The Art of Seduction: Chapter 7
Three Cups of Sake
by Iridian
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, it belongs to Nobuhiro Watsuki.
Kaoru stood nervously in all her finery, anxiously twisting a fine black silk handkerchief around and around in her hands.
"Stop messing around with that, you'll ruin the fabric," said Megumi, her narrow eyes amused.
Kaoru immediately stopped, untwisting the handkerchief and smoothing out the wrinkles while shooting a glare at Megumi.
Inoe, Nari, and Tsukinoyo were all sipping tea. The fragrant scent of chrysanthemums seeped out of the teapot, thin spidery wisps of smoke floating into nothingness.
Tae and Misao were sitting, their heads propped up on their hands.
They were all waiting for the inevitable.
The shoji door slid open with a snap, a timid maid stepping in, bowing her head in deference to the higher-ranking women inside.
"It is time."
Kaoru got up, drawing in a breath as she stood. As she followed the maid, she noted with vague interest that the snap of a shoji door closing sounded almost identical to the snap of a sword being sheathed.
Tae stood and followed Kaoru out, followed by Inoe, Nari, and Tsukinoyo, and Misao and Megumi bringing up the rear.
Marriage…Lady Himura Kenshin…His.
Kaoru walked slowly down the hallway with the dignified steps of someone who knows who they are.
Take small steps, but not too small.
Make them wait, but not too long.
Be yourself, but only the part that is a princess.
Good, you're well on your way.
---
Kenshin waited in the marriage room, a small space that had been blessed and prepared for the joining of two people.
The room was as fine as the rest of his estate, fine wooden tatami on the floors, black lacquered wood, and those minute intricacies that spoke of real wealth.
He gazed at the two sets of white porcelain cups, key instruments in binding him to one person for the rest of his life.
Flashback
"These are for you, baka deshi," said Hiko, handing Kenshin a rosewood box inlaid with a little scene of flying cranes and dragons.
"What is this, shishou?"
Hiko remained silent, motioning for the boy to open the box.
Kenshin opened the box, revealing a bed of fine black silk with gold detailing cushioning six white porcelain cups, each depicting a watermarked mountain scene.
"You got me cups?" said Kenshin.
Hiko's expression darkened.
"Uh…they're really nice cups?"
Hiko cuffed Kenshin on the back of his head.
"You baka deshi, those are to be your marriage cups. I made them so that I can make sure I can rid myself of you," said Hiko.
"Get rid of me?" said Kenshin.
"Am I to take care of you forever?" replied Hiko.
Kenshin looked at the floor.
"I don't know, shishou."
Hiko scoffed. "Well, no matter. Put them away, I guess I'll just have to deal with you forever. What woman would want to bind themselves to you for life anyway."
Hiko was silent for a moment. "Well, at least while I'm still available."
Kenshin stayed still.
Hiko cuffed him on the back of his head again, almost sending the boy sprawling.
"Get a move on, you can't just stand here all day! Go put them away and get your sword, we're training," said Hiko, his white cape fanning out behind him as he swept out of the room.
Kenshin looked at the cups for one last moment, then shut the top, encasing the cups in their cage of black silk.
End FlashbackHe almost reached out to touch them, remembering vividly the last time he had picked them up.
"Baka deshi! What are you doing? You can't touch those yet," said Hiko, sweeping into the small room.
Kenshin's hand drew back as if burned, and he quickly got up from his kneeling position, facing his master.
Hiko appraised Kenshin, looking him up and down.
"You clean up nicely, baka deshi," commented Hiko.
Kenshin was in a black gi, the collar embroidered with an intricate gold patterning. The fabric was otherwise plain, and he also wore a plain white hakama. The dark red fall of his hair was secured in a high ponytail, his eyes standing out in gold that matched the embroidery.
"But you still can't eclipse your shishou, huh?" continued Hiko.
They stood there, two masters, two warriors, and a father and son.
"Well, don't stand there all day, the ceremony will be soon," said Hiko.
This time, both sat, waiting for the rest of the procession.
---
A finely dressed woman walked slowly into the small room, followed by six other women, obviously relatives.
A man kneeled next to six white porcelain cups, to the right of a priest.
The woman walked up to the left of the priest, kneeling down gracefully.
The two made a striking pair, done up in dark red, gold, and black.
The atmosphere was unexpectedly solemn, the ceremony beginning and everyone in the room silent.
The priest motioned for the two to drink from the first set of cups. They both picked up the first cups in the row, reaching out there arms and entwining them together, their bodies forced closer together while they both swallowed the drink, the priest reciting the vows that they were taking, the sake solidifying the promise.
Respect, said the priest, is fundamental in marriage, and with this sake, you do promise to respect each other, as long as you both live.
The two picked up the second set of cups, raising them to their lips in the same way.
Honor, said the priest, is key in the longevity of a marriage, and with this sake, you do promise to honor each other, as long as you both live.
They picked up the third set of cups, entwining their arms for the last time.
Love, said the priest, is the life of the marriage, and without it, it will wither. With this sake, you do promise to love each other, as long as you both live.
Gold and dark blue eyes met, locking gazes as they downed their last cup of sake.
You are now bonded for life, said the priest. May you both live long lives, and may fertility and happiness follow you.
The priest stood, walking out of the room, followed by the two just married, and the rest of the procession following.
---
A raucous party followed the otherwise solemn ceremony.
The entire estate was gathered in the large center courtyard, drinks and food flowing freely to the staff and the nobles alike.
Soujirou, Aoshi, Hiko, Souzou and Kenshin were all sitting at one table.
Sano had been sitting with them, but due to hazard of flying food, had been kicked out, and was now in his own war zone, no one daring to go close, Kami-sama forbid if you get hit.
At another table adjacent to the men's table, sat Kaoru, Misao, Megumi, Inoe, Nari, Tsukinoyo, and Tae.
If you couldn't feel the tension radiating between the two tables, you were either stupid…or really stupid.
Kenshin narrowed his gold eyes, annoyed by his own lack of action, and further annoyed that he couldn't place the blame on anyone other than himself.
Finally, he got up, and walked silently over to the adjacent table, coming up behind Kaoru and placing his hands on her shoulders.
Kaoru stiffened, and her head whipped around to see who it was.
"Kenshin," she said.
"Would you like to dance?" said Kenshin. He swept her to her feet before she could answer, and the two glided over to the dance floor, their movements only somewhat impeded by Kaoru's restrictive kimono.
"How are you adjusting to the married life?" said Kaoru jokingly.
"It suits me," said Kenshin, "but I can only imagine it getting better later."
"Do you?" said Kaoru. "How?"
Kenshin's eyes widened, his smile coming into place as he realized the true extent of her innocence.
No one has ever touched her before…good. She's mine, and no one else is allowed to touch my property.
Kenshin felt a surge of possessiveness, his hands clutching Kaoru closer to him.
"You'll see, love."
---
Hiko had long had enough of this manly bonding shit that they were now attempting a lame impression of. He had already completed number two on his list, which consisted of drinking numerous cups of sake.
He set down his cup, and stood, stopping momentarily to scoff in the general direction of the table, and walked over to the table where his wife was sitting, which currently looked just as inactive as his own table.
Tae's quick brown eyes caught her husband's movements, the coffee color brightening.
"Care to dance?" rumbled Hiko.
"Hmm…," began Tae, propping her head up on her hand as she pretended to think hard about the situation.
"I'm not so sure. What'll you give me?" said Tae, her eyes sparkling.
Hiko bent down, whispering in her ear, the other girls' ninja hearing not even picking anything up.
Tae smirked.
"Are you sure I can't just get that from someone else?"
Hiko growled low in his throat.
"Not as high quality, dear," growled Hiko.
Tae laughed, then stood, holding her hand out to her husband.
"If you say so."
---
Soujirou was getting a little tired of the tension. While sitting here and drinking many cups of tea was very relaxing and all…he had never really been one for meditation. He left that one up to Aoshi.
He counted off what he could possibly be doing in his head.
Training.
Sleeping.
…
So that was it. Sue him. He glanced over to the other table, which at the moment was just as comatose as his own table, and slumped down on the table, resigned to sit out the rest of the wedding and maybe catch up on some lost sleep.
Damn it. The thought came suddenly and swiftly.
He hadn't been drinking cups of decaffeinated tea had he…
---
He was getting so bored.
It was a little ridiculous. He was starting to wonder what Kenshin and Kaoru would do to him should he blow off the rest of their wedding.
On the other hand, maybe he didn't.
He glanced over at the opposite table which currently held practically all the ladies he associated with.
Of course, he realized just then that all of this was really self-inflicted, he could just get up…
Souzou glanced around the courtyard, his eyes landing on a certain disgraceful sight.
Huh, well at least Sano was having fun.
---
Aoshi loved meditation. He really did. He thought it was the most relaxing thing you could immerse yourself in. Of course, there's always that saying 'too much of a good thing.' Which happened to apply just now.
If he drank another cup of tea, he thought his bladder was going to burst. His was an unfortunate situation, for sure.
He looked vaguely in the direction of the girls' table, contemplating if he should go ask one to dance.
Inoe?
Too burdened for him.
Nari?
Nope.
Tsukinoyo?
He'd honestly rather not.
Misao?
Aoshi almost broke out into laughter.
He wasn't suicidal, last time he checked.
Megumi?
Hmm….possibility.
The lady doctor was an intelligent woman, no matter how much her behavior pointed in the other direction at times. She was also conniving, and very cynical, which made for rather lively conversation.
Aoshi frowned, seriously considering asking to lady sensei to dance.
He looked around him, seeing the slumping figures that surrounded him.
Oh screw it.
---
Soujirou and Souzou watched in confusion as the stoic Oniwabanshuu leader got up and strode over to the girls' table. Their mouths dropped open as they saw Aoshi tap Megumi's shoulder, and very politely, offered her a dance.
The two heard loud choking noises behind them when Megumi accepted and stood, taking the proffered hand.
The choking noises continued as the two watched the unlikely couple begin to dance, a low conversation passing between them.
Soujirou got over his surprise and ran over to Sano, pounding hard on his back, the choking man finally regaining his ability to breathe.
---
The night slowly wound to an end, people slipping out of the party and offering good wishes to the married couple, and servants began cleaning up the mess, hauling tables back in, and wrapping up food to be taken to the nearest village so as not to be wasted.
Hiko and Tae were among the first of the group to go, Hiko offering gruff good wishes and a lewd comment, Tae frowning deeply while she too offered her congratulations and good luck.
The white caped man walked off, lifting his wife off her feet when he saw the fatigue on her face.
Sano left too, when he saw that there was no more food to be given to him, and getting up with some difficulty, walked off to his room, presumably to sleep off the pounds and drunkenness.
Aoshi and Megumi came and offered their good wishes next, even though Megumi couldn't help but drop a snide comment, Kenshin calmly restraining his wife while he politely refused Megumi's offer, saying he 'liked very much what he had, arigatou gozaimasu, but no thanks.'
Inoe and Tsukinoyo offered their warm congratulations, though the former avoided eye contact with the new wife, and the two walked off their separate ways to tend to business before they went to sleep.
Souzou had half-carried Nari over to say goodnight, partly because she wouldn't allow herself to be fully carried. Finally, she had succumbed to his pleas not long after she had sleepily congratulated the newlyweds. He walked out with her in his arms, thanking kami he knew where her room was.
Misao was entirely asleep, Soujirou bringing her sleeping body with them as he bid them goodnight, and said very cheerfully that Misao-san wished the same, and had told him so before she had taken an impromptu nap.
---
Kaoru was still crackling with energy as she received good nights and good wishes from everyone, her mind keeping her awake.
When the last well-wisher came, she still had her smile in place, offering the right words to everyone.
"Go to our room, I'll be there in a minute or two."
Kaoru nodded mechanically, getting up and walking up to their room.
Our room. Kenshin and I. She sat down in front of a mirror, taking down the intricate patterns and ornaments that had been so painstakingly put in. She brushed out her long hair, carefully undoing her obi and kimono and putting them in the closet, putting on a comfortable white sleeping yukata.
A low noise alerted Kaoru to Kenshin's presence, her hand abruptly stopping its path through her hair.
Kenshin continued walking in, and soon after, Kaoru heard the sounds of fabric rustling and the crisp noise of sheets being turned down.
Deciding to speed up the inevitable, she stood, walking over to the bed.
Kenshin's gold eyes burned into her, and she nervously sat on the bed, tucking herself under the sheets.
She heard the rustle of sheets as Kenshin slid in next to her, his arms snaking around her waist and turning her to face him.
His eyes met hers and he lowered his mouth onto hers, his tongue sliding against the outline of her lips, drawing a light moan from her.
His tongue pushed more insistently on her lips, demanding entrance, and she opened her mouth, his tongue sliding up against hers.
A few moments later, he stopped, pressing a light kiss to her mouth before pulling away completely.
"We don't have to until you're ready. You have nothing to be afraid of, I wouldn't force a woman," said Kenshin, his eyes meeting her gaze squarely.
Kaoru swallowed, her mouth still tasting like Kenshin, and nodded, her eyes relieved but a little regretful.
She laid back down, wrapping the sheets around her.
She gasped in surprise when she felt strong arms closing around her waist again, spooning her against a hard, male chest.
"I would much prefer sleeping like this, wouldn't you?"
Kaoru didn't bother to answer the rhetorical question, the warmth radiating off his body seeping into her.
She was drifting off to sleep when she heard a voice.
"Oyasumi nasai, koishii."
Whether she heard it or dreamed it, she smiled softly all the same, drifting off to sleep.
Chapter 7! Sorry to everyone who read Romancing the Stone, but I updated this first. I can't seem to get out Chapter 7 for that story…Hope you all enjoy, and leave me a review! Sorry for not individually replying, but the schoolwork is killing me!
Thanks to:
royal blueKitsune
Binding with Briars my Joys and Desires
simplee sweet
tkdl
sexylucifer
k.k
kimahrigirl
battosaichick-
Reignashii
sulou
Dekai
JohnnynotSid
guynh2
anonymous
critique
MuSiCaDdIcT RYE
