MY LITTLE PRINCESS
A/N: Chapter 2 is here! Special thanks toRekka's Angel, Omochi and Fuuko-san for being the first ones to read and review it. Yeah, I remember some wrong grammars in the story. One example is: Everyone were crying. It should be everyone was crying instead! Oh well! Thanks for checking! Neweis, It's a pretty hot and boring Saturday right now, with nothing to do! Heck! So, to keep me out from boredom, I decided to write the second chapter for the story. So, here it is!
Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is NOT mine.
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Chapter 2. Promises
Kenshin was practicing with his shinai at the backyard. at 15, he almost mastered both the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu and the Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu, taking lessons from Hiko Seijorou and Mr. Kamiya.
Himura Kenshin was orphaned at the age of 3. Both his mother and father died in a car accident. From that day on, he was taken in by his Uncle, Hiko Seijorou a swordsman and a bank manager.
It was another of those fine summer afternoons. It was neither too cold or too hot and the breeze blew lavishly over his body and hair as if it was dancing with him. His purple eyes were concentrated on an imaginary opponent hitting him with his wooden sword with all might and refinement. But then he heard a child's muffled voice coming from behind.
"Ken-nii! Ken-nii!"
He stopped and looked back. There he saw, Kaoru in a pink yukata, almost limp and somewhat in pain and fear. . .And what's this? Crying? He was taken aback. He quickly dropped his sword and rushed to her side taking the small child in his arms.
"Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin asked rubbing the little girl's back.
Kaoru didn't answer and continued to cry covering her face with her hands.
"What's wrong Kaoru-dono? Is there something wrong?" Kenshin asked again, deep care evident in his voice.
Kaoru sniffed twice looking at the ground. Her lips twitched. As she looked up at him, Kenshin was astonished with the little girl's "unexplainable" mix of emotions. Tears streaked down from her guiltless blue eyes.
Kenshin saw her sore ankle and thought that she was crying because she had hurt herself.
"What happened to your foot? Does it hurt?" Kenshin asked.
Kaoru didn't answer but continued to stay quiet. Scants of seconds later, she started to say something.
"Pa-pa. . ." Kaoru said meekly clenching her fist fighting back the pain in her young heart and the sprain in her ankle.
Papa? Kenshin wondered while his forehead was crumpled.
"Why? What happened to Kamiya-sensei?" Kenshin asked alarmed. He knew that Mr. Kamiya had a terrible disease. . .He knew he had tuberculosis. . . It couldn't be. . .
"Ken-nii. . ." Kaoru called out again in a very weak tone. "Pa-pa. . .Papa won't wake up! Help me wake him up Ken-nii! Help me!" Kaoru started to wail and her tears streaked down like never before. She was choking and words seemed to constrict in her throat.
Kamiya-sensei won't. . .wake. . .up? No. . . Kenshin couldn't believe his ears. He didn't want to believe.
"Where is he?!" he quickly asked.
"He's in his room. He won't wake up! Please come and with me and wake him up!" Kaoru was rambling. It wasn't right for someone so young to go through such a thing like this. . .He knew what it felt like to loose parents. . .He lost them too. . .But then, he didn't want to think that Mr. Kamiya was. . .
At that, Kenshin quickly carried Kaoru in his arms and hurried inside to see Mr. Kamiya. Opening the shouji, he found his sensei lying lifelessly on his bed.
Kenshin blinked twice and then let Kaoru down carefully on the floor checking that she was comfortable from her ankle. He walked nearer to Mr. Kamiya. Kenshin checked his pulse on the older man's hands. None. He didn't want to loose hope. He checked his neck. None. He still didn't want to believe. Kenshin drew his ear near to Mr. Kamiya's nose to listen to his breathing. None.
No. . .No. . . Kenshin head was swinging left to right in disagreement.
"Ken-nii. . .Wake him up! Wake papa up! Wake him up. . ." Kaoru's shout turned to another sorrowful cry cracking Kenshin's heart.
She's just a child. . .Why?. . . The thought boggled him. Acting quickly, he rushed outside to call for Dr. Genzai.
When they both returned to the room, they found Kaoru lying beside his father hugging him with her small hands. She wasn't crying anymore. She was even saying her farewell to her father. The both of them stayed outside the door to watch the little girl.
"Papa, I promise to be a good girl for you. I will be strong. I will protect the people I love like what you did and taught me too. I promise to master the Kasshin-ryuu like Ken-nii. . .I promise. . ." Kaoru kissed her father's cheek and then closed her eyes and slept.
It was then that Dr. Genzai and Kenshin stepped in. He commanded Kenshin to carry Kaoru out and take her to her room and then call for Hiko.
When Kenshin returned with Hiko, the older man couldn't believe what his eyes saw. His childhood friend was gone. . . Forever. . .
"Hiko, I believe Kamiya wanted you to have this. . ." Dr. Genzai held out a piece of paper in his hands.
Hiko took it only to find out it was a letter. He opened it and started to read its content.
Hiko,
Sooner or later, I'll pass out. It's sad that I didn't have enough time to help other people. In that case, I'll leave the dojo under your care because I know you'll take care of it and treasure it and use it to help others. The house will be left to Dr. Genzai and to my daughter. I already made my will statement. You can ask my attorney to give it to you. Please take care of everything while I'm away. Till we meet again.
Hiko Seijorou laid his hand over the blanket covered body of his friend. Until that time. . . Closing his eyes, he whispered in his mind, I will. . .I promise. . .
Dr. Genzai took Kenshin out of the room quietly leaving time for Hiko to "talk" with Mr. Kamiya.
"Kenshin, I found this on Kamiya's table. I guess he wants you to have this." Again, Dr. Genzai held out a small piece of paper to him.
He bowed and took the paper. Dr. Genzai bowed in return and left to call for the morgue.
Kenshin,
You are one of my prize students. I know you'll be a great someone many years from now. A responsible and a good man like your Uncle. I want you to take care of my daughter. She is fond of you like her own elder brother. When the time that I have to go comes, I trust that you'll take care of her like what you have been doing since the day she was born. Himura, may Kami-sama look after all of you always.
"Kamiya-sensei. . ." Kenshin whispered to the sunset. "I will. . . I promise. . . Thank you for everything. . ."
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Kaoru sat on the porch of her room one early morning. She was having a hard time tying her silky black hair. Exasperated, she whipped the blue ribbon on the wooden floor.
"Mou!" she exclaimed. She quickly remembered her father. Usually, he was the one who tied Kaoru's hair in a ponytail. It had been almost two weeks since he passed away. And I miss him so much. . . Kaoru said to no one staring at the ribbon which was clenched on her hand. The wind blew over her hair ruffling it.
Kenshin rounded a corner. He has just finished cleaning the dojo to be used for the morning session and was wearing a blue training hakama and white gi when he saw Kaoru's small figure with her back on him. He had to smile at the way she struggled with her hair. From his point of view, he knew the little girl was "fuming". He decided to check up on her. After all, he was like his guardian now.
"Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin asked trying not to startle her.
The child recognized the proverbial voice. She smiled and looked at her back expecting her Ken-nii.
"Ken-nii!" she cried happily and ran to him.
Kenshin lowered his stance to meet Kaoru who ran to him for a hug.
"Ken-nii! Ken-nii!" Kaoru was jumping while her hands embraced his neck.
Kenshin placed his arms around the girl's back and hushed. "You don't want to choke me ne, Kaoru-dono?"
Kaoru grinned as she looked at him biting her lower lip. She moved her head side wards giggling.
"Ken-nii, can you please help me tie my hair? Papa used to do it for me, but. . ." her voice trailed off in a bitter tone.
"Of course I will!" Kenshin broke in to stop Kaoru's musings.
Kaoru smiled again, all signs of loneliness gone. She released her hold and gave Kenshin the ribbon on her hands.
He readily took it and placed his hands over her shoulders to make her turn around. Gently as he could, he fixed Kaoru's soft and smooth hair to a nice ponytail. The sun was shining and it lit up the blue highlights that her hair had.
Kaoru ran her hand through her hair and found the way Kenshin tied it close to how her Father used to do.
"Doumo!" that angelic voice spoke to Kenshin with all its childish warmth. She went to him to place a kiss on his cheek as a sign of her thankfulness.
Kenshin smiled and let Kaoru sit on his lap. They enjoyed the companionship together with the summer breeze blowing over them both.
Kenshin started to sing a very familiar tune. A tune they always sang together during the summer. . .
Ah. . .Shizukana gogo no umibe o
Watagumo chirashite natsu ga nagareru
Kaoru smiled and she continued the second verse.
Yureru gage sanbashide
Sotto yori sotte'iru noni
Futari mada se o mukete
Jyareru youni kengatsuzu keterune
Reaching the chorus, they both sang with pleasure even swaying.
Moshimo kiseki o hitostu okoseru to iunara
Kono isshon o E no naka ni tojikome
Kawaru jidai no Sawa ga shisanante shirazuni
Tada anata dake mitsumetai. . .
The two of them continued to sing until the last line and were laughing together.
Kaoru saw a small bird that landed on a branch of the old Chinese Acacia tree that stood outside the porch of her room. Then she remembered something.
"Ken-nii. You know what? I read a story about Huck Finn. He and his friends built themselves a house on top of a tree! Is that possible?" Kaoru stated.
"Well, yes. That's called a tree house. But, the house should be suitable to the tree so that it won't fall."
"Ohh. . ." Kaoru plainly answered while her head nodded.
Kenshin caught sight of the acacia tree. It had a lot of sturdy branches which was had a safe distance from the ground. Then he had an idea.
"Tell you what, let's make you a tree house!" Kenshin said invitingly.
Kaoru was surprised. She turned her head to meet Kenshin's face. "Really?! Yay!" She stood up quickly and her head was leveled to Kenshin's. She placed her forehead onto his own and quickly hugged him again.
"Ureshii!" she happily declared. "Then, let's get going! We'll be busy the whole day!" she pulled at Kenshin's arm coaxing him to follow.
"Oro!" Kenshin couldn't do anything but to follow the little child who was filled with excitement.
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It was already half past 17:00 when Kenshin, with a little help from Hiko-sensei--of course, with him cussing another "baka deshi" and complained that he didn't master Hiten Misturugi just to be a tree house builder. But when, Kenshin mentioned Kaoru's name, Hiko suddenly changed his mood and quickly helped him raise up the materials up the tree. And now, Kenshin was attaching the wooden stairs to the tree house's door.
"Ken-nii!" Kaoru called out coming out the house. She was holding a tray of macaroons and two glasses of Apple Juice.
Upon seeing the tree house which was placed majestically atop the tree's branches, her eyes widened with pleasure and she placed the tray down carefully on the floor. She ran to Kenshin with shimmering blue eyes.
"Kaoru-dono!" Kenshin blurted out in surprise.
"It's finished." She was smiling widely and stared up at the tree house.
"Would you want to go up? I just completed attaching the stairs." he queried the same time he invited.
"Yes and yes!" Her hands were clasped with each other in delight. "Oh! I almost forgot! Why don't we have our snack up in the tree house? You made it for me after all, ne?"
Kenshin chuckled. "Hiko-sensei helped me too."
Kaoru's mouth made an o-shape. "Then, I'll just bring him his favorite sake later. But for now, let's eat up the tree, Ken-nii!" her eyes were pleading.
Kenshin couldn't say no to those gullible eyes. He took the tray from Kaoru and helped her to get up.
The tree house was neither too small nor too big. There was a lot of space for some other things inside. There was enough legroom that even Kenshin can stand without his head reaching the ceiling.
Kaoru went to the window and stared outside. From there, she had a bird's eye view of the whole compound and the surrounding areas.
"I wish Papa was also here so he can see what I'm seeing right now. . ." Kaoru said those words not sad. Not happy. Just tamed.
Kenshin shrugged his shoulders. "Kaoru-dono, I'm sure your papa is watching over you right now. I'm sure he's seeing what you're seeing right now." Kenshin said compassionately.
Kaoru returned her gaze to Kenshin. Her face was so peaceful now. There was no sign of aloneness or loneliness. Kenshin was amazed at how fast Kaoru's recovery was.
"Let's eat! I'm hungry!" Kaoru said while letting herself down to the floor in an Indian sit.
After eating, they put aside the glasses and both decided to go down.
"Ken-nii, doumo!" Kaoru said with all her gratitude.
"Oro! It was nothing Kaoru-dono. I just did what I thought to make you feel happy."
Once again, Kaoru embraced her Ken-nii burying her head on his abdomen.
"I love you sooo much Ken-nii! You love me to, don't you?" Kaoru said her voice muffled by Kenshin's gi.
Kenshin was incredulous. I love you sooo much Ken-nii! You love me to, don't you? Those words rang through his senses. How can he not love such an adorable child? Indeed. He loved her. He loved her like his own sister. A sister that he was destined to protect and take care of.
"But of course! Everyone loves you Kaoru-dono!" Kenshin returned brushing her hair.
Kaoru looked up at him and smiled contentedly. "So then, you'll wait for me until I grow up, right? No one but me, huh?" her fore head was crumpled waiting for an answer.
Kenshin gave out a short laugh. "Hai, hai Kaoru-dono!"
"Promise???" her lips were twitched.
Kenshin raised his right hand and said, "I promise Kaoru-dono." Then he placed a kiss on her head.
Once again, Kaoru smiled. But then, she frowned. Kenshin's eyes were questioning.
"Just one thing. . .Don't call me Kaoru-dono!"
It was Kenshin's turn to smile. "Ow? What do you want me to call you then?"
Kaoru rubbed her chin while her eyes were closed. She opened her eyes with a curve on her lips. "Kaoru-hime!"
"Okay, okay. You're my Little Princess." Kenshin had to agree with that. She was indeed a princess and needs to be treated like one.
"Yay!" Kaoru giggled sweetly to her new name.
"Now then, my little princess, would you care for a dance?" Kenshin asked handing out his hand which Kaoru took. The two danced a simple waltz imagining there was sweet music playing by an orchestra. After that, Kenshin bowed down to her and so did she. He took the tray from the floor and told her they had to go down since it was near sunset.
"Piggy back ride my little princess?" he invited.
"Sure!" Kaoru answered back as she happily rode on Kenshin's back carefully taking her down the tree house.
Tsuzuko
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A/N: That was Chappie 2! I myself am excited on how this story will turn out. I have a lot of ideas on how, but I still haven't decided yet. Well, as for the moment, sessha has to say bye bye. I'll be back with chapter 3! Thanks for reading! Mwaaaaahhh!!!
Please do review this contemptible work of mine. You'll surely make me smile like what little Kaoru has been doing in this chapter for a lot of times! (lol)
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