Bakumastu's Best Romance Novel…
--Fhb
Chapter 16---The secret unfolds…
"Katsura…Katsura-san…" called a boy in the distance. The man heard a call yet he did not budge to stand on his tiresome feet of foolish thought. Katsura, a man respected by all lived an internal battle that was buried beyond the folds of his thumping heart. The world as was seen from his eyes, was black and he contributed to its never ending cycle . The suffering, oppression, suppressions and killings, were all his choice he ushered on the innocents of Japan.
The world was not something Katsura could say he knew any longer…for within him a voice said that the world had become much more different and the mindlessness was all something he stabbed into the Earth. Katsura had so much ideas for a bright tomorrow, yet the Meiji would be a task of its own. It called for serious back-bone, serious choice. His daughter, a young aspiring pacifist asked him so many questions of the man he was. Never was there an answer to give her, but certain to be known, Katsura was not a bad guy, just misunderstood even in the eyes of growing innocence. Had it not been for his most trusted soldier, Kenshin, he'd take the mental beating of her words and succumb to thick shame. The boy whom was known for killing hundreds with just a mere flick of his katana gained a fame even from the winds, yet, he became a weapon and the Ishinshishi's prize. Yet Katsura did not see, that beneath the surface of an excellent swordsman who lent services, was a child. A child who was bleeding to be free, a child who was sad so profoundly it was almost a whisper in the wind.
"Katsura-san…" the door flew open. Katsura sat knee folded on the tatami in his silent room.
"Hmm" he looked up at the heaving boy…
"Katsura-san…our base…" he started with a raspy voice… "it has been found…"
Not in million years with all the bad things that had happened did Katsura want to hear such news. His prized group of elite swordsmen would finally become detached and his Chosu-clan would have to be there supposedly next base. Yet Katsura was thinking clean. If he abandoned the Ishinshishi base, it could be for catastrophic reason, yet if he did not, he'd endanger his men in many folds. Katsura stood up, looking defiantly at the boy…
"Then let them come…"
Was all he could say…
"Katsura-san?" the boy could not understand such a queer reply…
"The Ishinshishi will stand and rise from the serpent"
The boy stupidly nodded with shock on his face. Katsura walked to him placing a hand on his shoulder, then he walked away.
'Days seem much longer without you Jasmine…'
…….
Kaoru lied against the sand looking at the sky…
"I see…hmm…let's see…um, I see a frog whose going into a kingdom…of---trees…yeh…weird, but that's what I'm seeing" she giggled,
Kenshin smirked, "kingdom…trees? Wow…some imagination…"
"Oh shut up, it's not like you haven't said anything weird…" she poked him…
Kenshin soured, "it was just once…"
"You still said it…" she paused seeing him so cute. The over exaggerate pout of the lips made a winning smile surface from Kaoru.
"Awww…its your turn –baby" she pinched his cheek knowing he hated it when she did that.
He growled a bit before he rubbed his soar pulsing cheek.
"Your turn…"
He huffed still feeling the pinching fire in his skin. "Well…let me see…I see…" he paused seeing a grey sky approaching…
"I see rain coming…"
"Really?" she looked up, "aww man" she groaned. Finally when she thought they could go outdoors and enjoy the warm breeze, rain had to return like a cloak of depression. Kaoru sadden. She had planned so much for them today. Kenshin touched her face but a frown gently composed its way to her lovely features.
Kaoru felt as he pulled her from the ground to his warm arms. She slowly averted her pristine blues from his neck to his enchanting amber eyes. With each slow flutter of her eyes, Kenshin learned something new, something he didn't know the day before but was assured the answer was correct especially when the woman who embraced him to life fluttered a truth he felt bounded to.
The shape of her heart was not fixated. By no means was it given a shape, especially when she seem to show a radiated love for everyone, that sorta heart is different in shape from everyone else's. It stands out like a beacon in the darkness, like a dandelion in a field of thorns, like a katana in blood…
"Sometimes…I know we are meant Kenshin. Yet I considered so many things, with you as a slayer and I as a pacifist, we have breached consequences that thrill me…over and over again" she whispered not sure where all this was coming from, "and though my love for you will not fade like yesterday for today, I will show you I am not all about…what you see…for behind me…is a secret…" she paused, "and I hope you can forgive me for it soon to come" she held onto him just allowing him to wrap his hands around her. The wind blew on them sending them adrift with nothing but a grey sky sailing above their heads and into the far amidst.
Kenshin didn't understand Kaoru sometimes. One minute she could be so easy to understand, then other times, she was so complex, like an enigmatic puzzle which gave him so much to think and try to figure. Yet he'd analyze on and off what she'd said and find a little story that patched her to a woman of depth.
"Kaoru…" he called…
'Even in the confusion…I do not understand it…why Kaoru…are you saying a story to me, that says you're hurting? Every time you try to tell me something I read a fear in the lines of your words…please tell me where you hurt?'
Never knowing these answers lead some relationships…broken.
And others bounded in the glory of true eternal love…
'But was I, Battousai, meant to have that life after every single drop of blood that has fell and soiled in the Earth in dampness?' he did not know…and he wished the mental fact of knowing would not kill him…
…….
"Katsura… endangering the Ishinshishi is not the act of a leader" spoke Meabi strongly. His brute form building the stature of his words.
"Exactly! You're asking us to jeopardize the Ishinshishi, isn't that right?" Katagi whispered fiercely at the quiet man.
"Are you listening to anything we're saying?" asked Meabi harshly, "goddamn it answer us" Meabi pounded on the table
Katsura who listened tentatively opened his eyes after a long time, "this is my elite group of men. The Bakumastu is a trail of life and death, and these soldiers very well know that behind a great idea for a morn of peace, is a not so certain future of life, they very well know…that behind the blade they walk with, death follows them…and shall it be there course to live or die…they will not stop being the men of tomorrow, the men of the Ishinshishi…" Katsura trailed off…
The two men took into consideration Katsura's words… "very nice speech Katsura…but speeches don't account for foolishness of the death of your very loyal men" Katagi stood and walked out sharply. Never had Katsura made choices to jeopardize his men lives…and most importantly, his only child.
"What has happened to you Katsura, it is like the chapters have all turned on you" Maebi stood from the table looking at the leader weirdly, "we look up to you for the choices you make, but if the choices you make are to kill us, then we, your men, can not keep following you when you lead us astray…" Meabi walked away from Katsura leaving the leader in a world only shadow could accompany him in.
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Kaoru and Kenshin slowly were coming back to the Ishinshishi when they saw a crowd in the distance…
"I'll lash you, you bloody bastard…"
"Lash me and I cut your throat…" the next man spat…
Kaoru and Kenshin approached the group where two swordsmen fought for what seem over hostility reasons. Kaoru asked the woman beside her why they were fighting.
"They're fighting because that young man who's a thief stole the vendors food…I personally think the vendor should kill the boy…"
Kaoru watched as the vendor, a tall huge man beat the boy over and over. Blood was shed and it made Kaoru internally crumble. Blood made many crawl, but blood made Kaoru drawn to protect people. Ironic indeed.
She unconsciously began pushing through the crowd as more blood was shed. Some even got flickered on her face. A hand pulled at her and behind her she could see Kenshin trying his best to pull her back, but she would not reckon with this when she was drawn to save humanity even if it meant those who stole for a life. Kaoru snapped her hand from his walking out to the arena.
"Stop it you barbaric beast" she pushed the huge man to the floor, a lot of flushed anger on her face. Running to the young boy, she held onto him checking him for his vital signs. Ripping her kimono she began wiping his face from all the blood. The man stood growling as a little female pushed him over so unexpectedly. The man stood ready to beat the living-crap out the young woman…
Closer he come unveiling a tanto of large proportion. Before he could stab his blade down on the innocent Kaoru, a blade poked him on the back, the man turned around only to be greeted by evil amber eyes.
"Why don't you pick on somebody your own size…" the assassin coldly whispered…
Kaoru turned around hearing the voice of her beloved. She turned to see him under a grey sky of weeping angels. He kissed his blade looking deviously cold at the man.
"Kenshin…no" she begged…
"Ahh…so your little woman is who you fend…come boy, fight me if you dare…"
"Too much talk…less bite"
"Aghh!! You foolish boy"
"Kenshin nooo" she screamed seeing Kenshin going forward with speed meant to be seen…with a clean slash, Kenshin reappeared behind the man, sheathing his blade, the man fell.
"Y-you killed him?" she asked scared-like…
"Iie…lets just say he got a blow never to forget…" he stooped to her.
"Stupid little girl and boy. That boy there is a thief" the crowd started to react…
Kaoru stood, "but is that any reason to kill him of his life. Things we so selfishly have, can't we at least open our eyes and see that sharing could lead him off the strengths and into a composed person as yourselves? It is because of each one of you that he is like this…" she warned…
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Kaoru walked home with blood on her clothes…her face somewhat a bit bloodied and her body cold. Behind her was Kenshin, he was at least two feet from her. Watching as she battled the feelings inside her. The little boy they had manage to save from the fight had died from loss of blood and Kaoru was seriously affected as a result. She didn't even want to hold Kenshin's hand…she just wanted to run and scream.
"Kaoru…"
She walked faster with tears falling down her face…
"Kaoru"
'How much more blood kami?'
"Kaoru…I'm calling you" he ran to her holding her in place…
"Let me go please" she cried her face stressed and wet in tears…
Turning her around to him, he saw the face that was aching to save humanity. "Why are you doing me this?" he asked her…
She sharply inhaled backing up her tears, "what –am I doing?"
"What am I doing this time wrong?" she screamed and cried simultaneously…
Kenshin blinked back, holding her she just wish he hadn't held onto her. She didn't hug him all she could do was cry…
Trying to pull out his hug, she saw he wouldn't let her go. Crying at the situation and what she was doing to him, she just cried, hugging him. Her heart hurting in both directions all she could do was fall into his embrace…
"When the world offers us shadow and ash, rise from it…" he whispered…
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Kaoru and Kenshin got home late that afternoon. Blood was everywhere on her, yet standing and waiting for them was Katsura. He noticed his daughter immediately with her fluctuating ki. Then he saw her face and her clothes. A single tear fell down her face when her father caught eye contact. Katsura thought the worst. 'Where's Kenshin?'
Behind Kaoru, was a form that approached. Golden eyes as those of the sun shone in the late afternoon's dull hue of grey. Regardless if the sky was dark, his eyes still lived on a glowing gold.
"Kaoru…hime-chan, what has happened…" Katsura was shocked to see them both this way…
"Pacifism…failed" she whispered sharply before walking away…
Kaoru went to take a bath whilst Kenshin reported to Katsura what had happened…
"So she's angry at herself because this young boy is dead?" asked Katsura…
"Hai…"
"Oh Kaoru---why does she always blame herself?! This poor child…" Katsura paused… "she will get over it…not right now it seems…" he paused again.
The both just simply sat, taking in a silence that was usually customary without Kaoru. "I need to speak to you in private" Katsura assessed. Kenshin nodded. Both men entered Katsura's supposedly-office sitting subserviently on the awaiting tatamis.
"Today Kenshin, the Ishinshishi has been discovered by the Shinsen…"
Kenshin looked at Katsura interested, "tell me…"
"We found out that the Shinsen has been keeping an eye on our spy-ninjas. In so doing when no one had the least idea that our ninja's professional as they were, accidentally left a trail for the Shinsen, and the wolf to sniff. Our ninjas as we know have been followed back to our base and in so doing the Shinsen has discovered our hideout. With so much to be aware of, we can't take such chances. But I am. I made an agreement with the Chozu-clan in far out Kyoto to make room for us in months time. Then I'll be getting everyone to the Chozu base and the Ishinshishi---- we burn it to ashes. As a significant factor, telling the Shinsen we live here no more."
"Katsura" Kenshin was shock…
"I know Kenshin. You are perhaps asking what has happened to me, where I will go from doing such an act?! Even I myself do not know." He paused, "there are so many affairs and technicalities that fallen the Ishinshishi at the moment, hence the Chozu clan—would it ever be able to sustain the kind of blows the Ishinshishi has? Too much has happened and yet I have not reacted accordingly" he sighed lengthily.
"What about Kaoru…?" the question was simple…and anew.
Katsura heavily sighed, the Sakuras from the trees flew off, parading in the wind most beautifully. "My daughter" he grinned, "she looks up to you a great deal. I know I can't break her away from you, because I'll be hurting her. But if it becomes too serious…I will have to send her to Korea just so temporarily from the war."
"I see…" Kenshin stood.
"Kenshin."
"Hai"
"Do me a favour"
Kenshin listened, waiting out to Katsura…
"Please…my daughter means everything to me, and I know most definitely that if she loses someone she can battle herself to the lowest. But please, I ask as an Ishinshishi to an Ishinshishi, keep her safe and don't leave her side when she needs you most…" it was practically an implore that needed to be instilled in Kenshin.
Kenshin could only nod.
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Kaoru yawned watching the sky above her head. It was early morning and all the world was silent. The cold wind blew on her shivering her skin just a bit, but what made her gasp was the way how she saw a little girl playing on the Ishinshishi courtyard grounds. Kaoru arched a brow, the child was perhaps four and lost for that matter. Kaoru looked over her shoulder to see what was happening to Kenshin, surprisingly he was sleeping. She weakly smiled, he was her everything and yet, he thought he was nothing. She frowned at the thought. Walking pass him, she made her way to the bottom of the steps. Opening the door to get outside, she saw a little girl looking at her. Eyes intent and a shadow on those glistening greens.
"Come…"
Kaoru quirked a brow, 'who are you?'
"I was wondering" she paused looking deviously at Kaoru, "when you would come" and before Kaoru's very eyes, the girl began spinning around in circles.
"Who are you? Why are you here, are you lost?" Kaoru asked curiously, watching as the child took no heed in her but kept at her spinning.
"Why do you hide it?" asked the small girl…
"What are you talking about?" Kaoru's brows furrowed in query and confusion.
"The dance…the dance you hide from everyone…" she paused, stopping and looking evilly at Kaoru, "the dance you learned as a game…but became much more than a dance ne?" the girl grinned watching as Kaoru gasped…
"How do you know of that dance little girl?" Kaoru asked sternly not at all affected at how she conducted herself around the small child.
"Me? I know everything! Everything from your wicked thoughts to your most scandalous dreams. In a way you'd have to say, I put them there. I made you what you are. A child of the forbidden dance" she laughed sardonically, her laughs not owned by a child but by a sinister male.
"Doesn't it intrigue you pacifist that you nothing more than a snake like me?" the child transforming to a tall handsome man with immaculate features.
"Who are you, what do you want of me?" Kaoru stepped back confused and uncertain.
"Want you say? I want you to dance for me…the forbidden dance of Sins…" he came to her.
Yet as poor Kaoru tried to step back, by some crazy magic she only came closer to him, "what crazy game is this?"
"The game of cat and mouse, where you my love, are the mouse" he held onto her, his voice degrees cold.
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"Nooo" Kaoru whispered shooting up in a quick jerk. 'It was a dream…' yet when she scrutinized she was still outside, she became scared at the thought that everything that happened was real. Very real. 'Who knows of this, but me and the other four girls?' she didn't know, a fear shivering down her spine and holding the hairs on her skin on edge. Smoothening her arm, she wished that she hadn't found what she did next, raising her kimono sleeve, she groaned in shock by her amazing discovery, there revealed to her eyes, was the mark of her male intruder. Of her unknown seeker who knew of the secret not meant to be known.
'And so…my secret…it becomes as free on wings like a bird'
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An: Guess whose back, fhb's back, back again! So my lovely peeps, what's been
the latest? I hope all of y'll are well, my exams are over! Yepii!! I am so
happy its finally done. I am also back to my updating-spree! This month is
gonna be updates and I hope I could finish a next fic this month. Just finished
my second fic, 'Vampire-Bloodline' and I made the picture today. I'll be
running it on my site eventually. So you all must be wondering, what the hell
is this 'secret' that Kaoru hides, well I wish could tell you guys but I can't,
why, because then it wouldn't be a surprise! Please keep in mind that what is
happening to Kaoru is the beginning of a new page in her life. So to say ours
too. Well I hope you guys liked it. Much love beautiful people, I'm out!!
One love, one peace, god bless and take care!!
ROCK ON!! m/