Disclaimer: You should all know this by now.
Author's Note: This is a little gift for all those that reviewed my other fanfic, What the Hell is Going On! I'd like to say, thank you for being patient with my lack of grammar, spelling, and interesting plots. If any of you guys want a lemon, please say so in your review. Thank you.
The Winter of My Assassin Lover
-Chapter 1
Kaoru sat at her window, taking in the view of the bridge that overlooked the river near her glorious mansion… It was the lovely season of summer. The sun shone brightly, the birds flew to and fro, and, most of all, the people walking about in the open, chattering happily about nonsense things and enjoying their time in the outside.
Kaoru hated it. Oh yes. Kaoru hated it all. She was more than envious of them. She was the daughter of a wealthy politician, the jewel that will eventually go up for sale to other wealthy politician's sons when she becomes of age. Despite more than 15 servants attending to her every need, despite the glorious white house she lived in, despite the riches that middle-class can only dream of having, despite everything she has, Kaoru would more than willingly give it all up to be one of them.
That's right. She was jealous. The girl that had everything and everyone bowing at her feet was jealous, jealous of the lowlifes that did the bowing. It was ludicrous. That's why she told no one, not even her handmaid that managed to become her closest friend, and especially not her father. Oh, she hated him the most.
"Kaoru-sama! Oh, Kaoru-sama!" A singsong voice cried out in the hustle and bustle of the hallways.
The nightgown-clad girl turned away from her sightseeing to the maid that was calling to her. "What is it, Misao?"
"Kaoru-sama?" she asked, opening the door and bowing respectfully," Your father request that you get ready for tonight's event."
Kaoru looked at her with dumbfounded look as she closed the window. "What event? I wasn't notified of any event!"
"Forgive me, Kaoru-sama. But your father wanted it to be a surprise. You are turning 18 tomorrow, the right age, and he wants you to find a suitor as soon as possible," the maid replied, gently placing a large dress on the many blankets of Kaoru's bed," Would you like me to help you with your attire?"
Kaoru eyed the article(s) of clothing wearily before nodding. There is no way in hell she can put on that corset by herself.
---
"Oh shi-!"
"Ah! Forgive me, Kaoru-sama! I pulled the strings too much!"
Kaoru held onto the post of her bed as Misao tied the back of her 'dress'. "What kind of dress is this!" she exclaimed, struggling to breath.
"No worries, Kaoru-sama!" she comforted, trying to tie the strings," Your father said that it is the latest style of clothing in France this time of year!"
"Ah, screw the French!" Kaoru shouted, swatting her maid's hands away and throwing off her corset," I don't need all these fancy things!" She threw off all her jewelry to the ground and ripped up her skirt.
"Kaoru-sama!" Misao gasped, picking up the shreds that scattered all over the floor," That was very expensive! You father is sure to get angry!"
When her mistress didn't answer, Misao looked up to see Kaoru picking out a simple kimono out of her vanity drawers with a melancholy look on her face. "Um… Miss? Why are you so sad?"
Almost immediately, Kaoru lit up and smiled. "Nothing, nothing. Look, Misao!" She presented the white kimono in front of her maid," My mother wore this when I was a little girl. I'm sure she would have wanted me to wear it!"
Misao subtly frowned. She knew Kaoru more than anyone, and she knew that Kaoru's sudden change in mood was an automatic mechanism that she subconsciously developed to prevent her from hurting any more.
"Ok, so, how do I look?" Kaoru asked, twirling around proudly in the kimono of her deceased mother.
Misao smiled at her affectionately, as a loving sister would, and answered," You look like royalty."
Kaoru frowned a bit, but it soon turned into a smile, making a complete 180. "Of course I do! I'm the Queen of All Oddities!"
Misao chuckled at Kaoru's childish antics, tying her mistress's hair into two Chinese buns as she scampered around the room in joy. "Queen of All Oddities? Why Oddities, your highness?"
Kaoru turned around to look at her handmaid after she finished inserting the last hairpin. "Oh, you know…"
"No, I'm afraid I do not. Enlighten me, your highness," Misao said, humoring the girl.
"Because, my dear handmaid," Kaoru said, a juvenile grin gracing her young features, much like a child anxiously waiting for their birthday presents," Someday, I'm going to hightail out of this hellhole. And, when I do, I'll find him."
Misao smiled at Kaoru's statement. She knew the 'he' that Kaoru was talking about was the man of her dreams, literally. It plagued her almost every night, giving her mistress the love and affection she can never get in this mansion. Ever since these dreams started, Kaoru was set a goal to find him, and how can she do that when she can't even get out of her own 'home'?
Misao's internal clock rang, signaling her that it was almost time for the party. "All right, Kaoru-sama! It's time for you to meet the man of your dreams!" She pinched both of her mistress's cheeks and pulled at them.
"How do you know he's going to be there?" Kaoru questioned, talking funnily by the way her handmaid constricted her mouth's movement.
"I have feeling. Now go, go!" Misao let go of Kaoru's skin and went behind her, pushing at her back so that they might get to the surprise event faster.
---
Kaoru put a hand up to cover her yawn, the party obviously boring her. 'I wish Misao was here… All these people look conceited,' she though dejectedly.
"Kaoru-chan!" A stout, bearded old man called out to her.
"Hm?" Kaoru obeyed, walking up to him in a regal sense," Baron Seta? Did you need something?"
"Oh my dear girl," he chuckled heartily, obviously drunk from the way his chubby cheeks were pink," No need for formalities! We're all friends here aren't we?"
'Or so it seems, you old windbag,' Kaoru thought with disdain as the drunken baron swung an arm over her shoulder. But her expression was the exact opposite of what she feeling at the moment. "What is it that you needed?"
"You know how, gulp that your father and I are close companions, darling?" Baron Seta asked, occasionally taking a sip from his drink here and there.
"Yes, I'm well aware of that," the uncomfortable girl replied, not liking where this is going.
"So it would make sense if you were to marry my son, correct? After all, your father and I are as close as brothers!"
'Tch, yeah right. You just want his money, you dingdong.' "I fail to see where you're getting at, sir."
"Ah! Smart one, aren't you! You'll make a suitable wife!"
Kaoru tried not to snort in her own humor. 'Smart? A suitable wife in your taste is one that's stupid enough not to know if she was screwed or not.' "Oh sir, you flatter me so. I don't think I'm worthy of your compliments." 'Not they're worth much, I tell you.'
"Nonsense, my dear!" He took off his arm from her shoulder and used it to motion for a boy to come over in their direction. "Kaoru-chan, this is my son, Soujiro!"
Kaoru inwardly gasped. It was him! No doubt about it, it was the boy that Kaoru dreamt of every night! 'It's him! It's him!' she thought hurriedly,' But… why's he here!' As usual, Kaoru's facial expression didn't betray her inner thoughts.
"Why, it's an honor to meet you, Soujiro-san," she said, bowing respectfully in a European fashion, though her clothing was Japanese.
"No, the pleasure is mine," he replied, bowing in the same manner. He was wearing Japanese style clothing as well. Kaoru bit her lip in anxiety; his voice is just how she imagined it! But why was he being so formal! This wasn't the way she imagined him!
"Umm…. Kamiya-san?" he asked, noticing how she was staring at him in confusion," Is there something on my face?"
Kaoru was shaken from her thoughts. 'No, it's not him. He wouldn't act like this! Why does he act so empty? And-and…. So fake!' she mentally convinced herself. But a little voice from the back of her head told otherwise.
"What did you expect? For him to sweep you off your feet? I don't see a broom anywhere."
Kaoru became irritated at this little intrusion. 'As much as I like your sense of humor, please refrain from intruding into my own little episode of wallowing in self-pity and sorrow.' But the voice replied back, as though it were smirking.
"Did you just insult yourself?"
Kaoru frowned. 'Shut up, you.'
"Um, Kamiya-san?"
"Call me Kaoru."
"Ah, yes, um, Kaoru-san?"
"What is it?"
"Am I bothering you in any way?" Soujiro asked, seemingly nervous at her response.
"Ah? Oh! Oh no, no, no, no!" Kaoru exclaimed, frantically waving her hands back and forth as she blushed from surprise," What makes you think that, Soujiro-san!"
He smiled, an understanding smile as a parent would smile over their little one. "You seemed deep in thought and you had all sorts of emotion playing through your face."
"Oh no… I was thinking…" Kaoru said sheepily, rubbing the back of her head with her right hand.
"Really? Oh, well, in that case, go on ahead. I just wanted to make sure you were all right," he concluded, returning his attention back to the middle of the party, where his so-called father was.
That's when Kaoru noticed; his lips. For some strange reason, Kaoru felt the urge to kiss. Yes, it might sound childish… but Kaoru wanted to experiment, wanting to know what it was like to kiss.
And, before either one was aware of it, Kaoru held both of Soujiro's side bangs down and placed a soft peck at that moment.
"Kaoru-san? What are you-"
Before he could say anymore, Kaoru silenced him with another kiss.
"Just experimenting…" she answered with a small, playful voice. They started kissing, with nothing malicious behind their actions. It's just plain, innocent experimenting, much like two children would do.
But their little occurrence had to be stopped. Kaoru immediately pulled back, turned the other way, and sneezed. She blushed, hiding her nose with her sleeve. "Ugh, I'm sorry, Sou-kun."
Soujiro laughed. This time it was genuine. The ringing sound was so new and clear to Kaoru's ears that she couldn't help but feel her spirits lighten.
"Well, well," a haughty voice said from behind Kaoru," What do we have here?" A firm, nail-polished hand grabbed her shoulder and spun her in the other direction. "The little princess thinks that she's so important that she doesn't have to wear formal gowns, does she?"
"Why, Priscilla-san," Kaoru said with sarcastic joy, a strained smile making its way to her face," How are you this fine evening?"
"Lovely, thank you," the arrogant girl snorted, fanning herself with the feather fan, obviously showing off the most expensive jewelry dangling from her neck," I see you're not wearing the latest designs from France. Pity, I'm sure it would've looked better on you than that worthless, simple, kimono." Priscilla glanced at Soujiro for a moment. "Well, who's this fine gentleman?"
"I'm Soujiro Seta, of the Seta family," he introduced, bowing the same way that he did when he first met Kaoru. Kaoru frowned a bit, disappointed that his mask façade has returned.
"Why, I'm Priscilla, Priscilla Morgan, of the Morgan family," she said seductively, fluttering her eyes at him, "I'm also the heiress to the Morgan fortune."
"That's very nice. I'm happy for you." To Priscilla, it sounded like an invite to her flirty actions, but, to Kaoru, it sounded like a failed attempt at complimenting the obnoxious girl.
"Why thank you, Sou-chan. But… I've noticed that you've been hanging around with this…. Girl…." Priscilla made a revolted look on her face.
"Yes, I have. Do you disapprove?"
"Do I disapprove?" she repeated, a wide smile on her heavily made up face," I like you already! Why don't you come hang with me for a while and I'll show you what it's like to have fun?" She grabbed onto his arm only to find that Kaoru removed her hand.
Kaoru glared at the girl opposite of her. "If he wants to be with you, he'll do so by himself."
"If he wants to be with me, then you should let him do so," Priscilla retorted, her flirty front long gone. "But I shouldn't expect someone like you to understand!"
Soujiro remained quiet, being a bystander to the whole argument.
"At least I'm not some pretentious, pompous woman that has to have servants do her walking for her!"
Having no more insults to yell at Kaoru, Priscilla retorted with something she hasn't used in a long time. Her voice was calm and mocking," Well, I shouldn't expect you to understand the ways of the wealthy! After all, you're the child of a whore! You were only taken under Kamiya-san's wing out of pity!"
Kaoru couldn't take anymore. Kaoru smacked her that girl right in the face and yelled," Why are you such a bitch!" before she ran straight up to her room and collapsing on her bed, crying silently.
---
Kaoru sniffled as streams of water rolled down the sides of her cheeks. She froze when she heard the door click open.
"Go away," her voice croaked out.
"I just wanted to make sure you were ok."
"Does it look like I'm ok!" Kaoru angrily shot back, hiding her face in the pillow she was clutching as Soujiro walked into the room.
Shutting the door behind him, the brown-haired boy examined the confines of her room. It was simple, unlike so many of the bedroom she had seen owned by people such as her and Priscilla.
"Kaoru-san?" He reached out to her, only to have his hand slapped back.
"Don't touch me."
"Kaoru-san…" Soujiro started, feeling a bit regretful that he had when Kaoru continued sobbing but did not lose face," Kaoru-san… What's wrong?" He rubbed her back comfortingly, putting his arms around her when she didn't stop him this time.
"Aren't you disgusted by me?" she managed to whisper out.
"Now why would I be disgusted, Kaoru-san?" Soujiro asked, playing dumb.
"Don't be stupid. You know why. It's because I'm a child's whore. And you never know when I'll follow in my mom's footsteps… I just blemish your reputation too if you don't stay away from me."
Soujiro frowned visibly at her and Kaoru wondered what she had said that caused to change his mood. "Well, Kaoru-san," he said, another empty smile gracing his features," I'll let you in on something. You're not the only one. You see, I was the son of the heiress to the Seta fortune. The only problem: they didn't know who the father was. My mother told me that she didn't tell them because she knew that they would never accept him. He was just a common man, a middle-class worker. Even so, she loved him."
Kaoru looked up at him, seeing the hatred that glowed like embers in his eyes as he continued.
"As a result, they disowned her, but, for some reason, they took me in. But before you say anything, I would have much rather preferred to be disowned as my mother had been. They beat me, all of them. I did their rice business, I slept outside, I ate their scraps. But that was after all heirs to their fortune died in an epidemic, they had no choice but to make me their heir."
"Sou-Sou-kun…" Kaoru stuttered in disbelief," Are you sure that they died in an epidemic?" She wasn't so sure that that was the cause of their deaths. She had a feeling deep down in her gut that it was something else. It was definitely something else.
Soujiro's eyes somehow turned into a golden hue, making his expression into primitive lust. "How'd you know?" he growled out, putting his hands on either side of Kaoru," That I killed them?" With that, his lips fell upon Kaoru's and both bodies feel upon the bed.
----
thundersister: How's that for a little romance? I remember, when I was at the beginning of my fan fiction life, every time I saw the word 'lips' I would blush. But now, only the word '-----' makes me blush… Try and guess what it is. . One clue: 5 letters.
