drew her to him. Even though she'd only met him moments ago, she felt as though she had already met him. Like their souls were connected somehow. She laughed at herself. How silly to think such things. She chalked her strange thoughts up to acute delirium as a result of the heavy perfumes in this garden that seemed more like a forest.

"I'm glad to hear you laugh, Ms. Kaoru. Perhaps the lady is feeling more relaxed?"

Kaoru snapped to attention to find Kenshin glancing over his shoulder at her. It seemed he was expecting some sort of response.

"Actually," the sound of her voice startled her, as it was clearer than she thought it would be. She softened it. "Actually, I'm feeling a bit strange. The scent in here is quite heady."

"His majesty picks blooms of the most. intoxicating scent." Kenshin said with a hint of something she couldn't quite detect.

She hesitated. "May I." She stopped.

Kenshin stopped and turned toward her. She felt she might faint when he fixed his deep violet gaze upon her. She averted her eyes. He must have taken her gesture for timidity because he stepped closer and tilted her chin up so he had her gaze again. "Please," he whispered, "do not hesitate to ask for anything, my lady. I. his majesty, would want you to have anything you desire." Kenshin's hand dropped pointedly. He really should try to stop handling his brother's new concubine this way.

"I only wanted to ask," Kaoru whispered, feeling her skin burning where his fingers had been only moments before. "Why you refer to his majesty so formally. I mean, is it because you must refer to him in this way for my benefit or do you always behave so removed from him?"

Kenshin was dumbstruck momentarily. At her boldness or her accuracy he wasn't completely sure of yet. For a woman in her position to be so forward was almost fantastic. Any other of the shoguns, or any other man for that matter, probably would have slapped her to her knees for her invasiveness. Not that he had any such intention. This only proved to him that she was not like the other women here and her stay would certainly be interesting. She certainly would be a match for his brother. At that thought he felt jealousy rise and spread throughout his mind. He pushed the feeling down before he planned to speak.

Kaoru realized she must have offended when his silence stretched on. She immediately clasped her hands and bowed deeply. "Forgive me, my lord. I had no right."

Kenshin smiled. "On the contrary. Your question is a valid one and should be answered as such. I refer to my brother in this way out of respect for his position and accomplishments. That is all."

Kaoru nodded and didn't push further even though she could tell he wasn't giving her the complete truth. When he began walking again, she followed without another word.

*****

They soon reached a clearing. There was a lovely marble fountain in its midst and the luxuriant vegetation abounded all around.

"If the lady wouldn't mind waiting here for his majesty," Kenshin led her to the fountain so she might sit at its base. When he pulled away she wouldn't let go of his arm. Her eyes had grown wide and her breathing was shallow. Her nervousness had completely broken over her. He knelt before her and gently removed her hand. "Everything will be okay, Kaoru," he whispered. She felt a warm sensation down her back when he whispered to her. Comforting and frightening at the same time.

She looked at him and nodded after a moment. She smiled to reassure him that she believed him and she nodded back before rising and disappearing from the clearing.

She had a few moments to herself before the emperor would arrive. She tried breathing deeply to calm herself. Just as she was feeling a bit more relaxed, she got the feeling someone was watching her. She turned this way and that trying to find the source of her discomfort, but found none.

"My brother was right."

She turned and gasped. There at the edge of the clearing stood a tall man. He had short silver hair and penetrating blue eyes. He stood a head and shoulders taller than her and was well muscled. His smile was calculating and concealing. Her breath caught in her throat to see him. His presence struck awe and fear into her heart. As much as she knew she must bow at this moment, she couldn't move.

"You are. exceptional." He stalked toward her his gaze never wavering, his smile never fading. She felt like prey to a predator. She honestly believed he might eat her, as his eyes told of every intention of devouring her, but perhaps not in the way she might have initially thought. Suddenly she felt. warm.

He unfolded his strong arms when he was standing just in front of her and held out a hand for her. She took it slowly, her eyes unable to leave his. She stood, entranced.

He took his other hand to gently trace the lines of her face with his fingertips. She was delicious, he thought to himself. Poignantly perfect. And her apprehension. made it all more palpable. He licked his sensuous lips and let his deep voice rumble within him.

"Your name. Give it to me."

She found her knees were weak. She tried to speak but only warm breaths emerged from her lips. It amused him to see her so. She tried again with better results. "Kamiya Kaoru," she rasped gently.

"Mmmm," he purred. He leaned forward and inhaled her scent. "Delicious. You are appropriate of your namesake."

Kaoru had never felt anything quite like this before. Part of her was frightened. But another part of her was. what? Intrigued? Fascinated? Whatever it was if she took in any more she must faint again.

She looked away shyly. She could feel her cheeks burning. He still held her hand and she didn't dare try to remove it. But she wanted nothing more than to run away from this intoxicating seduction.

"Do you not find me attractive Kaoru?" his deep voice rolled.

She made the mistake of looking back into his eyes. It's not as if she could find comfort looking anywhere else.

"No, your majesty, I mean, yes, your majesty. I mean." she stammered.

He chuckled. His hands went to the base of her back and he pulled her closer. Kaoru felt her heart beating faster than the wings of a hummingbird. And if she weren't flustered enough, he put his lips ever so close to her ear as he said, "It's alright, my exquisite one. I know you are not used to my presence yet. But you will become well acquainted, I can assure you."

He allowed his lips to play gently over the silky-smoothness of her neck and felt himself growing more and more aroused by this delicate flower. Never had the concubines before her intrigue him so. Yes, they were all beautiful, but there was something so. vulnerable about this one. So innocent. So. edible. Was it her need to be in a position of power or high status? No. the others. That's what they wanted. They were all so selfish. So taking. Even his first wife had grown to be this way. But she. this Kaoru. She had a very giving spirit. One that he would gladly partake of.

Kaoru could hardly believe the feelings he was eliciting from her. Her eyelids sagged heavily and her body hung suspended between limp unconsciousness and tense curiosity. His body moved gracefully against hers and she felt his warmth lacing through her body. Her body screamed for more. Her mind screamed for an escape. So conflicted was she that she didn't hear her subconscious mind betray her as she moaned in pleasure.

He pulled her just far enough away so that he could see her flustered countenance. He smiled his mysterious smile and closed in on her.

"Enishi."

Suddenly Kaoru felt her haze leave her. She felt like she'd been drinking slightly and stood a bit dizzy from the experience. When she focused she saw Kenshin standing at the edge of the clearing, a look on his face she couldn't quite read. When she looked to the emperor, he had a look of slight annoyance on his face. "Yes. brother?" He bit the word off slightly, a hint of hostility in his voice.

"Your presence is needed urgently. In your first wife's chambers." Kenshin nodded curtly.

Enishi's eyes narrowed for a moment and then he smiled, the tension completely gone. "Very well." He turned back to Kaoru and took her hand, kissing it gently. "I shall see you again soon, my lovely one."

This time Kaoru found it significantly easier to bow. "Hai, Your Majesty."

"You may call my Enishi-san. It is what all my women call me."

She bowed again. "Hai," she whispered. "Enishi-san"

He smiled once more before turning to leave. "You will return her safely to her chamber to change for dinner this evening, Kenshin, and escort her there as your guest for the evening. I do believe my wife will be demanding my time in her delicate state." He stalked past his brother, head high.

When they were alone again, Kenshin forced himself to remain to hide the raging conflict within him. He did not know why hearing his brother treat her that was angered him so. The jealousy refused to leave him. But he forced a smile.

"This way, my lady." He turned and walked back the way he'd lead her earlier.

Kaoru followed sensing a change in Kenshin once again. She was afraid to ask him anything. She'd just been through too much emotional turmoil for one evening.

When he dropped her off at her room he didn't linger as he had before and before she knew it, she was alone again. She wanted to cry. She was so confused. Everything was so strange. So new. And the small flicker of hope she'd once seen in Kenshin seemed to have disappeared. She slid to the floor of her plush new apartment and sobbed silently.

She just wanted to go home.

*****

A/N: So I hope you enjoyed it! Gosh was that seduction scene a task to write, but it had to e perfect. Anyone think my choice for emperor was a good one? A bad one? Let me know! Sorry it took a bit for me to update but sometimes my readers don't understand that I have a life outside of ff.net (as much as I would love to live here perpetually. But unfortunately, I don't get paid for this)

At any rate I was going to make the emperor Soujirou, but when I thought about all of the plot twist possibilities with Enishi. oooh, it made me tingle! Was it sexy enough for you? Did you feel what Kaoru felt??? God knows I want to! Hee hee..

BTW: The reference to Kaoru's namesake. From what I can tell her name means fragrant grass in or from the valley of the gods. Cool, ne? Correct me if I'm wrong cause it's possible that I am but even so lets just pretend that that's what it means in this fic as I have no intention of revising that delicious line any time soon.

******

Some replies:

*~*Kawaii Wallflower*~* said:

I really like the story so far! I hope you keep up the good work! ^_^x Is Soujirou gonna be in it? I hope so, call me crazy, but I like him a lot!

Saku-chan said:

Gee, I hope I didn't disappoint. Maybe I can find a part for him in here just for you *^-^*

Lauren said:

why do i get the feeling that enishi's gonna be the emperor or something...

please update!^^

Saku-chan said:

How very perceptive of you! *^.~*

Selph said:

YAY!! U finally updated!! ^__^ Hee! So Kenshin iz not da emperor, but hiz brother? DAMN!! I didn't see dat one comin'. Heh-heh, so unpredictable. Diz makez da story even more interesting now. So Kaoru iz gonna have an affair wid da Emperor'z brother. Oh... So, who'z da LUCKY emperor gonna be? O- yeah, so are u gonna write a lemon? Heh-heh... ^_~

Saku-chan said:

You know it, baby. And with two very sexy leading men, the lemony freshness should abound, ne?

Saku-chan out PROMISING TO UPDATE ASAP!!!!