BAKUMATSU'S BEST ROMANCE NOVEL Chapter 3: The ties, stories and some tears…, a rurouni kenshin fanfic

Bakumastu's Best Romance Novel

~Fhb~

R- Drama/romance.

Chapter 3---The ties, stories and some tears…

~~~~

For days he hadn't returned and the young woman which was left without father or friend, grew darker and more isolated.

"Your hair is so beautiful Kaoru-chan" spoke her new friend, Ninsuko as she brushed the European's girl long hair. The thick silky raven sea, was so maintained, and the girls of the Ishin loved to comb Kaoru's hair when they had free time.

"Thank you" she whispered sadly looking out into the distance. Her blue eyes were scratched with red, and sags had formed under her eyes as she stubbornly kept watch for two days and three nights…

She certainly was Katsura's daughter----and it was very clear to Matsura. The woman who became in charge after Kaoru. But Kaoru was getting ill, without even knowing it, and the old woman sadden when she saw such a girl withering...

"Kaoru-chan, come on dear, come help me make some rice balls" the woman insisted, seeing Kaoru dumbfounded and drifting off into her world she created.

"Hai Matsura-san" she nodded and with that she tied her hair, and apologized to her friends.

"It's okay Kaoru-chan, we'll help you" they spoke and with that all the girls went to the kitchen.

These days Kaoru dressed like the girls of Ishin girls, so it was kinna hard for Matsura to determine which was her clerk or Kaoru, but sad blue and painful ki was not hard, even for a woman who spent all her life cooking for warriors.

Kaoru threw in the rice, not caring what she was doing and with what type of mind.

"Smells good Kaoru-chan" her friend commended

"Thank you Ninsuko-chan" she weakly smiled to the older girl and continued on.

She prepared some soup and then some tempura.

Matsura tasted the rice and had to admit the girl couldn't cook.

"Kaoru, dearest, have you ever cooked?" asked Matsura

"No, my maids in England do all the cooking, besides, I'm a pacifist--I don't have time to cook" she spoke

"What do you have time for my dear?" asked Mastura cocking her head to the side

"Making people agree, and smile. And hold hands under rainbows. Making people happy…" her eyes widen in innocence

"I thought so---you're different" she paused while adding some spices to the soup. "And I like that, most of my life I've been accustomed with girls who've been design to take manners. Do you believe I know each and every girl whose ever worked for me? And do know they each have time for themselves, but you Kaoru. You're amazing, you don't care what other people think, which is good, and you do it. You're an alive one here, full of childish energy, now don't get me wrong, you're a wonderful girl, it's just, the Ishinshin's environment is not accustomed to such people like yourself. You're energy and carefree simplicity. And I guess, that's what makes a lot of people your friend…huh?" she asked Kaoru who looked a bit sad, "now you keep that chin up, I need to have a strong worker, and how about I teach you how to make my favorite dish, hmm--it'll be our little secret, sounds good?" she asked, arching a brow. Kaoru couldn't hide the smile, "yes---it's sounds great" she gave off a big smile and Matsura laughed…

"You're definitely Jasmine in imprint, oh I remembered your mother's face and her first time she cooked with me---it was almost like yesterday. *Sighs*" spoke Matsura as she threw away Kaoru's partial edible food.

"You knew her pretty well didn't you?" asked Kaoru innocently

"Knew her---I owned her---hahaah" she paused to laugh and Kaoru was suddenly confused. "Jasmine----that girl, she was different, I guess it was because she's all European and believe everything has a short-cut" she carried on…

"What do you mean by that?" asked Kaoru seeing Matsura pour new water into the pot.

"Well, your mother wasn't an easy woman, but your father was. She was an agile one. She believed everything had be done quickly, and because of her philosophy, she discovered a shortcut to everything she did. Including Katsura's wooing to her--yet, I'm not even sure if she was conscious of it. Anyway, Katsura was a shy boy, even when the Ishinshin was manifested the man was shy. But eventually, it was nature, and your mother who gave him a solid shaking. It was a night like any other and as usual the Ishinshin boys and servant girls would go into the dojo and play truth and dare (don't sue me for such bogus ideas--got none--back to the story). The girls decided to wake Katsura up, mine you this was the evil side of your mother" she laughed and poured in the rice

"What did she do---?" asked Kaoru leaning onto the counter with both hands under her chin as she listened to the story of her mom. Soon all the Ishinshin girls were listening.

"Well---she had liked him, and everyone troubled her about it, but she didn't want to be taunted. So she asked some of the Ishinshin boys to pretend harm her---they did it alright, and then Katsura was left to save the damsel in distress. Instead of the night ending with some sweet confessions, it ended with Katsura and Jasmine quarreling, he said something about 'I find you do good work and I know you can do better, but everything you do is short-cut---and that's why I find it so hard to tell you that you can do better and I like you'---now your mother shouted back in anger, completely unaware of what he said, 'well I don't find it hard to tell you, you're hott and I like you---' your father blinked back, and Jasmine had realized what she said. Before the night was done, your father made Jasmine his bride, and it's said they made classic love…*she winks* but you're too young to know what they did--so when you get a lil older, come back to me, I'll get back to you on that one" she spoke and the rice was suddenly done…

"Wooooow" she whispered, "my parents were joke crazy---heheheh, I like how mom called dad hott, I must remind her of that when I go back to England…hahah--I'm so evil" she snickered to herself.

"Haahah, and that's how we make rice" spoke Matsura…

"Yes, and it seems great" smiled Kaoru

"Uh-huh" she smiled

~~~

The Ishinshin entered the gates around half past 12 that afternoon. It was already broad daylight and no one was within the premises. Nobody greeted them and it gave the Ishinshin men a cold shudder. Katsura had been injured badly on both shoulders, but fortunately he was able to walked---well limp.

"Kenshin, my daughter" Katsura spoke and with that Kenshin let go of the man shoulder and went to look for Kaoru. He ran up the stairs in two's and stopped at the top when he saw no one. He opened her door but she was no where to be found, walking down the steps he saw Matsura walking to the kitchen.

"Ah--Matsura-san" he called to her, she stopped and looked up at her one an only.

"My boy, you're back--oh you're in for it from Kaoru-chan" spoke Matsura frowning when she imagined Kaoru whacking Kenshin.

"Did she get hurt---is she alright---is she here?" he asked so many questions

"She's fine, she's fine--. She's in the kitchen eating with the girls, we're telling our girl stories and that means no boys allowed" she stuck out her tongue and walked back to the kitchen

Kenshin smirked and immediately went to help Katsura.

"She's fine" he spoke intoned

"Where is she?" he asked in pain

"She's with the girls--in the kitchen" he spoke

"Once she's safe and in the right crowd I'm okay" he spoke and with that he was lead to his room. Kenshin sort to hold converse with Kaoru, the only person he'd been thinking of for the past three days. But he couldn't---she was with the Ishinshin girls, how rude would it look to take her from them? Not to mention embarrassing, be it resolved, he went to his room to clean the wound he had clumsily obtained. A funny thing for the best hitokiri in all of Japan to obtain, but the person whom attacked him, was certainly not Shinsen and using Gatatsu. It was a different ryu, but as all Bujustu [Japanese martial arts] is used in some way to propel on one another, it seemed clear, this was not Japanese, and nor did he like this strange someone who made his ribs blue and welted.

Limping up the stairs---he went to his room and began loosing his gi…

"Oh damn" he cursed when he saw how blue-black his ribs were. It was painful and very ugly to look at.

~~~

"And one time, there was this man who came up to me and asked, hello miss, are you and that young man married? I looked at the man---I mean was the man serious, me and Kenshin?" asked Ninsuko and everyone laughed except Kaoru. For some strange reason she felt an inner hurt, what was it in that statement that made her sour greatly. She feared the worst and shook her head. Seeing Matsura enter she smiled.

"Oye Matsura-san, had enough, should I make you use the bathroom again?" asked Kaoru, and all the girls laughed remembering what Kaoru did.

"Maa maa, let me live until sixty my dear, I'm too young--not to mention beautiful to die" Matsura fixed her locks and all the girls laughed…

"What? I'm beautiful you know" and the girls laughed harder,

"Yes you are Matsura. And you tell the world" Kaoru encouraged…

"At least somebody's on my side" Matsura stuck her tongue out at the girls who giggled.

Though it was much fun to be like old times, Matsura could not keep the news from Kaoru.

"Um Kaoru--I have news for you" she whispered…

"Oh, what is it?" she asked curiously

"It's Kenshin" she started

"Kenshin---oh my god, what happened to him?" she immediately stood in shock and looked worried. A hand was tied to her heart and Matsura wished she hadn't gotten the girl so worked up.

"There, there Kaoru-chan. Everything's okay, all I wanted to tell you, is that your father and Kenshin are back" she spoke and with that Kaoru bowed and darted out the door.

"Aww---lost another one to those rotten men" whispered Ninsuko and the girls laughed.

Kaoru firstly entered her father's room. When she saw him she dropped to her knees and her eyes swelled up in tears.

"Father---oh gosh, what happened?" she ran to his side and cried.

"My little girl, daddy wasn't very lucky against the Shinsen--it seems daddy got himself some bobos'" he spoke

*Sniff* "Are you okay, is there anything I can get you?" she asked worriedly

"No my darling, but you can do me a favor" he spoke softly

"What is it, anything father, tell me" she spoke willingly

"Go to Kenshin, I believe he suffered some injuries, some he wishes not to tell me about" Katsura whispered and with that she took off.

Kaoru ran up the stairs and quietly walked down the hall. Coming to the last door, she opened it and saw Kenshin close his gi quickly. Right now modestly was the last thing Kaoru wanted to maintain, and in sadness and anger did she go to him and began.

"Where have you been, three days---two nights mister?" she asked angrily

"I am Ishinshin, I have work" he spoke devoid

"Didn't you think that I would be worried you moron?" she asked, calling him something mean for the first time. He arched a brow and looked out his window.

"Himura Kenshin look at me?" she shouted but he did not comply, "I said to look at me" she ordered tears in her eyes. He slowly turned to her and drew a deep sigh.

"I heard you got hurt---open your gi" she ordered in a whisper

"It's just a scratch" he lied…bigtime

"Open it" she ordered, her voice a little harder

"Kaoru--really" he was shut off to her voice, "I said to open it NOW" she shouted the ending. Anger in her eyes.

He opened the gi, "happy?" he exclaimed annoyed.

She choked a sob when she saw his chest…

"Oh my god" she blinked back her tears.

Rushing to him, she touched his swollen and welted ribs, which got him arching and grimacing in pain.

"You are such a baka-yarou" she whispered and began dabbing his welts with some wet cloths. Kenshin bared the pain but looked curiously at the woman who cared and attended to his every move.

"I'll be back Kenshin, I have to get some stuff" and with that she left him and returned hurriedly.

"This might hurt Kenshin" she whispered and he immediately stopped her.

"What is that?" he asked her

"It's alcohol, it's used in the western world for healing, using it for your wound should cure it" she whispered and with that she dabbed the liquid across his wound. He arched into her a bit, but she didn't seem to mine. After the alcohol treatment, she banded his ribs with some fresh linen. Around and around she went lightly hitting his chest with her face when she went around in circles. Tying a knot she hid it into the binds and pat it gently.

"All done" she whispered sadly and looked up at him.

He nodded and looked at her, "how did you get this?" she asked sadly,

"Fighting" he spoke intoned

"Didn't you care?" she asked

"Why should I?" he looked outside seeing the birds fly from tree to tree

"What sort of attitude is that to living Kenshin?" she asked, her eyes watering

"A good one. If you were in my shoes and wearing the burden and predicament I do, then you would know---but since you didn't give second thought to that then I'd advise you to lay off" he was being mean and stubborn

"Didn't you care how I'd feel?" she whispered

He sighed hard and didn't answer.

"Look at me Himura Kenshin" she called again. He twisted his mouth and folded his hands

"I said to look at me--" she whispered with tears trickling down her face

"Look at me Hitokiri Battousai--I order you" she spoke firmly…

For the first time had he heard her call him this and it shocked him a great deal. It sounded rather odd coming from her mouth. Not a very nice combination either.

He turned to her, and looked at her glassy eyes and tear-tracked face. He hurt a bit, but stood his ground.

"…I--I … missed you" she whispered, and weakly smiled, with that she didn't to care and went forth and embraced him. Hugging her for what seem the first time in three days felt great. Gently pushing her back his sturdy thumb wiped her tears…

Slowly he was hugging her and burying his face in her neck, he breathed in her scent and allowed it too, to relax his taunted body. Oh god---how she smelt great. He loved the feeling. This was a medicine and he found it to be a great remedy…

The door flew opened to Izuika and Matsura, who was joined along by some of the girls. Seeing the two so intimate and with Kenshin's gi open and all, it made Izuika blink one of his eyes at Kenshin who shook his head in it's-nothing-you-idiot.

The door was closed and Kaoru still didn't let Kenshin go…

"Kaoru--um" Kenshin began blushing when she didn't let go but he did…

"Uh-hmm" she sighed into him

--Seeing her peaceful and happy face he sighed, "nothing" and with that he hugged her back enjoying the embrace while it lasted…

----

Under this raven sky where angels shine there most glittery glow and cast there bedazzling shames to all, the earth enveloped that truth was white and pristine as an angel…

But how can they know, when they are all so tainted?

It's been a while since she been happy…a wicked smile against her features. Closing her eyes for two minutes she remembered how much she had learned and treasured in the past two days. Feeling an inner pride she whispered uncannily her new friend, her new champion-- "Kenshin" she blushed, but then began laughing.

His name tasted so masculine against her lips. He was a firm and strong warrior, full of a shaded side, one she was determined to know. She believed this was the part of him that long for life, but wasn't sure how to live when he was saturated in a bath of blood. She looked out into the night wondering how could she preserve that part of the man she was so clueless about. ---

Obsessed with peace and the colour amber, she sat down when she felt vertigo claiming her. How can you save a warrior you know so little about? Further more the Battousai. So many conclusions could be derived yet they never seem to be good enough. She frowned when she saw no ending to this question---.

"Hey" someone called

*She screams*

"Hey, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you scared…" spoke the male voice…

"Who are you?" asked Kaoru, wondering deeply

"I'm Iziuka, one of Katsura's most trusted men." he spoke, "can I?" he asked for permission to sit and she nodded.

"Sure, please" she smiled.

"You're a really kind girl---for someone who's Katsura's kid" he whispered, while rubbing his hands against each other and blowing a breath into them to keep them warm.

"Am I? I know my father to be a great man, excellent leader, and of course kind man---he's always made sure the Ishinshin was his prime motivation." she whispered and looked into the east.

"Your dad isn't always an easy man Kaoru. Sometimes he can be just as stubborn as any child--and that's where your determination came from. I guess everything relates in some small way." he added…

"I guess…" and with that she readjusted her position

"Something's on your mind, isn't there?" he asked seeing her eyes full of deep thoughts…

"Yes…how do you save a man you don't know about?" she asked sadly

"You mean Kenshin?" he asked curiously

She nodded and listened on. "Oh--haaha, Himura was a different one. The minute Katsura saw Himura slice that wooden stump, Katsura believed he had found the jackpot of the Ishinshin, and the idea for Meiji became a reality as time continued on. But… Kenshin grows darker…and darker. We fear we will lose him to his coldness. His character is above all, and yet, he's so isolated. The boy needs some good women in his life, a god perhaps. But he doesn't believe in trivialities. The boy even amazes me sometimes, but I know this is what he have become. I know his wounds cries for deliverance, he wonders if he'll be denied, so he allows the energy in him to die, and we fear that we shall lose our Ishinshin boy, to the monster which grows rapidly within his heart. Insanity is almost like a vine around a heart, it constricts the very breath you breathe until finally, you can not even choke in it's tight grasp. Soon, if help is not given to him, that shall be befallen upon him." he whispered into the cold wind

"No---I won't believe it" she paused, a few tears of anger falling down her face, "I believe he will never be that monster, he is not that monster…I will save him---do you hear me, I will save him. He will never have to succumb to blood as answer, for he will always have a heart to think for him. And if his heart has gone ice, and if it's constricted by the vines of evil which consummates right, then I will be the sword to cut him lose and free him from the labyrinth of hate which meddles in thick sediment in his heart. I will be the one---I will free the child from the demon…I will be the one" she shouted and left Iziuka to be…

Iziuka was in shock, 'foolish little girl---believe what you want. He is not some child as you are, he is a man-- a man like any of us---and he has learned the true value of the sword, the true value of life in each slash he has swiped…' with that he left.

Kaoru leaned against the post crying… 'I will save you' she blinked allowing peace to claim her---if there was such thing…

'What would you do momma? How would you save a man you can never know?' she saw the pieces broken in her path. Dumbfounded by her own realization, she saw the ending of pacifism racing to her.

"What are doing here?" asked a voice, again she screamed.

"Don't do me that" she held her heart…

"Somebody's a lil jumpy" spoke he and with that the warrior she had tried to fix---was suddenly not broken. She studied him, wondering how he maintained his sanity…

"That's bad manners you know" he whispered when he cross-eyed and saw her staring at him.

A red blush danced it's way across her features and she quickly apologized. "You still didn't tell me what you were doing out here, all alone?" he spoke wondering and waiting…

"Thinking of some stuff---" she sounded a tad bit sad

"Like?" he asked

"You----pacifism, home---mom---this nation" she whispered…

"Is it so soon you want to go home?" he asked, a slight mock in his voice

"No---I don't wanna go, I wanna stay here---be with you--(blushing) and daddy" she retorted,

"Why are you here? Why did they send you?" asked Kenshin confused…

"England is no better from Japan Kenshin. It is full of corruption and killing. Because of an excessive amount of bounty-killing, my mother had sent me to daddy to be protected by the Ishinshin, knowing they were men. Currently I am the 5th most targeted girl in England. I fear to lose my life in this country---but if it does happen, I just want you to take your broken wings and fly---fly away. That would make my death the best thing ever…" she weakly smiled

"Do you hear yourself? It's almost as if you're planning to die? Are you? I don't like how you speak sometimes Kaoru, it's like salt on a fresh wound, the combination is odd and stinking. Do me one favor Kaoru" he begged…

"What's that?" she asked

"Don't speak of death---don't die…and if you are to die-------(minutes passed) die… with, me" he looked into her eyes…

"Kenshin" she whispered his name and hugged him. 'why are you speaking like this?'

"Will… you?" he asked quietly while holding her

"I never wanted to die alone, so---yes" she tightened her embrace but he groaned. She backed off when she remembered his ribs were not in the most fitting condition.

"Okay mister, it's time to change those bandages" she got up and waited for him…

"Aww, you're no fun Kaoru, you need to relax and have fun, like me" he spoke making her shudder when he looked at her. She had once said that to him, and now the bugger was using reverse psychology on her. Pulling him by the hand he followed on.

Matsura saw Kenshin being pulled up the stairs by Kaoru, 'Kaoru-chan definitely does not joke around when she's with Kenshin. And hahaha---it's funny to see Kenshin as the awesome Hitokiri Battosuai succumbed to one tiny female' and with that she went to bed.

---

"Can you be a little more gentle?" he asked as she dabbed the alcohol on his wound.

She rolled her eyes and continued on. But he took firm hold of her hand and demonstrated how he'd like to be dabbed. In a slow and carefree rhythm.

Catching on to his drift, she cleaned his wound.

"All done" and with that she began adding a new ointment. Rubbing it gently over his ribs, he watched her devoid-like. His eyes were just fixed on her.

"Staring isn't good you know" she teased…copying yours truly

He smirked.

With that she tied a knot and hide it in the binds. Patting his ribs gently she smiled.

"You looked stressed Kenshin, want a massage?" she asked but before he could answer she already had him sitting on his futon. She pushed her fingers to and fro in his shoulders in a steady movement, which he seemed to enjoy…but couldn't fully with his gi blocking the proper massage.

He took off his gi and she began massaging him which made him fluttered his eyes in relaxation. He looked at the floor and enjoyed the feeling which enrapt his body. While Kaoru massaged him, she realized that his body was marked with many battle scars. Her eyes welled up with tears when she saw how deep some had been. She stopped and leaned into his back just crying.

"Oh Kenshin" she placed her hands around his waist and cried. "All your battle scars---" she cried…

"Don't cry Kaoru. These things happened for a reason." he spoke devoid.

"You must stop killing Kenshin" she whispered so inaudible that he thought that he never caught the sentence.

"How?---I am the manslayer to all---" he whispered

"Not everybody Kenshin, not to me" she spoke in a hush-hush tone.

"What do you see in me Kaoru?" he asked

"A wonderful young man---a hero and a champion" she wiped her tears…

He never answered…

*Door opens*

Kaoru moved away from Kenshin when she saw it was her father.

"Kenshin---can I speak to you in private?" asked Katsura…

"Daddy--are you feeling alright?" asked Kaoru

"Yes I am--" he spoke and with that Kaoru walked out the room giving her father and Kenshin some privacy…

"Yes" started Kenshin

"I would like you to do me a favor, but I'm not sure how well you'll carry out your task" he turned his back to the young man…

"What is it?" he asked

"I want you to teach my daughter some self-defense" spoke Katsura…

"You want me to teach her how to fight? Why?" he asked intoned, yet a tinge of anger in his voice.

"She's a targeted girl Kenshin, with she knowing some defense, it can ensure us some safety that she knows how to defend herself. So from tomorrow, if you're strong enough you two will begin, is that alright?" he asked

Kenshin nodded.

"Well good night Kenshin, get some shut eye and don't stay whole night speaking with Kaoru" Katsura yawned and with that he left. Kaoru entered in a pink garment.

"What is that?" he asked

"It's a night gown" she spoke happily

"Take it off" he paused seeing her shock, "it's too see-through" he whispered

"Oh---I thought you meant to take it off because you were a pervert. But I should have known you weren't that. Okay mister, time for bed. Lie down---" she ordered and he rolled his eyes and lied back.

"Now--do you want me to read you a bed time story?" she asked innocently

"No--go to sleep" he spoke

"I will, in a couple of minutes--I have to make sure you're sleeping" she spoke and placed the sheet up to his chest.

With that she said her good night and left.

"See you in the morning Kenshin"

He looked at her and out she was.

Kenshin watched the moon slither in the sky raven's mantle. It's silver blue mass glowed with it's neon milk beaming out. Another day was ended in a wonderful thought thanks to her---.

~~~

An: Does anybody know how much I like this story? I think I like it more than any of my stories. It's very hard to maintain the fact that Battousai and Kaoru can't touch. That's a sufferable line, but I'm working on some stuff to make brows jump in sear evil. Well tell me what you think and any comments and ideas are welcomed. Thank you for reading if you did/didn't like it.