The Art of Seduction: Chapter 5
Meeting the Family
By Iridian
-Pay no attention to the truth behind the smokescreen.-
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, it belongs to Nobuhiro Watsuki.
The six immediately headed into the main house, guards subtly watching the perimeter of the compound, and keeping an eye out for the new guests.
Kenshin strode into the main house, through the large dark wood doors inside, leading them into a tastefully decorated foyer, a large sweeping staircase evident from the front entrance.
"Kenshin?" came a voice from another part of the house.
Soon afterward, the owner of the voice, a tall graceful woman with long, silver hair came into the foyer.
"Kenshin, I'm so glad to see you," said the woman, giving Kenshin a hug, then stepping back.
Following her, two elegant looking women followed, yawning slightly.
The one with midnight black hair and violet eyes perked up when she saw him, rushing over to give him a hug.
"Where were you? We came and Nara told us you were out," informed the small girl, pursing her lips.
Meanwhile, the woman with inky black hair and gold eyes had sat on one of the chairs positioned around the foyer, her head cradled in her hands.
With an audible groan, she lifted her head up. "Kenshin, you know I would give you a hug, but the smart one over there dropped a whole pile of books on my head this morning, and it is still throbbing."
Kaoru stood up, narrowing her eyes as she moved closer to Kenshin in a blatantly possessive gesture.
"Watashi wa Kamiya Kaoru," she said formally.
Kenshin began introducing the women.
Gesturing to the silver haired woman with mercurial grey eyes, he said, "This is my cousin, Endo Inoe. She is my first cousin, the daughter of one of my mother's three sisters."
He pointed to the one with black hair and violet eyes next. "This is also my first cousin, Niikura Nari."
Lastly, he pointed to the one with black hair and gold eyes identical to Kenshin's own. "This is my other cousin, Arai Tsukinoyo."
He drew Kaoru close to him, his arm curling around her waist. "This is my fiancée, Kamiya Kaoru, daughter of Emperor Hajime Saitoh."
The four women bowed, murmuring, "Hajimemashite."
Kenshin turned, gesturing to the dark-haired boy to his left. "This is Seta Soujirou, Kaoru's shishou."
If the three women knew anything of the Tenken, they showed no reaction, only politely bowing in acknowledgement of the boy's polite greeting, returning on of their own.
"What, no greeting for me?" said Sano, his brown eyes twinkling.
Nari turned, sticking her tongue out at him in a decidedly unladylike manner. "You are not worth the effort, Sagara-san."
Tsukinoyo propped her head up, gold eyes strikingly similar to Kenshin's own looking amusedly at Sano. "Konbanwa, tori-atama, done anything note-worthily stupid lately?"
"Tsukinoyo," admonished Inoe.
"I think the books messed her up more than she thought," said Sano, sticking his nose up in the air.
"Listen you-," said Tsukinoyo, but then cut herself off when she noticed the little girl perched on his shoulder.
"This is Tsubame," said Sano, setting the girl on the ground.
"Hajimemashite, Inoe-dono, Nari-dono, Tsukinoyo-dono." Tsubame bowed, a slight blush on her cheeks.
"Hajimemashite Tsubame-chan," replied the women.
"You all must be very tired, I'll show Kaoru and Tsubame to their room," said Inoe, turning.
"She will be staying in the chambers adjoining mine tonight, then after the wedding she'll move into my rooms," said Kenshin.
"Tsubame will be staying in the same wing as Yahiko," said Kenshin.
Almost on cue, a small boy came hurtling around the corner.
"Oi, tori-atama, you're back? Kenshin, Aoshi, Misao!" said Yahiko, stopping next to Nari and sticking his tongue out at Sano. Yahiko turned, looking briefly at Kaoru. "Who's she?"
"Yahiko, this is my fiancée, Kamiya Kaoru," said Kenshin.
"Oh. Gomen Kenshin, you have to marry busu," said Yahiko.
"Konbanwa, Yahiko-chan. I didn't think I'd ever see you again," said Kaoru, venom lacing her voice.
Yahiko flushed. "DON'T CALL ME CHAN, BUSU!"
Kaoru smirked.
"When did you meet Yahiko, Kaoru?" said Kenshin.
"Yahiko-chan," said Kaoru, emphasizing chan, "Was once caught in my kingdom for pickpocketing. The penalty is having your hand chopped off."
All heads turned to her as she continued with her story, Yahiko only letting out a half-hearted snort.
Flashback
Yahiko was thrown into the throne room of the Emperor.
"What has this boy done?" said Saitoh, puffing away on a ancient form of cigar.
"He was caught pickpocketing, your majesty," said the soldier, cuffing Yahiko. He fell to the floor, still glaring at the emperor.
"Was he? Well, you know the penalty-." Saitoh was cut off as his daughter burst into the room.
"Father, wait! You can't do that, he's only a little kid," said Kaoru, gesturing to Yahiko.
"He was doing it to feed himself, I mean look how skinny he is!" Kaoru continued on rambling, her father and mother looking amusedly at her.
She finally noticed the soldier holding Yahiko to the floor.
"Let go of him, soldier," said Kaoru, a commanding tone in her voice. The soldier didn't move.
Saitoh got up. "Did you hear the princess's orders?" he roared. The soldier dropped Yahiko, immediately backing away.
"We'll let him go. But, Kaoru, we can't allow him to stay in the kingdom. People will begin to think they can get away with it," explained Saitoh, sitting back down in his chair.
"I understand, otou-san. I'll find a way," said Kaoru. She began walking away, but then stopped and turned around.
"Well, Yahiko-chan? Let's go," she said.
"Don't call me chan, busu," muttered Yahiko.
Kaoru whacked him on the head.
"Oi, what was that for?" yelled Yahiko.
"I'm not deaf, Yahiko-chan!"
End Flashback
"I gave Yahiko enough provisions and money to get him to the nearest lord's estate, so he could get a job. I sent him out the next day with a merchant friend," explained Kaoru.
"Yours, was the nearest estate," said Yahiko.
"I see," said Kenshin.
"What's all this noise?" boomed another voice.
"Shishou?" said Kenshin.
Seijirou Hiko came around the corner, customary white mantle billowing around his shoulders.
Hiko strode over, then promptly cuffed Kenshin over the head.
"You woke me up, baka deshi," explained Hiko calmly. He surveyed the group.
Kenshin scrambled to introduce Kaoru, still glaring balefully at his master. "This is my fiancée, Kamiya Kaoru."
"Hajimemashite, Hiko-san," said Kaoru, bowing.
"You're my baka deshi's woman, huh? Heh, I feel sorry for you. If you ever tire of him, you can come to me," said Hiko, his head tilted arrogantly.
Kenshin's eyes flashed. "She's mine." Kenshin inclined his head slightly to his master.
"Konbanwa, minna-san," said Kenshin, before sweeping off, leading Kaoru up the stairs.
"Did he bed her already or what?" remarked Hiko casually, "She must be good if he likes her that much."
The rest of the group sweatdropped.
"The rest of us think there might be something other than physical attraction," said Soujirou.
Hiko turned his eyes on the young man. "Nice to see you again, Tenken."
"You too, Hiko-san," said Soujirou, his voice slightly mocking.
"Our students are going to be getting together and reproducing," said Hiko.
"Does it frighten you too?" said Soujirou, smiling.
"Do I look like I need another baka deshi?" said Hiko dryly.
"I'm going to bed," announced Misao, walking off to her bedroom. "Hey, Sou-chan, I'll show you where your room is, it's in the same wing as mine!"
She frowned when Soujirou only looked at her, head cocked to one side.
She ran over, grabbing his wrist and hauling him off.
"Well, come on!"
Hiko shot Soujirou a look as if to say Sou-chan?
"Konbanwa, Misao, Sou-chan," said Hiko, not bothering to conceal his amusement.
Irritation flashed quickly into the Tenken's eyes, before vanishing completely.
"Oi, Yahiko-chan, I'm going to bed. Show Tsubame her room will you?" Sano walked off, his hands held casually behind his head.
Inoe, Nari, and Tsukinoyo followed, leaving to go to bed. Tsukinoyo only paused for one moment, shooting Yahiko and Tsubame an approving glance, then following her cousins.
Aoshi nodded, before sweeping off in another direction.
Hiko smirked, before loudly telling Yahiko to protect Tsubame-chan because it was late, then left.
Yahiko turned to Tsubame.
"Uh..err…follow me then," he stammered, turning around and running ahead to hide his embarrassment.
Tsubame smirked. Sano's rubbing off on her…
---
Hiko snuck quietly back to another building on the premises, keeping completely quiet. He snuck into the building, slinking through the hallways with practiced grace.
"Hiko?"
Hiko cursed loudly.
A dark haired woman walked out of the room that appeared to be Hiko's destination.
"Tadaima," called Hiko.
Tae stepped out of the shadows, a frown gracing her features.
"You kept me awake for half the night, worrying about you, you big oaf, though I don't know why, as if you could be harmed by any of those half-asses that come around here and call themselves assassins." Tae snorted, then pointed accusingly at Hiko.
"Of course they couldn't. I'm Seijirou Hiko, thirteenth master of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu," said Hiko. His cape flared out as he settled into his obligatory heroic stance, his hair flying out and framing his face.
"Hiko, your arrogance astounds," said Tae.
The wind that conveniently whipped his hair and cape into a picturesque frenzy died suddenly.
"But you love me anyway, Tae," said Hiko, smirking as he hauled Tae up onto his shoulder.
"I still don't get why either," said Tae, rolling her eyes.
Hiko set her down, the moonlight highlighting his long silky black hair. He leaned down, meeting Tae's lips in a passionate kiss. Tae felt her knees weaken.
"Ok, I remember," said Tae weakly, leaning against Hiko heavily.
"Of course you do," said Hiko. His eyes turned serious as he swept her up in his arms. "Aishiteru."
---
Nari walked quietly back to her room, reveling in the quiet that she so rarely embraced.
"Oyasumi nasai, Nari. Why are you up so late?"
Nari turned, immediately identifying the voice.
"Captain Souzou." Nari raised a surprised eyebrow at the captain.
"Kenshin just came back, with Aoshi and Sano, and his new fiancée," replied Nari, easily falling into step with Souzou as they walked the corridors.
"New fiancee?" said Souzou.
"Kami-sama, Souzou, you may not pay attention to any of the gossip, but you must know of Kenshin's impending marriage to the Kaoru-hime," said Nari. She sighed, exasperated.
Souzou scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Only people that gossip have these incredibly high voices." He raised his voice to a high-pitched squeak to emphasize his point, putting on the airs of a snobbish noble.
"Well, I hope that my voice isn't so bad," said Nari, sticking her nose in the air.
"Not in the least," replied Souzou.
---
"Sou-chan?"
"Hai, Misao."
"Are you going to be staying here now that Kaoru is?" Misao stopped walking, tilting her head quizzically at him.
"I don't know," replied Soujirou. Misao deflated slightly. "But I'm sure I will be spending a lot of time here."
"That's great! We can train together, and then maybe Aoshi-sama will notice me and-." Misao continued on with her rant, her eyes becoming starry.
Soujirou's omnipresent smile wavered.
The expression flickered briefly.
"I am sure Aoshi-san already notices you, Misao," said Soujirou.
He smiled cheerfully at her and the two continued down to their rooms.
---
"Oyasumi nasai, Inoe," called Tsukinoyo, walking away from her sister.
She walked down the hallway, stopping at a small rock garden.
"Oi, Tsu-chan," called Sano.
"Oyasumi nasai, Tsu-chan," said Megumi, rolling her eyes at her brother, then moving to sit next to Tsukinoyo.
She turned to look at Megumi, her smile burdened.
"I'm ready."
Megumi nodded, pulling out the medicine kit that was placed at her feet. She withdrew a small scalpel, and various medicines and bandages.
Tsukinoyo pulled down one end of her yukata, baring her shoulder.
A deep, bleeding gash was on her shoulder, several layers evident. Healed over and cut over again every night, the scarring was immense and marred the otherwise smooth skin.
Megumi took out the scalpel and began cutting away the stitches she had put in the night before, and setting to work cleaning it and restitching, finishing off with a clean white bandage.
"Let's hope it he-."
Tsukinoyo waved her hand.
"It will never heal, Megumi." She stood, a fine tremor in her stance the only indication of the pain of the procedure that she endured every night.
"Oyasumi nasai, Megumi, Sano." She turned and walked away into the darkness.
Megumi sighed heavily as she saw Tsukinoyo pass out of earshot.
"I wish there was something I could do about this. As a doctor, and knowing that whatever I do it will never leave her…" Megumi trailed off.
"She doesn't deserve it," said Sano, his face solemn.
The two stood in companionable silence.
"I'm tired, I'm going to bed," announced Megumi, standing.
"Oyasumi nasai, oto-chan."
"Oyasumi nasai, onee-chan."
Aoshi and Inoe dropped down silently from their perch on a sakura in the rock garden.
Aoshi regarded Inoe silently.
"How was your trip, Aoshi?" said Inoe, her grey eyes looking at a patch of moonlight.
"It went well."
The monosyllabic response seemed to appease Inoe.
"It will heal, someday," said Aoshi, his blue eyes unreadable.
"Let us hope," said Inoe, her silvery white hair blowing in the wind.
---
Kenshin walked quickly through the hallways, leaving Kaoru scrambling to keep up with him. Finally, he reached a set of ornate shoji doors. He slid them open, and then beckoned for Kaoru to follow.
The room was large and spacious, blending Western and Japanese styles. A balcony overlooked a koi pond and garden, and a large Western style bed sat in the center. A small mahogany writing desk was on one end, with a matching ink set sitting on top. Several ornate screens with black lacquered wood and gold hinges were in the four corners of the room, one right next to a small shrine.
Kenshin gestured to another door to the right of the bed.
"That door leads to my room, where you will be staying after the wedding," said Kenshin.
Kenshin turned and began walking towards the door to his room.
"Wait!"
He stopped in his tracks, then turned and looked at her, his eyebrow raised.
"I uh…just wanted to say thank you for everything and umm…"
Kaoru continued rambling an indistinct apology, but Kenshin cut her off.
"Don't worry about it darling, I'll be thanking you soon enough." He grinned ferally at her.
"Oyasumi nasai, Kaoru-anata," said Kenshin, his voice low and teasing.
Kaoru blushed bright red at the endearment.
Demo…he'll be thanking me?
Sorry for the long wait! Hope you guys like the chapter. Admittedly, I was very hesitant about adding in OC's, but I hope you guys find them not…clichéd or anything. Review!
Iri
Reignashii: Good luck with whatever style you take, all I know is that it took me years to get my black belt…LoL.
Kimarhigirl: Thank you, dear. bows I try.
Royal blueKitsune: I have to say that my story pales in comparison to a lot of those really great Rurouni Kenshin stories, but there are still some. Linay actually stands out notably in my mind. Great writer.
Sulou: I really hate it when people make Kaoru so one-dimensional. Obsessed with Kenshin, a little psychotic…and that's it. I definitely think there's more to the tanuki-chan. ;)
Thanks to:
Happyangel123
Iron chefs lady
Sims are awesome
For reviewing!
