ALTERING RULES
By: Chiki Yumeshisa
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin……all original characters/ideas are mine to claim.
AN: This story will go slow, but I'm starting to incorporate some of my plans. This is harder to write than I expected. Please bear with me! Enjoy!
>Chiki
Warnings: None.
CHAPTER 7
- Nothing Is Ever Easy -
Kenshin unrolled the map and laid it on the table, holding the corners down with small flat rocks so it wouldn't fly with the wind. His red hair was now tied up in a high ponytail so that it wouldn't get in his way as he discussed strategies. He had excused himself to clean up a little, being uncomfortable with the way Tomoe kept looking at him disdainfully.
He now wore his armor and cape, both of which were clean from the blood that had gotten on them because of the battle the other day. He wore no helmet, but he still looked dashing.
Sir Cyus stood beside him, looking a bit tired and anxious. Tomoe was silent, her hands hidden by her sleeves, and her gaze intently scanning the map.
"If we go take the Biron Trail, following the river, we can make our attack." Kenshin's finger followed his course of words on the map. "The River Gazal runs to Chouso. The Torrins have been reported to be coming in from the north, but we can intercept them if we take this route."
Sir Cyus sat down, rubbing one finger idly over a temple. "It would take too long – the Torrins are moving fast, as if hell itself were after them. If we took the Biron Trail, we might miss them – if we employ them now…..we could probably catch them, but that is not certain. Besides, we haven't yet informed the army….
Kenshin's eyes clouded momentarily. "Nothing is certain." He fell silent, pensive. "Well, then, we should attack from both sides, which means we will have to split our army in two. But…..that would mean, those who are in the front line may be slain."
"War is about sacrifice and death. It cannot be helped." Tomoe interrupted coldly.
The air was suddenly tense, as the truth of her words sunk in. Kenshin could feel his anger suddenly boil – was she suggesting that it was fine to use others……to have them be sacrificed?
"Split the army into 3. Attack from both sides and from behind – it would be wise to close them in." Was Kenshin's equally cold reply.
Their stare-off was cut short as Tomoe haughtily turned away, addressing Sir Cyus. "I advise you to attack at night. To not be seen by an enemy is a great advantage."
The elder man nodded. "Very well. We shall move out tomorrow and inform the army first."
She actually smirked. "Hn…….strength to you." She gave him a nod of her head, and bowed gracefully to Kenshin, who was still bristling.
Afterwards, she turned and left.
And good riddance, Kenshin thought, darkly, watching as her figure exited. He couldn't help but scowl at her back. Sir Cyus chuckled, breaking the tension.
"She reminds me of Venus." Kenshin growled. "Yet she is so unlike her, it makes me so angry."
"…….Venus? You still think about her?"
Kenshin froze, realizing that he had spoken his thoughts out loud. Since there was no taking it back, he replied softly, "Every single day."
Again, silence fell, as there was nothing either wanted to say, afraid of treading dangerous grounds.
The door opened again, and in toddled a small boy with bright blue eyes and blond hair. His plump face broke into a smile that revealed a few pearly white teeth. He did not even reach Kenshin's knee with his height, but in time, he would grow. For the moment, he was Sir Cyus' little treasure, and the pride of his life.
Picking up his bundle of joy, Sir Cyus ruffled the child's hair as little arms were thrown around his neck. "Lorien, what are you doing here? Where is your mother?"
The child merely laughed, and clapped his hands, before patting his father's face happily. At that exact moment, Naomi entered, a bit flushed. Her long hair was in a tangled mess, and her hands were fisted in her skirts, as she had lifted them up slightly so they wouldn't sweep the floor. "Lorien, come away this instant!" She scolded, taking the small boy from his father. "I'm so sorry, Cyus……."
"That's okay…….Naomi….." he trailed off, and his hand touched her stomach gingerly. "…….n-nothing, never mind……." He was thinking about what Consolence had said that morning. It was better not to tell her about that. She would get all upset and paranoid, and he didn't need that. "….Just be careful, okay?" he said quietly, "I don't want you to be hurt, or our baby to be hurt either." He then spoke to Lorien. "And you must behave my good lord."
The boy merely laughed again and reached out to tug on his father's finger playfully. The man sighed, and Naomi smiled.
Kenshin, feeling really out of place, began to roll the map up once more. There were still some things he had to think about, like, how many men would be needed, and where and how to position them. As much as possible, he didn't want anyone to die. The burden of being a leading officer was almost too much to bear sometimes, but he had already resigned himself to doing so a long time ago….. "I will take my leave." He announced.
Sir Cyus called out, "Oh, Sir Kenshin, do start gathering up the army. We must decide on battle tactics and arrangements later this evening. Meet me in the courtyard after dinner."
"I will do so, Sir." Kenshin replied smoothly, dipping his head, before leaving. Once outside, he fell back against the smooth oak of the door with a sigh. There always seemed to be more to do. When would he ever have time to rest? When would he ever have time off for himself?
His mind spun, and then fell upon a certain blue-eyed girl he remembered sitting by the fountain that morning. Maybe she would be there the next morning. Maybe he could speak with her again, before leaving for war……..
0-0-0-0-0-0
Kaoru stiffened, her hands clenching at her sides, waiting for the impact of her mistress' slap.
But it didn't come.
Instead, she gasped, as Megumi's delicate hands grasped her shoulders and shook her slightly. "What can you possibly do? If what you say is true…." She sounded frantic.
Surprised, Kaoru asked, "Y-you believe me?"
"Well, of course – were you lying?"
"N-no, my Lady….I wasn't. Please go and do something."
Megumi shook her again. She had never been in this type of situation before. It was obvious Kaoru was not lying as she had risked getting beaten and had been adamant about her news. "I am a woman – what can I possibly do? No one will listen……"
Kaoru's mind raced. How much more would anyone listen to her, a servant? "Megumi-san, there is someone who might listen to you – the Lord
Sagara!"
"Sanosuke?" She asked, a bit skeptically. "Kaoru….."
"He'll listen to you for sure! He loves you, doesn't he?"
Megumi let go of her shoulders, and this time, it was Kaoru's turn
to grasp her mistress'. "It's not that simple….."
Nothing ever was.
Kaoru took the liberty to run to the doorway and throw it open. She glanced down the wide hallway, scanning to see if Sanosuke was still there. He wasn't. Disappointed, she turned to the taller girl, blue eyes determined. "He can't be far away. I'll go get him."
"Kaoru!" She cried, aghast. "You can't just drag him here! If anyone were to see…….."
"Then, send for me to do an errand. And I will purposely look for him and tell him to go to you." She glanced down the hall again, before saying, "if you don't, he may die…..and then for sure, you will never be able to see him ever again……."
That thought made Megumi's breath hitch up in her chest. To never see Sanosuke again was like a dagger through her heart. Her fingers trembled, and she clutched them together by her bosom. She had no right to love him, but she did, anyway. Even if she couldn't be with him, she wanted him safe. She wanted to see him every day…..the thought that he might die out in battle made her heart wrench painfully. "I…..." She shook her head.
Kaoru realized that Megumi was too afraid to act. Of course – all the women were. In a world where men dominated, it was hard not to be afraid. That was the way it was always going to be. She bowed. "Forgive me, Mistress…….I spoke too much…….."
Megumi gently tilted Kaoru's chin up, making the girl straighten. "I wish for a fresh pot of roses in my bedroom to lighten it up. Go down to the garden and get me a couple of yellow ones." Her eyes held hope.
Her servant smiled. "As you wish, my Lady……." She answered. "I will find him for you, surely." With that, she hurried down the hall.
It wasn't as easy as she planned it to be. As she hurried past corridors and doorways, she began to wonder how far a man could have possibly gotten in the last five minutes. Unless he had taken a different route. Or had gone into a room…….her heart thumped in her chest, as she thought to go back and try another direction.
It was important for Megumi…….and it was important to her. Sir Kenshin would be in trouble! Why she cared, she didn't know. But that man had struck a chord in her somewhere, and she wanted him to be safe as well. Of course, she did not express her thoughts aloud to Megumi – that idea would be preposterous. But if there was one thing she knew, Sanosuke seemed to be friends with Kenshin. That made her speed up and she rounded the corner sharply, slamming into someone, causing her to fall on her rear painfully.
She let out a little grunt, and brought her hand up to her head, morosely. That hurt! Pain flooded through her body, and she tried to regain the breath that she had lost. Her eyes caught sight of the color blue, and then worn leather boots. They were travel stained, mud crusted by the soles, and they looked old. She then let her eyes travel upward. Armor, a tunic, a crest and a cape…..and then, a handsome face. She blinked as she stared at another Daikansoldier.
This all happened in a span of about five seconds. Feeling her cheeks heat up with embarrassment, she tried to scramble to her feet, and froze when she saw the man offer his hand to help her up. Tentatively, she took it, and he lifted her easily, as if she were a rag doll.
Akira had been walking down the hall, rather upset at a few of his trainees. They had skipped out on practice to go have a fun time. Now they were all piss drunk, and would be of no use for that day, or the next, for that matter. He knew they would all be complaining about hangovers. He knew it was rather harsh of him – all work and no play usually left him with a grumbling troop. He couldn't help himself though, at times so dark it was better to be safe than sorry.
Still, he had berated the bunch severely and had angrily stormed out of the room. After a couple of minutes, his head began to clear and he began to cool off. That was when he bumped into a certain raven haired individual. She was dressed in yellow, her long black hair tied up in a high ponytail. Her blue eyes shot open to see who it was that she had collided with.
Her beauty was astounding. He was almost afraid that she was a maiden, but he stopped himself from spilling apologies when he caught sight of cuff marks on her wrists as he pulled her up. She was a servant…….her master must have taken off the chains.
"I beg your pardon, my Lord." She said, hurriedly. "I wasn't looking where I was going."
He waved his hand as if to brush that away. "It's quite all right. Where are you off to?"
Kaoru glanced nervously over her shoulder. Was it okay to be talking like this to an officer? Wouldn't she get in trouble? "My Lady asked me to get her some flowers…….." At least it wasn't a lie.
He smiled. His hands had begun to get sweaty and start shaking. Why was he all of a sudden so nervous? "Well, the gardens are not this way: this is the east wing. You are going in the wrong direction."
Kaoru swallowed her suddenly dry throat. Had this man suddenly caught on to her plan of finding Sanosuke? Taking a step back, she stuttered, "Thank you, my Lord. If you will excuse me….."
Akira watched as she left. He hadn't even asked her name…..
He burned the image of her into his mind, intending to find out later just whose servant she was. Why, he had no clue…..it was then that he caught sight of Tomoe, who was watching him from around the corner.
She had stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes trained on him. Her face betrayed no emotion, but her eyes did. Curiosity. Behind her, Consolence scowled at her sudden stop. When she saw why, she let her penetrating gaze settle on the man. Then, almost as if she had been slapped, she turned her eyes away. She didn't need more pain…..
The stare-off was cut short, as Consolence suddenly turned. "We are going in the wrong direction." She said gravely to her friend. She could not convey how she felt about that man in words of English so she reverted to her tongue. "He is….different."
"Is he now?" Tomoe asked softly, never letting her gaze fall from Akira. She fingered her shawl thoughtfully, her voice graceful. For some strange reason, she could not stop looking at him. "What is different about him?"
Consolence shot Tomoe a glare. "Let's just leave. If you wish to gawk at him, then go ahead. I have more important matters to deal with."
Tomoe gave her a little shrug in response, and Consolence stormed off.
Akira silently watched the whole exchange. He had no idea what they were saying, but he, for some strange reason, wanted to know. He wondered if they were angry with one another, as the Lady Consolence left in a huff. The Lady Yukishiro didn't move a muscle though, continuing to stare at him.
She was beautiful too – but a maiden no one wanted to mess with. In all truth, she scared Akira. Unlike most girls who were under the subject of masters or men, she didn't seem to be fazed by any of it. If anything, she had men on their knees before her. How? He had no clue. Perhaps, she was of some noble background. Perhaps, she was someone of importance. She certainly acted like it. He knew nothing of her, had never spoken with her…..he had seen her once or twice, but never as close as this. He swallowed.
He had heard rumors about the two, how they only seemed to cause trouble for everyone. Especially that strange blue-haired one. Just seeing her made his skin crawl. He wondered what would happen if he were to speak, and what would happen if he didn't.
Finally, she blinked, and bowed slightly. "A good day to you, Sir."
Blood drained from his face at the sound of her voice being directed to him. Not knowing whether to bow or to grovel, he merely clapped a fist over his heart, over the embossed crest of the Daikan army, as he was used to doing. "And to you, my Lady."
She regarded him again, coolly. "I do not believe we have met."
Akira shook his head. He felt himself start to get weak, as she stepped closer. White plums…….she smelled like white plums.
"I am known as Yukishiro Tomoe." She told him. "Though, you have probably heard."
He nodded, wordlessly. Then, realizing that he must have looked ill-mannered, he quickly blurted, "Kiyosato Akira, my Lady."
"Kiyosato…….Akira….." She tasted the name. "I will not forget." She gave him a small smile, bowed again, and walked away, even before Akira could get an intelligible response out. He had melted into a pile of goo quicker than he could have supposed.
Then, he hurried away: he had to have a word with Sir Cyus before the day was done. There was always bad news coming in. Would there ever be a day where good news came in?
Tomoe engraved the soldier's name in her head. Her heart was racing with the knowledge of it. Perhaps, she had feelings for him? No……she couldn't…….
She caught sight of Kaoru running ahead of her. She had seen that girl somewhere before, but she couldn't place her finger on where. Taking her mind off that, she turned to find where Consolence had gone. It wouldn't do if the girl was alone, as trouble seemed to take a liking to her.
0-0-0-0-0-0
Out of breath, Kaoru managed to make it to the gardens. With a bit of disappointment at not being able to find Sanosuke, she glumly made her way to the flowers.
As she reached over to pick one up, her finger got pricked by a thorn, and she pulled her hand back with a hiss.
"Careful there, little miss!"
Jumping, she turned to see Sanosuke standing nearby, leaning against a tree lazily. He was chewing on a twig absently.
For a minute, she almost forgot to breathe. Standing next to him was Kenshin. He gave her a brief look, but then turned without so much of a glance at her, and briskly left. She watched him, transfixed. She wanted to run up to him and greet him. But then, she remembered: he didn't know her. He had not before seen her face. This time, there was no veil to cover it. He seemed in a hurry, too, so she didn't want to interrupt him from his duties.
Sanosuke noticed her staring at Kenshin. He smirked. The world always seemed so unfair. He almost wished that he hadn't picked Kaoru out from the line of servants – her fate would probably be more painful now.
"Flowers for Megumi?" he asked, finally.
Snapping out of it, Kaoru tore her gaze away from Kenshin's retreating figure, and nodded. "Ah…….aa……" Then, as if a little alarm rang in her head, she remembered why she was there to begin with. She had found him finally. "My Lord, my mistress needs to speak with you, urgently."
His eyes clouded. "What?"
"It's important, and she sent me to find you. However, because you two are for some reason not permitted to be seen together, she sent me to find you. Please, come. She waits."
He spat the twig out. Didn't Megumi know that it was dangerous to do this? But, Kaoru sounded so desperate that the only thing he could do was nod. He wondered what could possibly be wrong.
Satisfied, Kaoru gathered a couple of flowers, and shot him a hopeful glance, before running back to Megumi's room.
Megumi looked anxious as Kaoru came in. "Were you able to find him?" She asked.
"Yes." Kaoru replied, winded. "He will come."
Megumi clutched her hands together nervously, as Kaoru began to arrange the flowers by her mistress' window. Her eyes fell on a painting of a lady, poised and serious-looking. She had dark eyes and the same long black hair that Megumi possessed. Her lips were tightly pressed together in a disapproving manner, and her eyes seemed forbidding. She stood next to a man who was thin and younger-looking by a few years. He had dark hair and pale skin, with sunken eyes that seemed tired. He wasn't smiling either. He was a gentleman, without a doubt.
"My parents." Megumi said, quietly, as she saw Kaoru looking at it intensely. "Mother wasn't very happy, and neither was Father. That is all I have left of them."
Kaoru finished fixing up the flowers before saying, "They seem nice."
Megumi shook her head. "Mother was in fact, very strict. Father was gentle, but he was hardly home. They were highly respected, and so, I was forced to live as a perfect lady around them and others."
Kaoru smiled a bit, sadly. "You're lucky: I don't remember my parents. And……if they could see where I am now, I'm sure they would be very ashamed of me, instead of proud. You live at the palace of the King! And you are a perfect lady. I'm sure your parents are proud of you."
"I'd like to think that." Megumi told her, half-heartedly. "And, I'm sure your parents wouldn't ever be ashamed of you, Kaoru. Come sit by me." She had settled herself down in a plush chair, and Kaoru folded her legs under herself by Megumi's side, wondering what her mistress had in store.
She seemed wistful when she spoke next. "I've always wanted a little sister. Or, a really close friend. And for some strange reason, I find it easy to speak with you. You don't find me strange?"
Kaoru shook her head. "No, Mistress ……"
Megumi laughed, pulling Kaoru's ribbon free, letting the black locks tumble loosely around the younger girl's shoulders. "Then, I will treat you as a friend, and tell you all my secrets: though, you must not tell anyone else." She picked up her brush from her side table and began to gently brush through Kaoru's hair.
In shock, Kaoru sat stone still. Maybe she was dreaming? Since when did a Lady brush her servant's hair? She didn't know how to respond, until Megumi gave her a light poke. "In return, you may tell me anything that is on your mind. I will listen, if I can do no more. Surely, servant girls have thoughts and secrets too."
Kaoru blushed. For some strange reason, Kenshin's image came to mind. Struggling to push the heat away, she managed to mumble, "T-thank you, my lady……." She didn't know what to think of Megumi's suggestion. It certainly would take some getting used to.
It was then that someone knocked on the door. Megumi got to her feet easily, to see who it was. Kaoru quickly got to hers, threading her hair back into its original ponytail. She saw Sano standing there.
"What's up?" He asked, smoothly.
She pulled him into her quarters, quickly closing the door behind him. She had him sit in the chair she had gotten up from. "Sanosuke, I won't allow you to go with the army this time."
Surprised, Sano tried to get up. "What are you talking about, Megumi? You know I have….."
"No." She told him. "You'll die out there, for sure."
He looked confused. "There's always a chance….."
Megumi didn't know what else to say. Flustered, she shook her head. "You can't…."
This time, he got up. His blue cape caught onto the armrest, and he yanked it off clumsily. "It's my job, Megumi. I'll be fine."
"But the Lady Consolence said….." Kaoru began. She trailed off when he looked in her direction.
"What?" he demanded.
"….That if you went, you'd die…..along with your commanding officer." She finished lamely.
Sanosuke let out a little snarl. "The Lady Consolence says many things." However, he sounded pensive.
"Please, Sanosuke…." Megumi whispered.
He ran his fingers through his hair. "Women…." He muttered angrily. At Megumi's withering look, he sighed. "All right, I'll see what I can do. Just….stop looking at me like that."
Relief washed over her features.
"But that wasn't a yes. You can't just tell the commanding officer that he shouldn't go to battle. What will that look like to the men?"
He had some truth in that. Everyone looked up to Kenshin. Depending on who was leading them, they expected to follow every order, and every command. Without the lead person, they'd be lost and fall apart. Since Kenshin had already made rounds and started informing the army that they would all leave the next day, this news would be ill-received and probably impossible to carry out.
Seeing the relief turn into despair, Sanosuke quickly tried to quell the tears that would surely start falling down his beloved's face. "I'll do what I can, my Lady. I make no promises."
She nodded. "I understand……"
"I must go now." He told her gently. A smile took place on his rugged features. "I'll be back – for sure."
She smiled, and nodded.
He poked his head out of the room first, to scan if there was anyone in sight. Seeing no one, he exited fully and quickly, making his way down the hall with his long, loping stride, his cape flapping behind him.
He hadn't seen though: one person had been watching as he left Megumi's room.
Hidden in the shadows, the person watched as Sanosuke stole away, hoping not to be seen.
But he had been……
To Be Continued…….
AN: There's that chapter. Sorry if it seemed mundane – but you'll understand why
Megs/Sano are trying to keep their meetings secret later on. And someone saw them – this could cause trouble. What of Kenshin? Some past thing to be revealed again? And of course, there's Tomoe and Consolence, Kaoru and now, Akira. As always, minna, please review! Thanks to everyone again! I'll see you all next week Saturday!