Bakumastu's Best Romance Novel
Fhb
R- Drama/romance.
THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN SO IN TOUCH WITH THIS FIC, A PROMISE, I WILL UPDATE EVERY FRIDAY THIS FICTION. A PROMISE!!
Chapter 6----My job, my life, the aftermath?
"Be good now" her father hugged her…
"Kaoru-chan wait" Ayami shouted
"I'm sorry Ayami, I have to go--- good bye" her eyes full of tears…
"No---wait, your paper--" but she was too late…
'What have I done?' Ayami thought in dread…
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--
Hours later
"That is a lie" the opposing side bickered
"Well that's what my papers have" Kaoru saw what she highlighted…
"What do you know of us you silly girl?" asked the man
"Well I know one thing sir, and that's if you don't reconcile you're going to create war…"
"So be it" the man pounded on the table, "listen pacifist, I know your father and he's a good man, but you're not doing your job by gathering the wrong information. Good day" and with that he stormed out the conference room. It was times like this she wished her mother was here.
"But Kaoru-chan, even if we do bicker against the Tsun (one of the parties), I can't lie, they are not part of any gang. They well educate their people and are really honest, I'm afraid you may have made a mistake" the leader of the Shire spoke. The Shire's and Tsun's had hated each other ever since the Bakumastu became a present issue. Part was because some of their people conspired that rivalry was what the next wanted, hence they felt that crops and the necessities of life was being stolen from the other party. Kaoru's mission was to settle the debate. It was already her first day and she had already fail to see the situation through their eyes…
She began researching this time. If documents failed then she would resort to method two which could never fail, going to the people themselves.
"So how long have you known Mr. Tsun?" she asked one of the children in his base.
"Nine years…" the boy spoke
"Okay, do you think he would ever conspire to kill Mr. Shire or steal his crops?" asked Kaoru
"No way. Not because I'm a Tsun that means I'll only pick up for my side, I believe our leader will never do such a thing. He's honorable, caring and forgiving. He was once a priest you know, and it's said, Tsun is a samurai" the boy spoke
Kaoru scribbled down what the boy spoke, "urh, what's your name---I didn't seem to catch it" she spoke
"I'm Yagu" he smiled
"Oh, it's nice to meet you. I'm Kaoru, thanks again…" and with that she went around the bases looking for any loop holes. Coming to a well built man, who wasn't flimsy at all in stature, made her wonder whose side he took.
"Hello, um, which side of the base are you on?" she asked
"I'm on the Shire little miss" the man spoke, very big in size.
"Do you think Mr. Tsun conspired to kill Mr. Shire to steal his provisions?" she asked
"Like hell I do. He's been jealous of Shire ever since he came into town. Shire's an understanding man, easy to get through and persuade. (Kaoru wrote down what he said and circled it). He's not like that sore loser Tsun who wouldn't help a poor guy out. He's a fake I tell yuh, a fake. He's trying to kill us all, but he won't get very far…" the big man spoke
"Why is that?" she asked
"Because he just won't---" the man laughed
"Um what's your name?" she asked
"I prefer to be left anonymous…" the man spoke
"Okay---well I'm Kaoru, thank you for your time" and with that she got back to her room and began pinpointing exactly where the error was.
Many of the Shire villagers supported their leaders. They didn't speak anything bad about their opposing side which confused her greatly. But in between she would find outcasts, ---and the odd few who wouldn't even pick up for their leaders, or completely ill speak their rivals. She thought for a couple minutes…
'Hey Kao' she couldn't concentrate now…
Kenshin's voice was singing in her head. It was so easy to surface him but so hard to push away his memories…
She could never forget how he made her feel last night. He had buried his face in her neck and nuzzled even deeper. A deep blush danced across her pristine features. She sighed dreamily to herself. He breathed on her neck, a memory which made her completely accept him. He also gave her a top with some pretty colours to keep, Kaoru was convinced she was in love. In love, she leaned against her bed and looked at the ceiling…she just couldn't stop thinking of his eyes…how they studied her, how he made her feel. How he threw her in the sea, how he scared her, how he placed a fish in her face, how he bit her index finger, how she spun around in circles with him, how she ran around in circles in a flowers field with him, how she hugged him. How she bathed with him, how Ninsuko mocked them both…she could never forget him. She was madly in love with him and wanted more than to tell him and kiss him…
(knock)
Kaoru jumped, "c-come in" she sat up…
A young man in a black gi and hakama entered, he was very tall and well built. He carried a blade to the side of him and humbly waited for her to accept of decline him in…
"Please sit" she offered.
"Thank you" his voice was deep…
"Your welcome, so what would you like to see me about Mr.??" she inquired
"No---just call me Hotsuma." he spoke his eyes a very very light shade of grey. She had never seen such light eyes. His hair was very brown and she was convinced he was not Japanese.
"Are you Japanese?" she asked
"I am, just partly" he spoke
"Oh---I see" she whispered
"Miss Kaoru, did you see a pattern in your research?" he asked
"Well actually I did. I'm not sure how both parties could support each other and then hate each other simultaneously. It's almost as if this is a scam…a setup, but it's a small group of some sort whose doing it----I dunno" she sighed and covered her face…
"Miss Kaoru, I believe you are correct, for I think I have found the culprit to this debate" he spoke
"What? How? Who?" she asked
"Neither of the groups would ever conspire to kill each other right?" he asked
"Yes" she started
"Well that's just it, if they never would, how are their necessities being stolen? There must be an inside source in both parties. Somebody bad must be on the Shire side, mine you they'll have to know the Shire very well" he spoke
"Yes, they would. This sorta behavior has been the same for the Tsun. I don't understand who would want to put down the Shire and Tsun's, they were so friendly…" she spoke
"Miss Kaoru, do I have your word---" he paused,
"For?" she asked
He looked into her eyes deviously , "to do you this" and with that he placed a cloth over her mouth and made her inhale the sharp scent in the cloth… with that she went limp. 'forgive me'
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--
Kenshin sat quietly listening to Katsura address all the Ishinshin men, yet his thoughts had trailed off to the feelings inside. 'Kenshin Himura' she had screamed when he placed the fish in her face. A smile was brought across his features and he drifted to and fro from the conference. He remembered what he had done the following night. He had nuzzled into her. While they both sat and allowed the moonlight to caress them. Kenshin never felt so good in his life…
But he suddenly felt a bad vibe. Something was happening to her. He didn't know what he shared with her, but he did, a bond of some sort. She was frighten and calling his name…
"Kenshin is everything?" Katsura asked seeing the young boy's cheek bleed…
Kenshin seem startled, but nothing shocked him more when he saw the sporadic droplets of blood on the floor.
He wiped his cheek and looked at the blood. Something was wrong and he could feel it…
Kenshin soon received permission to leave…
Exiting he found Ninsuko close by, "Himura-san, ohhh, your cheek, it's bleeding" she covered her mouth and respected him more mainly because Kaoru wasn't around.
Before he knew it, a large group of girls surrounded him. Yet he missed her face---the face in group he longed to see most. He walked away from the young girls and made a way to the back room. Placing a cloth into the small bucket he dip and wiped his wound. He didn't know what it was, but he could bet his last cent it was some sorta bond he was sharing with Kaoru. Maybe it was because his ki was so accustomed to her. Whatever she must be going through, must have been the worst, else his cheek wouldn't have bled the way it did. Before Kenshin knew it the water had turned a powerful shade of red.
Fearing that something horrible happened, he pressed down on his cheek adding pressure for the wound to close.
'Please Kami, protect her'
--
--
That night
"I can't believe this" Kaoru started
"Believe what?" asked Hotsuma who spoke to her knowing fully well she was tied to the tree, going nowhere.
"I can't believe you're part of this. Why?" she asked angrily
"Lord Jempiah promised me certain things if I would learn to weaken the Shire's and Tsun's. It so happened, we're getting there very slowly…" he spoke
"And what will this prove?" she asked
"It will prove that we---the outsiders, can break down the over joyous tribes to make one powerful army of our own" he spoke
"Why would you want to do that?" Kaoru asked
"Lord Jempiah wants a very powerful army, by killing off the leaders you have a unidirectional group of people who are as good as dead. With their help we can form an army of great magnitude. In so doing, we shall march with our Japanese flags and parade for the entire of Japan to see, that Battousai will DIE" Hostuma spoke
"Over my dead body" she spoke rather deadly
"Defensive aren't we?" he touched her face in some circles
"Don't touch me" she snapped
"Haahha! Isn't it funny to see Katsura's very smart little daughter figure the entire thing in one day, but in that, she is captured herself.?" asked Hotsuma
"If it amuses you, all the better a man like you who is dabbed in insanity can at least laugh" she deepened her voice
"Humph--" he huffed
"Why won't you join us little girl, we could use a pretty and not to mention smart girl like you in our tribe?" spoke a man in the shadows. He came to their display and Kaoru gasped. She knew that man, he was the same big man she interviewed. She knew something was fishie about him, one he was too robust to take orders and two he was plain mean.
"Never-. I will never succumb to this insanity and stupidity" she spoke matter of flatly
"Say what you want but this is life and Lord Jempiah promises us that we, his followers shall be remembered in the history books for making an army of huge magnitude which shall annihilate the demon of all demons, Battousai…" the robust man spoke
"Yes, you will be remembered. For the wrath and blood you shed over all the innocents. Can't you see what you're doing is going to affect all. Can't you see innocent people are going to die? Must blood and violence always be the analogy to settle any debate?" she shouted
"Listen little girl, ever since the beginning of time blood and violence have worked hand in hand to make some very stupid ass people listen and in some cases get out the picture. Blood will always be shed and no pacifist and no peace can stop that. Evil was something which was made inside, but could not be destroyed. It is like energy, the original founder of it is unknown, and so will evil. As long as evil has no inheritor, it will always reign, and in so doing allowing blood and violence it's two sisters to ride the same chariot. I just don't understand why you stupid pacifist won't understand that. Even you pacifist instigate your nonsense, and help in the uprising of violence by allowing ninja's to do your dirty work. Don't make yourself sound so innocent child, coz you know what. There's no such damn thing as an innocent" the man shouted
"That's a lie. I won't believe it. Evil has a founder, we the people create it and we are the only ones who can destroy it. I learned it the hard way so don't dare say there is no innocent for even a murderer has innocence…" she trailed off thinking of Kenshin
"Listen to the gibberish you speak, don't you hear the crap you say? Pacifism is no where in this regime and trust me little girl you'll see that when you see blood shed. You will see that with peace which is suppose to be the light in the darkness, can not save a man when he allows his wrath to surface. Try stopping the Shinsen and Ishinshin when they fight by your pacifism. The only thing that pacifism will do you in that situation is put you into a quick grave…" the man reckoned
"At least I died trying while some never tried at all.------ Remembered you said----but remembered in a negative way? I'm so ashamed at all of you, here you are destroying two tribes who loved one another and you're doing it just for some title---a bad title if I may add" she spat
"And the riches which come with it" he hinted his brows
"Ahh--so this is about money too? I knew your remembrance nonsense was too good to be true. I also did know that what men like you love more than blood and violence, is money…which is finer than any sake this country could manifest" she spoke…
"Humph! I wish you the best kid, no use arguing with a stubborn pacifist" the man retorted
"True, because you know you'll lose" she whispered
Hotsuma laughed. "Yes Hotsuma, laugh, I just wonder what would your child say when you tell him daddy was part of the war---or what would your mother say when you walk to her home with a sword enveloped in blood" she spoke
"Why don't you shut your mouth" he gave her a solid lash in the ribs…
"You can not run from this life, reality will eventually constrict your heart one day and when it does, realization is going to impact you harder than a katana down your heart---" she spoke
He felt his anger rise, "I shall prevail" he lashed her repeatedly across the ribs. She screamed in pain and Hotsuma was held back from the bigger man.
"Hey kid, you'll kill her" and with that she slid down the tree in blood. Her body was lightly twitching and Hotsuma watched on in horror…
"The eyes (she groans) of truth (she bits her lip until it bleeds) are always watching" she whispered…
"Always" and with that she was conked out…
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An: The eyes of truth are always watching- is a quote thingee of the techno group Enigma.
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I traded fame for love/ without a second thought/ it all became a silly game/ some things can not be bought/ got exactly what I asked for/ Wanted it so badly/ Running, rushing back for more/ I suffered fools/ so gladly/ and now I find/ I've changed my mind/ the face of you/ my substitute for love/ my substitute for love/ should I wait for you/ my substitute for love…
Madonna- Drowned world/Substitute for love….
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--
Hotsuma looked at the bloodied woman…
'Was she right?' 'The eyes of truth are always watching?'
'No she was wrong, she's just a stupid girl' spoke his conscience
But still, why is their a residue of guilt that her words were sharper of any truth his ears heard?
She was right, soon this plan would be unraveled. No use hiding it. He held his hair and pulled on it, he didn't want his child to know him as a monster---he wanted to be remembered for good things. He wanted his mother to smile upon him…at least once
He drew a deep sigh---what to do?
How much more sin would he walk with? How much can a man have?
Meanwhile…
"What time do we leave with this cargo?" asked Ekki (robust man: Kao's description)
"At sun rise" the man spoke
"What about the pacifist?" Ekki asked
"Our lord wants the girl---bring her" the coach spoke
"Very well" and with that he went to the small shed they had temporarily kept Kaoru in. But----she was gone???
'Huh?' and with that he turned to the side and saw Hotsuma lifting a huge piece of wood, and with that Ekki was rewarded with one solid lash in the face…
"Sorry old friend" and with that he carried Kaoru to the village.
There he was converged to conversation:
"Hotsuma, what happened to Kaoru?" asked Shire seeing the bleeding woman
"I---I-- "It was my fault" Kaoru groaned slightly awoken
Hotsuma gasped, she lied for him…but he was way to guilty to accept another tale from her.
"Shire, I must tell you something" Hotsuma started
"What is it?" the man asked
"There is a small subnet of workers who are depriving the Shire's and Tsun's from inside. Tsun never conspired to kill you or take your necessities" Hotsuma spoke
"How do you know this?" Shire asked
"Because--- I-I am part of the group" Hotsuma bowed his head
"But why would you do it---after everything our people gave you?" Shire asked
"I'm sorry, I only realized my blunder until now, I----" he was shut off when a sword was pierced through his shoulder…
He stumbled over Kaoru making her fully awake…though in pain she was up and very aware of the situation. She was feeling herself very weak, maybe from the lack of blood she thought. She saw a tad bit blurred but she could not allow blood to be shed. The sun rose in East making a huge ball of fire light the land… 'morning'
Hotsuma got up and pulled out the sword from his shoulder. Kaoru crawled to the wall seeing the bleeding man and couldn't help but feel worse.
"Ekki---this must stop" Hotsuma spoke to the sword's owner
"You betrayed us Hotsuma---you shall be punished for that" and with that Ekki drove in with his sword…
Their swords clashed and clenched teeth of anger soared.
They pushed back and circled the next.
"Why Hotsuma…why?" asked Ekki
"We can't live like this Ekki…it's wrong, all so wrong"
"You're a woss. You can never be a warrior if you're acting like a little girl. Be a man…" their swords met again. They met occasionally to the blade and with time drawn, Ekki pushed back Hotsuma making his weapon drop. Hotsuma stood so perfectly still, frightened and shock that Ekki would soon end his life, but Hotsuma would die, for he was a sinner, not worth of this world, he grew by the sword, then by honor, die by a sword.
"DIE HOTSUMAAAAAAA" he ran into Hotsuma and that's when it happened.
"NOOOO" Kaoru screamed and with that she launched herself between Ekki's sword and Hotsuma's body. The sword went right through… she looked in shock at the man and then back at the sword which had gone through her stomach…
Ekki withdrew his sword and pushed her aside…
She fell to the floor feeling the earth's true hardness. Her face was now bloodied in her own blood, she could hear her heart beating in her ears and all she saw was grey. She saw them both fighting and wondered, was Ekki right, if she was to save bigger tropes, would pacifism save them---or put her to a quick grave? Her blood seeped some more but she would defy. No--she could hear her breath echoing and her fingers becoming numb. In the distance she saw what would make her live again…
'Come on Kaoru---come to me' Kenshin called, 'Live for me---if you don't--I can not be the just man I was but the hitokiri no one can cure… come back to me' she heard him. Walking from the drunk passion of love, she would defy all and live for him. Her life…
"YOU WILL DIE FOR HURTING HER EKKI" Hotsuma sword was to pierce Ekki's throat whom laid fallen and bloodied yet he awaited the boy's wrath-blow…
"AGHHH" Hotsuma rose the sword and began lunging forth to the man's throat.
"STOPPP" Kaoru screamed… Hotsuma stopped but he didn't look at her. "Remember what I told you (she groans) you would never want to be something you aren't, even if it's just for a little while (she groans some more) remember, when your child looks into your eyes, he may not see the demon in you, but your mother may, and so will your wife. And in time, will your child know you were a coward in the wrath of own dismay" she whispered and with that Hotsuma withdrew from the man…
'I ---I am sorry beloved Kenshin, I am so sorry---I can't go on' and with that she fell to the floor, her blood splashing against her…
"Nooo" Hotsuma ran to the young woman, where sleep wanted to claim for the final time…
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Dear Katsura,
How long has it been my friend since I last spoke to you? I have good news and very, bad news. The good news is your daughter resolved the debate, she certainly is your child alright. But the bad news is, she hangs on a very thin-tread to life. It so happens, she wanted to die for pacifism. I will honor her courage and her strength… she has been cleaned up and is ready for departure…
Always,
Tsun
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--
Katsura crumbled the letter with angry tears in his eyes…
"Izuika, Meabi, and Matsura, I am leaving Kyoto for a few days" he spoke getting into one of his carriages
"Where are you going?" asked the young girls…
"It's Kaoru----she's been hurt very bad, she -----may not make it (he speaks in a small voice)…tell Kenshin what has happened when he has return from the kill" and with that the man left…
"Kaoru-chan" the girls whispered in worry…
Matsura covered her mouth feeling the pain so heart-striking. The girls consoled her, but some of them couldn't. Ninsuko sat on the floor crying that her friend was injured…
Ayami consoled her, but a few tears cascaded it's way down her face. The girls held one another crying that their friend was hanging on a thin thread…
'What will Kenshin do?'
After two hours the Ishinshin men had returned from the kill, that would mean Kenshin was back…
Ninsuko felt it was her duty to tell Kenshin since Kaoru had trusted her with most of her personal information.
She walked in tears to him. Each time she walked her eyes would become blurrier…
"Ninsuko?" he looked at her curiously…
"Himura-san…I have something to tell you" she whispered her voice raged from her sharp crying…
"What is it?" he asked, feeling it dealt a lot with Kaoru…
"It's Kaoru-chan" she paused, Kenshin gripped her shoulders hard and forced her to look at him, "what happened?" his voice was mixed with a coldness and angriness…
"She---she—(Ninsuko is breaking down) she may not make it" she cried…
Kenshin let her go, his whole heart feeling heavy and weighted. The one thing he adored the most and was his at the tip of his tongue, was slowly being taken away from him…
He walked away and went to the courtyard, feeling his whole world spinning and taunting his vision. He felt the burden----it was as blue as her eyes and he hated the fact that he would have to live with her death if anything…
He placed the bucket of water he drew from the well over his body. He couldn't feel again, he became numb. He placed his hands on the well looking into the well wishing he wouldn't have to hear anything ever again…
Matsura sadden when she saw Kenshin look into the well. If he lost Kaoru, what would become of him?
He would feel more aching whispers…
'Why kami-sama?' Matsura wondered
--
--
She looked so weak, so pale…so dead…
"What happened?" Katsura shouted, his eyes full of tears. "ANSWER ME" he shouted…
"It was my fault" a young boy came out…his voice silver to the rage in the air.
"What did you do to my daughter YOU BASTARD?" Katsura shouted his eyes full of raw hate…
"She tried to save us all, and she did. When I was going to be attacked, she jumped in front, protecting me with her body as a shield… that's not all, she stopped me from killing a man who I had knew a long time. I am so sorry sir---if there was" but Katsura cut him off
"You bastard---you made her sheath herself for you? I was informed she was beaten, by whom?" Katsura asked
"I'm afraid that's my doing again sir, I had beaten her with my katana when she seem to show me other ways to deal with my internal struggles…" and with that Katsura allowed his fists to find the boy's cheek.
Inside Kaoru could hear her father, 'is Kenshin there papa?' how she wanted to hear his voice…
She kept seeing him in her dreams, he was running----and smiling. Happy---truly happy. Inside Kaoru smiled. He was calling her---but then she never did go, and ultimately the once blue skies and green grass that adore him, was suddenly disintegrated when she saw him stand in front of a burning village, his clothing black and grey the colour of the sky. His sword was dripping a black liquid and everything was grey and being burnt. Screams were more hollow and she wished she wouldn't have to live to see this part of him, 'no' she whispered, 'Kaoru' was the last thing he called before he bowed on the floor on one knee and performed seppaku (samurai death). The sword went through his stomach and she screamed sending her world crumbling…
Katsura watched his daughter when lone tears began falling down her face…
"I will take it from here…" and with that Katsura lifted his daughter and carried her away…
"Katsura-sama, wait" Hotsuma called
"What?" the man placed his daughter in the carriage…
"When your daughter awakes" he was cut in by Katsura, "and what makes you think she will awake?" asked the angry man
"She told me so…" he whispered…
"What do you want me to tell my daughter?" Katsura asked
"---I want you to tell her--------that I love her" and with that Katsura felt his body run cold…
With that, Katsura got into the carriage and ordered it to leave…
Holding the desire of a foolish-blind lover, he could not seem to keep it within. Voices sang and screamed at their highest pitch to tell her---tell her his soul's face. His soul sang serenades of bittersweet apologies and love encased lines only to her.
"I LOVE YOU KAORUUUUUU" Hotsuma ran after the carriage and fell on his knees when he could see it no more…
Kaoru heard voices---so many voices…voices of soul, voices of fear. She heard Kenshin's voice, her father's voice, and now this new voice…reckoning between life and death, she called for the voice… 'hello?' she called…
'Ah---Kaoru Kogoro, here you are---I've read a lot about you from the fates. You've done a lot of good things, ------------but all good people must die…' the voice spoke
'I --- I don't wanna die…' Kaoru spoke
And then there was a bright light which she slowly began walking to. She could see the supreme beings wings which was highlighted in the bright light which pulled her in. She could not see the being's face but she could see the glow…
'Why not, dying is honor to some, why not to you? Aren't you the same one who said you would die trying to be a pacifist?' asked the voice
'Yes…but I will not leave my lover…ever' she whispered
'And who is your lover?' the voice asked
'The most wonderful man alive---Kenshin Himura' she smiled not realizing she was coming closer to the light…
'A demon? Hahah---how amusing---' the voice spoke
'He is no demon, he is my Kokoro, Kaoru no Kokoro and I will argue with any force who wishes to tell me anything bad of him…I love him and will very well die in his place if ---if, I was there for him' she whispered lightly…
'I see. Any last words before you enter the afterlife, heaven to be precise?' the voice asked
'Yes' Kaoru spoke deeply not affected she was submitted to god's home.
'What are they?' the angel asked
'If providence loves me, he will know, that my heart can never be healed if he leaves me to die and come into an enchanted world where I shall feel my empathy rise in full toss. I don't want to be an angel who shall cry silver in the rain for my beloved. Don't try to fix a woman whose not down her mission. My mission was to preach pacifism and if I don't cure him, I will never know if he was part of it or the disease. If you take me, I will never truly be an angel when my heart is already taken and swept away from a man who gave me a peace--which is far greater than my pacifism. Before you know it, I won't sleep, and I may even defy the supremacy factor of living as an angel---because I may die…and by then I will want to' she spoke…
The angel covered it's face and the light was out…
'You have one more road to cross, and then, you are ours' the angel warned and with that Kaoru gasped for air.
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An: Well then I promised this update to Sakura-butterfly for persistence in the updating of this chapter. Thanks to all those who reviewed chapter 6. I 100 appreciate it. Thanks for reading all if you did/didn't like it. Take care and god bless
Please review…