The Concubine
by: Saku-Yume
Chapter Five: A New Perspective
Kaoru was waiting nervously outside of the Emperor's formal chambers. He had summoned her this morning to discuss the bureaucracy of her position in his harem. Not that he was required to do so with a concubine, but in her case it was necessary. Her father had not offered her up as some sort of favor. She had sought the position. Only the emperor and Kenshin knew of this, of course, because if it got out she would surely be the subject of much talk. What sort of desperation must a woman have to beg to be in the service of the Emperor? It was a position one was volunteered or chosen for. A respectable woman did not invite the position herself. That was unheard of...
The door opened and the Empress glided through it. Kaoru immediately felt a shadow of trepidation come upon her. She tried to avert her eyes as she bowed her head respectfully, but she soon realized that the Empress was watching her. She could feel her eyes burrowing into the top of her head. She slowly looked up.
"What are you doing here?" Taki asked in great disgust.
"His majesty has summoned me, my lady," she whispered lightly.
Taki's heart jolted. Why was her husband so very interested in this concubine? He'd never summoned one before in the light of day. Not unless there was some travel planned for the day. She turned her nose up at her girl and placed her hand on her swollen belly as if to taunt her. "Hmph. Try not to embarrass yourself again, child. He will find you even less attractive." Taki stormed off, head high.
Once Kaoru was alone again she sighed resting her head on the cool alabaster wall behind her. She did not like that woman. She wondered just how long she would have to put up with her attitude.
She pushed the hint of rebellion down. This was not the time or the place to become self righteous. That fighting spirit of hers would have to remain checked.
The doors swung open again and the servant boy beckoned her inside. She rose and smoothed her white and gold kimono before proceeding.
Enishi's eyes rested on her and he smiled in spite of his irritation. Taki was unhappy again and was trying stubbornly to have her way this morning. She thought herself persuasive. He found her obstinate. She was obviously unhappy with the presence of this young Kaoru. He could understand. Kaoru could stand up to any of the women in his harem as far as beauty. And then there was that little something about her...
Kaoru bowed, hands pressed in reverence. Enishi was looking at her like that again. It wasn't quite so unnerving as before with his rounded spectacles obstructing his gaze. She still felt as if he was stripping her bare.
When the door was once again closed and they were the only ones left in the ornate office, Enishi spoke. "So, Lady Kaoru, what extraordinary circumstances bring you into my service at your own behest?"
Kaoru sat in the chair he offered and folded her hands in her lap. He seemed not so... dangerous? "I must request your assistance, Enishi-san. My father is ill and I can no longer care for him any longer on my own. I hoped you might find a place for me but instead of compensating me personally you might allow your generosity to be extended to my family. I have debts to repay to many people who have helped me and my father requires medical attention..."
Enishi smiled and took off his glasses, setting them down pointedly. He looked up at her and said plainly, "Say no more, my lady. Whatever you wish will be done. Before the night is out your debts will be paid and your father will be tended to by my personal physician."
Kaoru's heart almost burst. She smiled at Enishi for the first time. Despite his initial lasciviousness, he was being kind and generous with her. She was so happy she wanted to leap from her chair and kiss him. But, for many obvious reasons she could not. Overwhelmed, she bowed deeply to him. "You have my eternal gratitude, majesty."
Enishi rose and walked around his desk to sit upon it in front of her. "Quite."
Kaoru's heart stopped for a moment. That slight lilt had returned to his voice. The very same one that he had in the garden. She was too afraid to look into his eyes.
Enishi tilted her chin upwards and was pleased to find the same strange mix of intrigue and terror in the young beauties eyes. He leaned toward her and whispered warmly onto her full trembling lips, "I will enjoy your servitude, my dear, as will you. I will take very good care of you... if you do not deny me my desires."
Kaoru shivered. "And what might those desires be, Enishi-san?"
Enishi chuckled deep in his chest. "It might be best I show you, my loveliest." Then he kissed her deeply. Kaoru felt the warm heat of desire flowing from him. He wrapped strong arms around her helpless body. She was forced to stand to compensate for their difference in height. Part of her screamed for an escape, but she knew that no one would be able to save her this time. There was no Kenshin around to rescue her. But she couldn't very well pull away from his majesty now. Especially since he'd just agreed to her pleas. She just had to stand there and let Enishi do as he pleased. She tried to concentrate on the thought of her father getting well. Then perhaps she wouldn't yield to these feelings Enishi was eliciting with his kiss.
She thought: would it be so bad to yield to him? He was generous, after all. Perhaps she could learn to love him and maybe then her time here would not be so traumatic. But something in her kept thinking of Kenshin; those warm lovely lavender eyes, that soft fiery red hair, that well toned chiseled war endured body he must have under those imperial robes...
She became aware by Enishi's pleasure wrought moan that her thoughts must have been translated. He thought the desire she was experiencing was in response to him and had no idea it was all for his most relied upon courtier. She felt terrible. The only way, it seemed, she would be able to make it through this eternal lifetime she'd found for herself was to stay away from the one man she could not help thinking of and think of him only when in the presence of a man she could not truly love as she must.
Enishi pulled away. Kaoru made him feel... he couldn't describe it. It had been a long time since anyone had made him feel this way. Not since his dear beloved sister Tomoe... The actions were different, but the emotion was surely the same. It rattled him. He had not loved anyone since Tomoe. Could it be possible?...
They stood there staring at one another for some time before Enishi cleared his throat. He'd not come this close to losing control since after hearing of Tomoe's death. It was a bit too much to take this early in the morning. "I hope everything is to your liking in the palace," he said turning from her, the seduction absent once again. He put on his glasses. "I've received from my accountants the final figures I've requested for your monthly salary and weekly allowance. On top of the assistance I am extending, you will receive the amounts outlined in these documents." He handed her a scroll embossed with the royal seal. "Please do not hesitate to ask Himura for anything you might desire. Until I need him for more legislative reasons, he is to tend only to you."
"Thank you, Enishi-san." Kaoru whispered.
"Do not worry about the Lady Taki. I will try to see that you two have as little contact as possible. In three days the royal court is going on a summer retreat to my estates in Osaka. If there is anything you require you may inform Himura or myself and I will see to it that you receive it as soon as possible."
"Thank you, Enishi-san." She took a final bow and quietly left the office. The door closed securely behind her she sighed silently. That was too intense. She looked down at the scroll in her hands. She was almost afraid to see it. Surely it was a larger sum than she'd ever earned teaching Kamiya Kasshin Budo. She walked onto the open balcony overlooking the sprawling imperial lawns and fountains. She sighed and carefully opened the scroll. She sat reading through the documents carefully. She nearly fainted to find the amount of her monthly salary was much more than she would make in a year if she taught a full class of students every single day. And her weekly allowance was just as exorbitant. When, where and how would she spend all of that?
Before she had time to contemplate further she read her list of obligations as the emperor's concubine. While most were obvious and embarrassing to think about, one line did catch her eye. If she bore any children for the emperor, they would become eligible for the throne in the face of any untimely event on Enishi's part. And thus, she would be promoted to the rank of imperial wife, thereby receiving a much larger salary and more privilege. Was that supposed to be some sort of incentive? Kaoru was slightly offended. No wonder Taki was so pompous. She had been the first to bear Enishi a son.
Kaoru secretly hoped she would not become pregnant for Enishi. She was already cemented here as it was. But the way things were presently, if they remained that way, perhaps she would find a way out some day. But if she had a child, especially a boy, she would have to stay here forever. Kaoru said a small prayer that she would not have Enishi's child. Perhaps it was a little wicked of her, and maybe she'd pay for her sins by never ever bearing a child for anyone if the chance befell her, but it was a price she was willing to pay. If she was ever going to bring another life into this world it wasn't going to be with a man she didn't love and hardly knew.
"I find a woman deep in thought to be one of the most attractive of sights."
Kaoru was startled out of her thoughts and looked up to find Kenshin standing in the arch of the balcony smiling at her. She smiled back warmly, inclining her head to him. "My lord is too kind."
Kenshin walked toward her and took the seat next to her that she offered. She really was quite lovely today. But then, how was that different from any other day?
"What, might I ask, has you looking so pensive this morning, Kaoru?"
She raised the scroll and smiled ruefully. "Just looking over my salary contract. There are certain bylaws, which are most... audacious."
Kenshin laughed. "That is quite a diplomatic way to put it. May I?"
Kaoru handed him the papers and tried to pretend she didn't feel the heat in his touch as their fingers brushed.
Kenshin pretended to clear his throat to begin reading over the documents. Kaoru saw him raise his eyebrows and asked, "Is something unusual?"
"I don't think I've ever seen an entrance salary this high before. The emperor must favor you," Kenshin said with a lilt of anxiety in his voice
"Well, that's great," Kaoru said brushing it off, not catching his tone. "I don't want favors. I'm just glad my father will be taken care of."
"Yes, that is good." Kenshin rolled the documents back up and handed them to her.
It was then that Kaoru noticed what he was wearing. It was a practice gi, albeit an imperial one. "Were you... exercising?" she asked.
Kenshin looked down and laughed. "Oh pardon my appearance. I was on my way to the practice yards to work on my technique."
Kaoru's body yearned for the strain of a good sword practice. It had been a while since she'd held a sword. For months before her arrival she was not permitted to use the sword so that the calluses on her hands could be treated and heal. It was not attractive for a woman to have bruises on her hands.
"What technique might that be?" She asked, the longing not hidden in her question.
"Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. A deadly technique passed down to me by my master, Soujiro Hiko." Kenshin say and heard the infatuation in her voice. "Do you... like the art of swordsmanship?"
Kaoru's mind felt numb at his words. He knew the lethal art of Hiten Mitsurugi? How lucky must she be to be in the presence of such a one? "I... my father... his is the style of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. I was his student... a long time ago."
"Yes..." Kenshin mused. "You have the grace of one who borne the weight of the sword." He thought a moment. "Perhaps you would like to come with me to the practice yards?" he trailed off.
Kaoru's eyes lit up. "Could I?" Kenshin nodded and stood, offering her a hand. She took it and let him lead her to the practice yards.
*****
Not too long after, Kaoru sat on one of the benches bordering the large practice yard Kenshin had chosen in which to work. It gave her a chance to observe his technique, she added secretly, his physique.
He started slowly, making a few passes to work out his balance before a group of servants entered the yard with a log as thick as a large tree trunk and stood as tall as Kenshin's chest. They set it to stand in front of him and backed away quickly. She watched him take a stance, eyes serious and focused. Then in a lighting movement he'd unsheathed the sword and it was on the other side of the log. Her eyes widened and a small gasp escaped her. All was still for a moment and then the log split across the middle and the severed piece fell to the ground.
Just as quickly Kenshin's sword was sheathed and he turned around and took off running so fast Kaoru couldn't determine where he had been until he was no longer there. He bounced off of the wall, his body turning in midair and a feral yell tore from his throat as he unsheathed his sword again and came down on the incapable log. Then he was on the ground, knees bent, sword sheathed once again. The log split vertically down the middle, each half falling to its respective side.
The servants applauded, feeling privileged to witness the great assassin's technique. They came to take away the logs and Kenshin stood and turned to her. Kaoru's expression was still that of shock.
She stood and walked over to him, offering a towel. "I've never seen anything like that in my life."
Kenshin smiled ruefully. "Usually it's the last thing seen by those who do. But at least here in the palace only the logs are subjected to my training. Besides, we can use it for firewood when it gets chilly." He smiled cheerfully, his expression the exact opposite of the one he wore moments ago.
Kaoru smiled back at him but wondered just what more this man could do if pushed. He must be a very deadly opponent indeed. No wonder he was Enishi's most trusted military leader. She couldn't help wondering though, if maybe that was also a part of what riffed between the two men. Or was it perhaps the cause of the reason.
*****
A/N: Hope you all enjoyed the chapter! I'm hoping it's not too soon to start having the characters act on situations without explaining too much anymore as to why they might do so. I hope I've developed them enough so that their actions explain themselves. Anyway I appreciate all of the reviews and feedback. Hopefully the story will be complete by the end of the year as my Christmas break is fast approaching (Yay!) Hopefully I won't have to spend it serving Peppermint Mochas at Starbucks so I can write :P Thank you all again and please get back to me soon. The next chapter is coming soon to a FF.Net near you!
Some Replies for my readers:
Catti said: great story, keep it up, don't worry too much about the thesis class it will be over with soon enough, I take my frappucino without whip cream. lolololol
Saku-Yume said: :P Thanks. Actually I used to take mine without whip too until I actually started to work there. Now I don't drink frappucinos..... something about making 3000 of them in an hour killed it for me. Lol
Lady Senie said: What a fascinating tale! I love the language of it. Your grasp of the characters' emotions and the depths that you've infused in each one is absolutely amazing. I don't usually read unfinished stories - too often they are abandoned in the middle of good plotlines or turn into horribly trite and predictable endings.
Your work has a vitality to it that is refreshing. Please continue to update. ^_^
Saku-Yume said: Wow! Thank you! I am extremely flattered by your review!! I promise not to let you down (
Orchidaceae said: this fic is getting very interesting :) you might have mentioned it before, but can you remind me again.. will this be a kaoru/kenshin or kaoru/enishi :) I myself would prefer kaoru/enishi :) not much out there that is written will :) well let me know :) please update soon :)
Saku-Yume said: Well... I suppose a bit of a hint won't hurt. It's mainly K/K (because, my God, who doesn't love them together?) but I promise bit more Kaoru and Enishi action. And To everyone: I keep getting a lot of worried Q's about who will "take Kaoru's flower". Of course I can't tell, that would ruin a deliciously lemon scented chapter. But don't worry, okay? I promise whatever happens will be done tastefully. (And hopefully I won't lose the fan base...)
AnimeBrat said: YAY! I LOVE IT! *slaps Taki* EVIL BITCH!
Saku-Yume said: Ha ha! Perfect reaction! That's exactly what I was going for!
Thanks again for the great reviews! And the funny Starbucks comments. I'm sure my boss would love to see them!
*Saku-Yume*
by: Saku-Yume
Chapter Five: A New Perspective
Kaoru was waiting nervously outside of the Emperor's formal chambers. He had summoned her this morning to discuss the bureaucracy of her position in his harem. Not that he was required to do so with a concubine, but in her case it was necessary. Her father had not offered her up as some sort of favor. She had sought the position. Only the emperor and Kenshin knew of this, of course, because if it got out she would surely be the subject of much talk. What sort of desperation must a woman have to beg to be in the service of the Emperor? It was a position one was volunteered or chosen for. A respectable woman did not invite the position herself. That was unheard of...
The door opened and the Empress glided through it. Kaoru immediately felt a shadow of trepidation come upon her. She tried to avert her eyes as she bowed her head respectfully, but she soon realized that the Empress was watching her. She could feel her eyes burrowing into the top of her head. She slowly looked up.
"What are you doing here?" Taki asked in great disgust.
"His majesty has summoned me, my lady," she whispered lightly.
Taki's heart jolted. Why was her husband so very interested in this concubine? He'd never summoned one before in the light of day. Not unless there was some travel planned for the day. She turned her nose up at her girl and placed her hand on her swollen belly as if to taunt her. "Hmph. Try not to embarrass yourself again, child. He will find you even less attractive." Taki stormed off, head high.
Once Kaoru was alone again she sighed resting her head on the cool alabaster wall behind her. She did not like that woman. She wondered just how long she would have to put up with her attitude.
She pushed the hint of rebellion down. This was not the time or the place to become self righteous. That fighting spirit of hers would have to remain checked.
The doors swung open again and the servant boy beckoned her inside. She rose and smoothed her white and gold kimono before proceeding.
Enishi's eyes rested on her and he smiled in spite of his irritation. Taki was unhappy again and was trying stubbornly to have her way this morning. She thought herself persuasive. He found her obstinate. She was obviously unhappy with the presence of this young Kaoru. He could understand. Kaoru could stand up to any of the women in his harem as far as beauty. And then there was that little something about her...
Kaoru bowed, hands pressed in reverence. Enishi was looking at her like that again. It wasn't quite so unnerving as before with his rounded spectacles obstructing his gaze. She still felt as if he was stripping her bare.
When the door was once again closed and they were the only ones left in the ornate office, Enishi spoke. "So, Lady Kaoru, what extraordinary circumstances bring you into my service at your own behest?"
Kaoru sat in the chair he offered and folded her hands in her lap. He seemed not so... dangerous? "I must request your assistance, Enishi-san. My father is ill and I can no longer care for him any longer on my own. I hoped you might find a place for me but instead of compensating me personally you might allow your generosity to be extended to my family. I have debts to repay to many people who have helped me and my father requires medical attention..."
Enishi smiled and took off his glasses, setting them down pointedly. He looked up at her and said plainly, "Say no more, my lady. Whatever you wish will be done. Before the night is out your debts will be paid and your father will be tended to by my personal physician."
Kaoru's heart almost burst. She smiled at Enishi for the first time. Despite his initial lasciviousness, he was being kind and generous with her. She was so happy she wanted to leap from her chair and kiss him. But, for many obvious reasons she could not. Overwhelmed, she bowed deeply to him. "You have my eternal gratitude, majesty."
Enishi rose and walked around his desk to sit upon it in front of her. "Quite."
Kaoru's heart stopped for a moment. That slight lilt had returned to his voice. The very same one that he had in the garden. She was too afraid to look into his eyes.
Enishi tilted her chin upwards and was pleased to find the same strange mix of intrigue and terror in the young beauties eyes. He leaned toward her and whispered warmly onto her full trembling lips, "I will enjoy your servitude, my dear, as will you. I will take very good care of you... if you do not deny me my desires."
Kaoru shivered. "And what might those desires be, Enishi-san?"
Enishi chuckled deep in his chest. "It might be best I show you, my loveliest." Then he kissed her deeply. Kaoru felt the warm heat of desire flowing from him. He wrapped strong arms around her helpless body. She was forced to stand to compensate for their difference in height. Part of her screamed for an escape, but she knew that no one would be able to save her this time. There was no Kenshin around to rescue her. But she couldn't very well pull away from his majesty now. Especially since he'd just agreed to her pleas. She just had to stand there and let Enishi do as he pleased. She tried to concentrate on the thought of her father getting well. Then perhaps she wouldn't yield to these feelings Enishi was eliciting with his kiss.
She thought: would it be so bad to yield to him? He was generous, after all. Perhaps she could learn to love him and maybe then her time here would not be so traumatic. But something in her kept thinking of Kenshin; those warm lovely lavender eyes, that soft fiery red hair, that well toned chiseled war endured body he must have under those imperial robes...
She became aware by Enishi's pleasure wrought moan that her thoughts must have been translated. He thought the desire she was experiencing was in response to him and had no idea it was all for his most relied upon courtier. She felt terrible. The only way, it seemed, she would be able to make it through this eternal lifetime she'd found for herself was to stay away from the one man she could not help thinking of and think of him only when in the presence of a man she could not truly love as she must.
Enishi pulled away. Kaoru made him feel... he couldn't describe it. It had been a long time since anyone had made him feel this way. Not since his dear beloved sister Tomoe... The actions were different, but the emotion was surely the same. It rattled him. He had not loved anyone since Tomoe. Could it be possible?...
They stood there staring at one another for some time before Enishi cleared his throat. He'd not come this close to losing control since after hearing of Tomoe's death. It was a bit too much to take this early in the morning. "I hope everything is to your liking in the palace," he said turning from her, the seduction absent once again. He put on his glasses. "I've received from my accountants the final figures I've requested for your monthly salary and weekly allowance. On top of the assistance I am extending, you will receive the amounts outlined in these documents." He handed her a scroll embossed with the royal seal. "Please do not hesitate to ask Himura for anything you might desire. Until I need him for more legislative reasons, he is to tend only to you."
"Thank you, Enishi-san." Kaoru whispered.
"Do not worry about the Lady Taki. I will try to see that you two have as little contact as possible. In three days the royal court is going on a summer retreat to my estates in Osaka. If there is anything you require you may inform Himura or myself and I will see to it that you receive it as soon as possible."
"Thank you, Enishi-san." She took a final bow and quietly left the office. The door closed securely behind her she sighed silently. That was too intense. She looked down at the scroll in her hands. She was almost afraid to see it. Surely it was a larger sum than she'd ever earned teaching Kamiya Kasshin Budo. She walked onto the open balcony overlooking the sprawling imperial lawns and fountains. She sighed and carefully opened the scroll. She sat reading through the documents carefully. She nearly fainted to find the amount of her monthly salary was much more than she would make in a year if she taught a full class of students every single day. And her weekly allowance was just as exorbitant. When, where and how would she spend all of that?
Before she had time to contemplate further she read her list of obligations as the emperor's concubine. While most were obvious and embarrassing to think about, one line did catch her eye. If she bore any children for the emperor, they would become eligible for the throne in the face of any untimely event on Enishi's part. And thus, she would be promoted to the rank of imperial wife, thereby receiving a much larger salary and more privilege. Was that supposed to be some sort of incentive? Kaoru was slightly offended. No wonder Taki was so pompous. She had been the first to bear Enishi a son.
Kaoru secretly hoped she would not become pregnant for Enishi. She was already cemented here as it was. But the way things were presently, if they remained that way, perhaps she would find a way out some day. But if she had a child, especially a boy, she would have to stay here forever. Kaoru said a small prayer that she would not have Enishi's child. Perhaps it was a little wicked of her, and maybe she'd pay for her sins by never ever bearing a child for anyone if the chance befell her, but it was a price she was willing to pay. If she was ever going to bring another life into this world it wasn't going to be with a man she didn't love and hardly knew.
"I find a woman deep in thought to be one of the most attractive of sights."
Kaoru was startled out of her thoughts and looked up to find Kenshin standing in the arch of the balcony smiling at her. She smiled back warmly, inclining her head to him. "My lord is too kind."
Kenshin walked toward her and took the seat next to her that she offered. She really was quite lovely today. But then, how was that different from any other day?
"What, might I ask, has you looking so pensive this morning, Kaoru?"
She raised the scroll and smiled ruefully. "Just looking over my salary contract. There are certain bylaws, which are most... audacious."
Kenshin laughed. "That is quite a diplomatic way to put it. May I?"
Kaoru handed him the papers and tried to pretend she didn't feel the heat in his touch as their fingers brushed.
Kenshin pretended to clear his throat to begin reading over the documents. Kaoru saw him raise his eyebrows and asked, "Is something unusual?"
"I don't think I've ever seen an entrance salary this high before. The emperor must favor you," Kenshin said with a lilt of anxiety in his voice
"Well, that's great," Kaoru said brushing it off, not catching his tone. "I don't want favors. I'm just glad my father will be taken care of."
"Yes, that is good." Kenshin rolled the documents back up and handed them to her.
It was then that Kaoru noticed what he was wearing. It was a practice gi, albeit an imperial one. "Were you... exercising?" she asked.
Kenshin looked down and laughed. "Oh pardon my appearance. I was on my way to the practice yards to work on my technique."
Kaoru's body yearned for the strain of a good sword practice. It had been a while since she'd held a sword. For months before her arrival she was not permitted to use the sword so that the calluses on her hands could be treated and heal. It was not attractive for a woman to have bruises on her hands.
"What technique might that be?" She asked, the longing not hidden in her question.
"Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. A deadly technique passed down to me by my master, Soujiro Hiko." Kenshin say and heard the infatuation in her voice. "Do you... like the art of swordsmanship?"
Kaoru's mind felt numb at his words. He knew the lethal art of Hiten Mitsurugi? How lucky must she be to be in the presence of such a one? "I... my father... his is the style of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. I was his student... a long time ago."
"Yes..." Kenshin mused. "You have the grace of one who borne the weight of the sword." He thought a moment. "Perhaps you would like to come with me to the practice yards?" he trailed off.
Kaoru's eyes lit up. "Could I?" Kenshin nodded and stood, offering her a hand. She took it and let him lead her to the practice yards.
*****
Not too long after, Kaoru sat on one of the benches bordering the large practice yard Kenshin had chosen in which to work. It gave her a chance to observe his technique, she added secretly, his physique.
He started slowly, making a few passes to work out his balance before a group of servants entered the yard with a log as thick as a large tree trunk and stood as tall as Kenshin's chest. They set it to stand in front of him and backed away quickly. She watched him take a stance, eyes serious and focused. Then in a lighting movement he'd unsheathed the sword and it was on the other side of the log. Her eyes widened and a small gasp escaped her. All was still for a moment and then the log split across the middle and the severed piece fell to the ground.
Just as quickly Kenshin's sword was sheathed and he turned around and took off running so fast Kaoru couldn't determine where he had been until he was no longer there. He bounced off of the wall, his body turning in midair and a feral yell tore from his throat as he unsheathed his sword again and came down on the incapable log. Then he was on the ground, knees bent, sword sheathed once again. The log split vertically down the middle, each half falling to its respective side.
The servants applauded, feeling privileged to witness the great assassin's technique. They came to take away the logs and Kenshin stood and turned to her. Kaoru's expression was still that of shock.
She stood and walked over to him, offering a towel. "I've never seen anything like that in my life."
Kenshin smiled ruefully. "Usually it's the last thing seen by those who do. But at least here in the palace only the logs are subjected to my training. Besides, we can use it for firewood when it gets chilly." He smiled cheerfully, his expression the exact opposite of the one he wore moments ago.
Kaoru smiled back at him but wondered just what more this man could do if pushed. He must be a very deadly opponent indeed. No wonder he was Enishi's most trusted military leader. She couldn't help wondering though, if maybe that was also a part of what riffed between the two men. Or was it perhaps the cause of the reason.
*****
A/N: Hope you all enjoyed the chapter! I'm hoping it's not too soon to start having the characters act on situations without explaining too much anymore as to why they might do so. I hope I've developed them enough so that their actions explain themselves. Anyway I appreciate all of the reviews and feedback. Hopefully the story will be complete by the end of the year as my Christmas break is fast approaching (Yay!) Hopefully I won't have to spend it serving Peppermint Mochas at Starbucks so I can write :P Thank you all again and please get back to me soon. The next chapter is coming soon to a FF.Net near you!
Some Replies for my readers:
Catti said: great story, keep it up, don't worry too much about the thesis class it will be over with soon enough, I take my frappucino without whip cream. lolololol
Saku-Yume said: :P Thanks. Actually I used to take mine without whip too until I actually started to work there. Now I don't drink frappucinos..... something about making 3000 of them in an hour killed it for me. Lol
Lady Senie said: What a fascinating tale! I love the language of it. Your grasp of the characters' emotions and the depths that you've infused in each one is absolutely amazing. I don't usually read unfinished stories - too often they are abandoned in the middle of good plotlines or turn into horribly trite and predictable endings.
Your work has a vitality to it that is refreshing. Please continue to update. ^_^
Saku-Yume said: Wow! Thank you! I am extremely flattered by your review!! I promise not to let you down (
Orchidaceae said: this fic is getting very interesting :) you might have mentioned it before, but can you remind me again.. will this be a kaoru/kenshin or kaoru/enishi :) I myself would prefer kaoru/enishi :) not much out there that is written will :) well let me know :) please update soon :)
Saku-Yume said: Well... I suppose a bit of a hint won't hurt. It's mainly K/K (because, my God, who doesn't love them together?) but I promise bit more Kaoru and Enishi action. And To everyone: I keep getting a lot of worried Q's about who will "take Kaoru's flower". Of course I can't tell, that would ruin a deliciously lemon scented chapter. But don't worry, okay? I promise whatever happens will be done tastefully. (And hopefully I won't lose the fan base...)
AnimeBrat said: YAY! I LOVE IT! *slaps Taki* EVIL BITCH!
Saku-Yume said: Ha ha! Perfect reaction! That's exactly what I was going for!
Thanks again for the great reviews! And the funny Starbucks comments. I'm sure my boss would love to see them!
*Saku-Yume*
