Bakumastu's Best Romance Novel
Fhb
R- Drama/romance.
Chapter 13- Discoveries…awards…and old love affairs…
The next morning Kaoru woke to the sound of Raven crowing.
Kaoru yawned tiredly to herself… it was so early.
Placing on her robe, she opened her window to let raven in. It was still dark.
Kaoru saw that raven was still crowing. He didn't budge to stop. This must have been one of his warnings. Kaoru thought to herself, it must have been something serious for the bird to perk her up so early. Kaoru went to her door pulling the tanto out proceeding below. Opening the shoji to get outside, she followed raven and found what seem to be a cold and shivering body nestled in the distance. Running to the shuddering form, she saw it was no other than Sakura herself. Kaoru's body automatically tensed up. She didn't really know what to do, she just stood watching the somewhat broken-will body of the girl shivering. Kaoru's heart wailed. Kaoru swallowed the lump of guilt, had she done this to the poor girl? 'Have I placed you in burden?' Kaoru's thoughts were all confused and tangled in a tight knot.
"Sa-sakura-san?" Kaoru ran to the girl who was somewhat defeated from the cold. Taking off her robe she placed it around the shivering form. The girl just shuddered violently under the warmth of the robe, her face a pale blue and deformed in a shivering-state…
"Oh Sakura…" Kaoru whispered sadly, her blue eyes flickering so much hurt. Here she was a pacifist hurting people when her reason was to care and join humanity. But all she ever did cause was trouble and the infliction of pain.
"Kao-ru-chan? Is that you?" she trembled, her teeth chattering whilst her small voice had gone off into a shallow whisper.
"Yes…its me…" Kaoru bitterly added in sadness.
"I'm sorry…" she whispered to the blue eye girl. Kaoru felt like breaking down. What she had she done?
"It's okay. It was my fault, not yours. I better get you inside…" Kaoru sniffed. Helping the girl to her feet they both staggered to the dojo that the men trained in. Kaoru placed a few tatamis on the floor for the beaten-half-destroyed girl to lie upon. Kaoru soundlessly covered the girl leaving her to sleep alas…
Kaoru walked out the Ishin Shishi headquarters that morning. In her bare yukata. Exposed to all of the world…
"Raven…" she called medium tempo. Her voice traveling over the winds. Immediately the bird who was in the distance heard her call.
The bird immediately came out from the trees and landed on her shoulder…
"You were right my dear…I can dance"
The bird just blinked…
Kaoru walked into the vast streets of Kyoto with just a mere yukata clad around her. Her form faded from street to street until she lost her way into a somewhat forestry area, where lots of trees and flowers adorn the place. It was nature sleeping quietly under the velvet pearl-blue sky that was somewhat dark. Morning was coming but for the while darkness roam. Waiting for the sun to rise over the dark blue sky, she sat amongst some flowers. Then she waited coyly in the darkness with nature resounding so beautifully around her. Before her very eyes the sun rose, leaving exposure to many beautiful flowers being opened with beautiful colour orientation. They were in all shapes and sizes. Picking up a red flower which look a lot like Kenshin's hair, she looked around the field for a pink flower then she picked up a Sakura flower from the floor. Raising her head, hundreds of Sakura petals fell on her…
"Ouch.." Kaoru groaned…
"Ants…oh kami" she darted out the forest ferny floors. Making her way to the sound of gushing water. She found herself a beautiful stream. Dipping her feet in she smiled. Placing her both feet over the rocks she tried standing on them but only fell to her short-coming. They were mossy and slippery so she dare not try standing on it again. Assembling herself, she thought it was time to leave. Walking up back the same path, she past the ants and made her way down a sunny path to the Ishin shishi…
"Morning" she smiled at an old couple.
The woman gasped whilst trying to cover her husband's eyes. But the old man tried pushing her hand away.
Kaoru looked down at her clothes. It wasn't exactly the most appropriate thing to wear. Passing them, she just hopped back to the Ishin shishi, renewed and joyous. Entering the compound, she was met by her father, Katagi, Maebi and Kenshin whom all folded their arms…
'Uh-oh' "Morning?" was her only response…
"Missy, we've got some talking to do" Katsura aware his daughter…
"Okay daddy, when I return…" she began walking past him, but he held out her hand.
"Kaoru, I want to talk to you now" he sternly addressed…
"But I just…" "No buts young lady…"
Kaoru shot him an angry look. Snapping her hand out his grasp, she walked away. Not bothering to show any respect. Everyone was a bit shock, coming from the supple, gentle Kaoru it indeed moved them somewhat. Walking down the hall, she entered the dojo seeing Sakura sleeping perfectly sound. Walking to her, she placed the flowers by her head…
"I'm sorry" she whispered before she walked away
"Kaoru-chan…" Matsura called appearing out of the blooms.
"Nani?" Kaoru was somewhat startled when the old woman appear out of no where.
"Your father is calling you…" spoke the old woman…
"Tell him I am busy please…" she walked away…
Matsura sighed. Had the respectful, angelic pacifist become a shadow of herself? She was really giving off a heated attitude, a somewhat cold behavior. She didn't confine in anyone so that made the situation harder to dismantle, or primarily understand. She was suddenly an enigma no one could begin to reckon with.
Matsura sighed again. She'd have to speak with her… but in time.
Kaoru didn't show her face until lunchtime. She handed all the girls their kimonos. She handed them accessories with it and with that she disappeared into the back of the dojo, writing what seem to be words for her new song.
By twelve that afternoon everyone except a certain missy was ready. Ninsuko ran up the stairs after Katsura had become angered his daughter was no where to be found. The men of the Ishin shishi sighed. They were all handsome in their black gi's and hakamas. Katsura sighed again when another minute was wasted.
Ninsuko opened Kaoru's room, she was nowhere to be found. But what frightened her was the black bird in her room. It crowed at her.
"Get away stupid bird" she shoed it away…
Looking around the room, she had to admit it was in a real mess. But though that didn't scare her, what really got her freaked was the black linens and décor in the room. She looked at the picture of Kaoru with hundreds of crows. Stumbling back she hit the table. Not watching her step, she fell to the floor. By her feet, was a book.
'What's this doing here?' Opening the book, a few sketches came out. Ninsuko browsed through. It was disturbing. The pictures depicted Kaoru cut and hurting. Everyone single one depicted the same theme, hurt. Ninsuko let the sketches fall from her hand, 'what is happening to you Kaoru-chan?' she ran out the girl's room. Running to the base she huskily addressed "she's not upstairs Katsura-san"
Katsura knitted his brows…
"We have to find her" Katsura tiredly retorted.
"Anyone looking for me?" Kaoru came out in a plain kimono, still dirty with a bag in hand full of what seem to be clothes.
"Where have you been?" Katsura shouted out…
"Finishing my song father" she sweetly said…
"When we get there please don't loose yourself. Lets go everyone" Katsura hollered…
Everyone nodded. Leaving back no one they all began entering the pre-ordered carriages.
Kaoru ran into the carriage taking the end. Looking out the window she watched as the sun rose higher and higher into the sky only to disappear with uniform yellowness in the sky.
"Tell me… have you ever felt so alone?" she whispered sadly to the sky…
Ninsuko listened to what Kaoru had said… she was becoming scared for friend. So far Kaoru attributed scary words, pictures and her attitude it was beginning to bustle with new life and flavor. A flavor that replaced "their" Kaoru with a new one. Kaoru was really frightening everyone, but how could they tell her when she simply wouldn't listen anymore?
The group arrived after 3pm to their destination. The building was a huge red Japanese oriented establishment those which usually resembled Shinto shrines. But this building was usually used for officials-working-committees. A young man came out. His hair blonde and his eyes a sour blue-green.
"Konnichiwa" he was English everyone could tell.
Kaoru opened the door. "Eric?" she jumped out…
"Kaoru?" he ran to the girl hugging her. He lifted her up making her somewhat protest. Katsura gave a grim look. Opening his door he stood perfectly still with the other's joining his suit.
"These are my friends" she smiled to Eric.
"I see" he didn't even look at the Ishin shishi, his eyes remain melted on hers, drowned by how mature and completely elegant she became. She was so beautiful and sinfully gorgeous.
"A-hem" Katsura sort his throat. The boy blinked back looking at the group, his eyes scan over the heads but it manage to set sight with a red head who wore descriptive venomous amber eyes. Which really threatened him.
He swore the man said to him he'd kill him. Kaoru stood in front Eric breaking the eye-contact between the two.
"Minna-san, follow me" she spoke and everyone followed her…
"Okay Eric show me the way" he held unto her hand, escorting her inside.
Katsura and a few others narrowed their eyes on the boy. For one Katsura didn't trust anyone around his daughter. He wanted his daughter to just be a humble girl around him and the Ishin shishi. Friskiness was never something he wanted to accept but he came to reckon, Kaoru was always a stubborn child regardless if she was an innocent girl.
Leading the group within the establishment, Eric called out his friends…
"Hey boys…look whose here?" he cheekily spoke.
The boys who wore formal English shirts, trousers and jackets sat on a table talking amongst themselves. They turned to see Eric and then their little
"Kaoruuu" they jumped off the table running to the blue eyes girl.
They hugged the small girl. Some of them slapped her butt and Kaoru made a cry-baby-face and another hugged her to make her feel loved.
"A-hem…" Katsura sorted his throat again…
"That your old man?" he asked
"Uh-huh…"
"Well how about you get your people seated and then we'll take you to the back to meet all the guys…?" James asked, he was a somewhat dirty blonde boy.
"Okay…"
"Eric, um, is this where we're suppose to sit…?"
"Um…no…follow me"
He lead the Ishin shishi higher up. The entire building was filled with English chairs. Kaoru instructed to the Ishin shishi how to sit. Everyone sat down abiding Kaoru, Sakura sat right in front of Kenshin but that didn't bother Kaoru.
She explained to her father she'd have to practice behind set so she'd be back. Behind set she met all her friends. Kristal appeared.
"Kaoru Kogoro…what a pleasure surprise…not" the one hundred percent blonde girl spoke…
"And hello to you too Kristal" Kaoru smiled and passed the girl…
Eric pushed Kaoru pass the sickos and made her turn to a lone area.
"Hey its Kaoru" a black-blonde hair boy spoke…
"Anthony" Kaoru squealed
He hugged her…
"Oh my Kao. How are you hott stuff?" he touched her nose…
"Fine, and how are you?" she asked prettily her smile glowing.
"Terrific, did you notice we all have on earrings?" he asked…dangling his earring.
"No…why did you guys pierce your left ear?" she asked confused…
"Style" they all rubbed their chins…
"You guys are so vain…" she laughed out.
"Yeh, we are. Now come on Kaoru…"Eric pulled Kaoru's hand and lead her away…
"Well you guys enjoy your honey-moon." Anthony stuck out his tongue…
Katsura was becoming bored of the place until a young Japanese speaking English student went to the Ishin shishi.
"Um, are you all comfortable?" she asked in Japanese…
"Yes. But what time is the program starting?" he asked…
"Oh in the next few minutes…any refreshments?" she asked…
"Oh yes" many cheers came from the Ishin shishi.
"Please follow me…" she lead the girls and some of the boys to the refreshment stand. Their English pastries and customary tea and coffee was served.
Kenshin got up because he was bored. Katsura saw that the boy wasn't into all of this. No one was. Ninsuko and the Ishin shishi girls made friends with the European boys who flirted with them. Some of the Ishin shishi men flirted with the very few European girls.
Katsura sat with Katagi and Maebi on either side of him. Sakura got up and followed the direction of Kenshin. Katsura was amused at how teenagers reacted. One minute his Kaoru was very close to Kenshin, now they were nothing more. A group of European people entered, filling the complex. The literally filled three-quarter of the complex. The last remaining quarter was for the students and Universal pacifism board.
Katsura yawned. Before you knew it, it was dark and speeches were presented. In both Japanese and English…
"Good afternoon all" an English speaker said, "Konbawa Minna-san" a Japanese translated…
"Welcome to the Pacifism Association Meeting. It has been the first ever grouping of the pacifists. Lets give a round of applause for Dr. Sanchez Miguel, Mark Swindle, Christopher Rodriguez, Alex Sabura and our last member Han Takada. These are our morning stars that light the world to the right path. Please lets give them a large round of applause" translators spoke for both sides, and both sides applauded.
Kenshin and Sakura entered, a few eyes turning on the both. Kenshin sat in the boys lane and Sakura sat in the girls lane.
"We will have the National anthem of Japan, please may we all stand. Our young Kitana Takada, will sing for us"
(An:The National anthem of Japan was not released till 1888, but I need something to compensate. Hence in the Rk Ova the Nation flag of Japan is all wrong. The National flag came out in 1860. So you see how everything is fictional?)
Drums, Samishens and koto's played…
"Kimi ga yo wa"
"Chiyo ni yachiyo ni"
"Sazereisha no"
"Iwao to nari te"
"Koke no musu made"
She bowed. Everyone was instructed to sit. Then before everyone's eyes, plays from traditional Japanese to traditional British were portrayed across the stage.
"And finally we will have the awards for the young pacifist. In third place we give the award to Eric Minshon" with that Eric from the back of the building walked past his parents, the Ishin shishi and made his way for the third place award.
"Congratulations Eric" he received a bronze medal and trophy…
He smiled…and made his way to left.
"Our second prize goes to Anthony Markston"
Anthony walked up the isle and was presented with a silver medal and trophy…
"That's my baby" a blonde woman hooted.
Many English citizens laughed.
"And our first place award goes to Kristal Lucan"
Kristal a blonde girl made her up the isle where she was presented with a golden award. She bowed and everyone clapped.
Katsura tapped Kenshin's shoulder. "Kaoru is going to be so disappointed"
And Kenshin thought likewise.
"Ladies and gentlemen the three awards for most diligent students at Pacifism"
The Japanese sighed.
"But we have heard of all the phenomenal cases from all the students. And we've decided that one of the risks the pacifist's took, was using their life, and it shows that there is no award for this sorta act hence, first can not rank where this pacifist is. Giving our first ever bejeweled award for the hardest work, self-sacrifice, and true determination. We give the original first place to Kogoro Kaoru…"
The Japanese applauded. Yet…
There was no one coming up the isle.
"Is Kogoro Kaoru in the building?"
Then slowly, a girl in a white kimono with an inner kimono of burgundy walked up. Her hair tied a white scarf. Her kimono was somewhat off her shoulders which really made eyes turn (this is not respectful to Japanese ppl). She walked with tears in her eyes. Niroku shot up and began clapping and then the Shires and Tusans and then the Ishin shishi.
Kaoru prettily cried…
She took the white rose from Hotsuma giving him a brilliant smile…
"Go Kaoru-chan" the Shires and Tusan's beat their drums for her…
Her face lit up.
Making her way to the stage she collected the golden award where a real sapphire stone was encrusted within the award. She took the trophy, looked at it and then rose it up showing her Japanese friends what she had accomplished.
"And what do you have to say about this award?" the man asked her…
"I am honoured and truly happy. I loved Pacifism and I want to save this world…and having just accomplish so small a thing yet so big to me, I guess I can say I'm proud…" she bit her lips and everyone clapped.
She sat next to Eric.
The night had gone on with many speeches and stories from the Universal board. Some jokes were made but they weren't quite understandable to the English or the Japanese so the people pretentiously laughed whilst sweat-dropping.
Before everyone knew it, students began coming up one by one to sing their song. A song which basically could say or preach anything. It didn't confine within the lines of pacifism but what confines within the person most importantly. In an hours time an intermission intercepted and everyone began heading in for their meals. Kaoru made her way to her father. He stood just looking at her.
"I'm sorry daddy…for acting so mean"
"My little girl, daddy forgives you. He's so proud of you right now."
"It feels great daddy…I'm finally becoming mommy" she smiled…
"I know sweetheart…I know" he hugged her tightly…
"Congratulations Kaoru-chan" Ninsuko jumped on Kaoru. The both girls falling.
"Thanks Ninsuko-chan" she hugged the girl.
After a hearty meal, Kaoru began getting ready for her little song…
"And now, we have Kogoro Kaoru with Center of the sun"
Kotos played whilst drums lightly played. Violins and pianos worked with…
"Young girl in the market, easy to the men. When the men leave her eyes are red. When her eyes close again she sees the dark marching all day by, and she sings, they say the most horrible things, but I hear violins" Kaoru sang…
She wore a somewhat very red kimono that looked very pretty on her, though the clothing wasn't that indecent, it was, since it portrayed she was the girl in her song. Her eyes were done with thick kohl. Her lips were very dark red and her hair lose. In her hand was black gloves with a net scarf in her hands…
"When I close my eyes I am at the center of the sun, and I can not be hurt, by anything this wicked world has done…" she sang…
"Young boy in the market, follows all the men. When the men leave, he's out of his head, when his eyes are close again, he sees the dark marching all day by, and he sings they break the most beautiful things but I hear violins…"
"When I close my eyes I am at the center of the sun, and I can not be hurt, by anything this wicked world has done…a look into your eyes and I'm at the center of the sun…and I can not be hurt by anything this wicked world has done"
She walks to Kenshin, "young boy in the market sees the girl alone, and ask her have you lost your way home. She sings, you say the most beautiful things, just like my violins…a look into your eyes, I am at the center of sun and I can not be hurt, by anything this wicked has world done…when I close my eyes I am at the center of the sun, and I can not be hurt by anything this wicked world has done…" she sang…
"Coz I hear ---violins…"
"I hear vio--lins…I hear violins…"
"Center of the sun"
"I hear…violins…" she whispered in a sing… then she closed her eyes…
Everyone applauded. Kaoru opened her eyes, smiled and then made her bow.
As the night grew darker, promises and urges would as well. Forbidden once classed to never be remembered were thought and primarily had---HAD- to be done. Eric took Kaoru to the back of the complex…eyes following them.
They were in a grassy area. Fireflies flitting around her.
"Kaoru…" he leaned her against a tree…his voice raspy and claimed to the unthinkable. She looked at the colour of his eyes, they were extremely blue, intoxicating her.
"Eric?" came her innocent reply…full of fright. Their distance was very close.
Touching her lips with his finger tips felt so rude…but tonight was the only night he could say it to her.
"Return with me to England…" he leaned forward, their heads touching…
"What?" she questioned… 'eh?'
"I know I'm asking for something real big in you…but---I want you…I need you Kaoru" he allowed there noses to touch…
She swallowed hard seeing a lust that was not mistakable. She saw it once in Kenshin's eyes, she knew what it meant in Eric eyes.
"E-ric..please---s-top" she was frighten…
"Oh god Kaoru…I wanted you so badly…" he claimed…
'Eric---no…please…stop'
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An: First should flirtation go on? Two, what the heck is Eric doing? Well anyways here it is. I'm trying to update a lot since school resumes shortly. I love u guys and I hope I didn't make you peeps cuss too much for an update. Love u mado ppl! Lol!
Bye guys…
ROCK ON!!