EVERLASTING
By : HCK Holy Reimaund
Author's note : Story is inspired by the melancholic theme of BoA's song of the same title. Rurouni Kenshin is also owned by Nobuhiro Watsuki, Shonen Jump, and Sony Productions. But the story plot is all mine.
Uh, no special note (..") tee-hee-hee…. Now on with the story
Chapter 4 : Neglect
Kenshin sighed and enter the mansion's library where he spent most of his time nowadays. It's been a month since he married Misao. A marriage he blindly went through because of his father's wish. Given the reasons, he couldn't just say no to his father nor to Misao after he found out…
He rubbed his temples and closed his eyes. This past month had been a stressed. He always had to find reason to give Misao so they wouldn't consummate the marriage. He had been running out of one already. And his wife is already asking him the real reason why he's avoiding her in bed. Of course he would not admit the reason. When this happens he just smiled at her reassuringly enough to convince her
And then there was his brother. The last time he saw Aoshi was in the welcome-back party two months back. He wasn't really away though, he's just completely avoiding him. He could understand why. Ever since, even before Aoshi have known, he already knew that his brother cherished Misao. And just when he already mustered the courage to tell her, his father had intervened and announced their wedding
Since then Aoshi had avoided him. The mansion is big but not big enough for two people not to meet at least twice a day. Therefore he concluded that his brother really makes an effort to avoid him. Just the other day he had been closed enough to talk to Aoshi but his brother showed him just how much he's not ready to talk to him.
Flashback
He had heard someone rummaging through the books in the mansion's library in the west wing. He turned a corner and saw pile of books scattered around. He walked a little closer to finally see his brother cursing while he rearrange the books back to the shelves. He thought this might be his chance to finally talk to him. He cleared his throat to alert Aoshi of his prescience. He succeeded in doing so, he also succeeded in getting a dangerous glare from his brother.
"I was just going to take some books for my thesis, no need for you to be concerned" Aoshi stated, clearly telling him his help is not needed
He had expected it. Of course his brother is upset- no, angry with him. Aoshi had expected him to back down from the arrange marriage their father had setup. But to his brother's shock he had completely agreed to marry Misao, stealing from him the girl he loves. And what about Kaoru?
"I know you're mad, but please let me explain-" Kenshin started but was already cut off by another piercing glare from Aoshi
"I'm not asking for an explanation. Explanation is just excuses. Excuses are made to hide or to put some reason for the wrong. Explaining only admits the sin. What is done is done, no explanation can prevent the pain I'm feeling now. You of all people betrayed me!" Aoshi said and left the library, leaving the books piled up in the marble floor.
Kenshin sighed. Seems for the past month sighing is what he does the most. He badly needed to talk to his brother. His intentions is not what he thought it is. He have to find a way soon.
End of Flashback
Kenshin shoulder sagged as he think of all his current problems. Maybe his marriage really wasn't a good idea. But he could never and would never abandon Misao. Not at a time like this. But his conscience grind at him. While he succeeded in protecting Misao he also bore pain and hurt to Aoshi and his Kaoru. Thinking of Kaoru, he can't possibly associate the word 'his' with Kaoru anymore. Not after marrying her sister. But he couldn't help it.
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Kaoru blindly stare at her bedroom window. It's been a month since Kenshin and Misao got married. Ever since then, she imprisoned herself in her room, refusing to talk to anyone. Not even her parents who could even care so much about her. Their focus is always on with little Misao, forgetting that she's also their daughter. It was painful growing up that way but she couldn't bring herself to hate her parents nor her sister. But this is the end of the rope for her. Kenshin is her only salvation, without him she have nothing left.
She had her faith in Kenshin. She thought he was determined to announce to everyone of their own engagement. She expected him to fight for he, regardless if they will win the battle or not. She don't care if it will end up not to their favor but at least she wanted him to fight for her. She hadn't expected him to agree so easily. She hadn't expected him to just marry her sister and abandon her with no fight. How could he?
She let out an anguished moan. A tear slid down her porcelain cheek. What did she expect. She should be used to it by now. Ever since as a kid, she was left with no care. People around her, even her parents, could care less about her. She should expect Kenshin to be the same. After all she's nothing but a poor butler's daughter. But he did marry his sister, so why isn't she good enough? Is she really that pitiful that he will abandon his promise to her that easily?
She doesn't want to think anymore. Since then, Kenshin also made no effort to talk to her. Not that he's avoiding her, they just always miss each other. She laughed at the thought, now even the faith is assuring the distance between them.
She tried to sit up but her headache from excessive crying prevented any of her movement. Even so she made an effort to head for her mirror and look at herself. Her eyes puffy, swollen and red from crying. Her hair disheveled and her cheeks look stained. She was a horrible sight. Yet she doesn't want to make an effort to make herself up. What for? Kenshin will no longer be there to appreciate her.
"Kenshin… why? How could you just sit there and do nothing…" She thought as she throw herself on her bed and cry some more.
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He was angry and hurt. So therefore, no one should blame him for telling those words to his brother two days ago. Yet his guilt is eating him alive. Guilt from which had come from he could not pinpoint. Why would he feel guilty, he was the one betrayed. Kenshin know his feelings for Misao. He intended to tell her how he feels the very same fateful night.
How could their parents do this. He had told them that he is in-love with Misao and have a very good intention of bringing her forth as their daughter-in-law some time in the future. She is their daughter-in-law alright. Not by him but by his brother.
His anguished doubled. His own family betrayed him. Yet he couldn't runaway. He hated the feeling. He seemed gutless. As much as he would like to go, this is the only place he could run to. The very same place where his pain harbored
Aoshi focused his thought on his paper. He'll study hard and get away from him someday. And when that someday come, Kenshin will regret ever being his brother. For the betrayal he did. He's not going to be very forgiving
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Misao was walking down the path towards the kitchen where she is sure her mother and some maids would be. It's funny but she couldn't get used to those maid calling her Mistress Himura. It's too good to be true. She is a wife to Kenshin whom she had loved since she was a child.
Speaking of being a wife brought her back to why she was seeking her mother in the first place. As much as she doesn't want to admit, Kenshin had not touched her yet since they day of their wedding. She passed the thought in the first week of their marriage to give her new husband some time to adjust to their married life. He had given her reason, reasons that sound very, well, reasonable yet she couldn't understand. She thought first that her age, being only 18, is what hindering him from consummating her marriage. So she tried seducing him, but ending up looking like a fool.
And that is the reason why she's heading to her mother to get few tips to lure her husband to bed. She blushed at the thought. Flushing she hurried her way to the kitchen. Few maids greeted her on the way. Some of them are jealous, she noted. Who wouldn't be? She was able to get a good catch for a husband.
Kenshin Himura. Young, handsome, rich and intelligent. A debonair. He look good enough to eat. Of course everyone would be jealous
Her self confidence soared up. Her pride at her husband making her glow beautifully. She was proud of her husband, proud to be his wife. She just wished their marriage would be soon completed. She wanted a baby soon anyway. She trudge her way happily into the kitchen…
…then stop when she heard two people somewhat arguing. She peeked in and saw her parent's arguing. She was about to enter the kitchen when she heard her name as the source of their argument.
"You know we only do what we did for Misao's sake. Kaoru will be fine…" Her father's reassuring voice told her mother. Kaoru? What happened to her sister?
"No, she wouldn't be fine, this is killing her!" Her mom spat
"And what do you want? Are you saying that we should let Misao die unhappily?" Her father retorted. Die? What do they mean by this? She's now very confuse as she strained her head to listen more…
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Kenshin started working at his father's company. That give him enough reason to Misao not the consummate their marriage. By nightfall when he go home to their room, he was too tired to lift a finger. He was able to convince her for few nights already. He wasn't sure if she would still buy it tonight, after all Misao is a very clever girl.
He entered the mansions lobby and then stopped at his tracks. Just at the foot of the stairs stand the still most gorgeous woman he had ever seen. Clad in just a plain white dress, her eyes puffed from crying yet still to him she's a goddess. It took every restraint coming to every fiber of his body not to come to her and crushed her with embrace. To heal her pain.
"Kaoru…" he breathed her name