Ryoutou
Disclaimer: Finally a complete disclaimer on all crossover animes. I don't own Ranma½ or Sakura Taisen or Love Hina or Rurouni Kenshin (or a little bit of Sailor Moon or CCS)! I wish I did so I could finally skip this part.
AN: Take note that the author was severely influence by the card game Legend of the Five Rings, where the clan structure is composed of not one family but of several families owing allegiance to the dominant family. So in this case, the Himura Clan is lead by, none other than the Himura Family. The Tendo, Hibiki, and Kuonji Families are all subset families within the Himura Clan. Though each family retains their own daimyo (or family head) these daimyos owed their allegiance to the Himura daimyo.
Book of Water
Chapter 4: Giri
Version 1.1
--- Aoyama Estate ---
An elder woman, one could place at around 30 or so, stood by the gates smiling warmly at the girl who was nervously approaching her. (So she's not entirely elderly so sue me! Wait I take that back! Don't sue I'm too poor to give you anything!) When the girl stopped in front of her she gave her a soft embrace. "Welcome home, Motoko-chan."
The girl moved away from the hug, placed down her suitcase and bowed in respect, "Hai, it's good to see you too, sister."
"Come, mother is waiting Motoko-chan. And she's eager to see you again since she didn't get a chance last time you were here in Kyoto. Oh, before I forget, we have about a week to prepare for the ceremony at the Himura Estates."
"I thought I had only a days worth to prepare?" Motoko asked as she hefted her suitcase again as she followed her sister as they enter their ancestral home.
(AN: Thanks glazedlookineyes101 and dennisud for telling me the name of Motoko's sister.)
Tsuruko turned to face Motoko with that smile of hers, making Motoko somewhat uneasy. "We received a letter from Himura-sama just a while ago. It seems they'll be moving the match make for about a week's time to give time for the Shingujis to come to Kyoto."
"The Shingujis? Pardon me for asking sister, but why? It's not like they are needed in the ceremony…"
"On contraire, my dear sister. They are very much a part of it as we are. You see, you're not the only one arranged to marry Himura-sama. The Himura Family had also made arrangements with the Shinguji Family."
Motoko was stumped, "You mean…"
"Himura-sama is to choose from our two families on who is to be his bride. And mother wants you to be the one that Himura-sama will choose."
If Motoko ever felt any pressure from this matchmaking, she was feeling it now. "I…"
Tsuruko noticed Motoko's nervous expression. "Don't worry about it too much, Motoko-chan. Mother and I will be teaching you the proper etiquettes and we'll have you ready in a week's time. And of course, we'll have the tailor make you a new formal kimono. I'm sure you'll leave Himura-sama speechless when he meets you."
Motoko groaned. 'I'm doomed!'
Ignoring her sister's look of anguished shock Tsuruko continued, "Although I must admit that the Shingujis will be hard competition. Since they too, have a long history of battling demons in their heritage. The Haja line is not something to take lightly. But I'm sure that if there is any family that can compete against that, that is our Shinmei Ryuu." Tsuruko proudly states, but the effect on Motoko was the reverse of what she intended and instead of encouragement, it made Motoko felt the pressure even more.
'That's it! I'm so doomed! Mother and sister won't let me live it down if I don't get picked! And the only one I have for experience/reference is Keitaro!' Motoko felt that world finally crumbled on top of her.
"Come now Motoko, it's time for you to meet mother and the family elders."
Motoko's shoulders slumped in resignation, 'I can only hope for a miracle now.'
--- Shinguji Estate ---
"Welcome home, Sakura-sama." Goro greeted her mistress, as he helps her with her luggage.
"Thank you Goro. It's good to be home again." Sakura returned. "Are mother and grandmother inside the family room?"
"Yes they are, milady. They are waiting for your arrival it seems. I'll take your luggage to you room, you best hurry and meet with them, young mistress."
"I see, sorry for the trouble Goro." Sakura said as she hurries inside.
Goro shook his head slightly, "I shall wish of you the best of luck, young mistress."
---
"Welcome home, Sakura-chan." Sakura's mother greeted in a slight bow, to the girl that has just entered the family room.
"It's good to be home mother." Sakura replied by bowing slightly as well before her mother. "It's good to see you too, grandmother." She also bowed to her grandmother seated next to her mother.
"I must cut to the point Sakura-chan. Tomorrow noon we'll be leaving for Kyoto. I know you have just barely arrived but we must make use of any time we have wisely. I have made some arrangements, and we'll be able to stay at the place of a close friend of mine." Sakura's mother stated. (AN: Though glazedlookineyes101 told me her name is Wakana, I'll keep her name as Tomoyo just to maintain humor.)
"I know that the ceremony is at Kyoto but why rush mother, we can probably go there the day after tomorrow?"
"Have you heard of the Aoyama Family, Sakura-chan?" Her grandmother asked her.
Sakura placed a finger on her cheek, "Umm, they're one of the few families that have a long line of demon hunters much like our own. Their Shinmei is said to rival our Haja in more ways than one."
Tomoyo nodded, "Correct Sakura-chan. Did you know that the match make is not only between the Himura and Shinguji but extends to the Aoyama as well?"
Sakura was startled at that, "You mean to say that Himura-sama is to choose the bride from…between two families?" Sakura saw the nod of both her mother and grandmother.
Her grandmother then continued, "Yes Sakura-chan, so we need to prepare you thoroughly. The Aoyama is not to be taken likely. I have heard that the heir to the Shinmei Ryuu is a very good swordswoman herself and managed to tame the cursed sword Hina. We cannot allow this chance to slip by us. You must be the one to be chosen by Himura-sama."
Sakura sighed; her grandmother has been rather feisty lately that she should get married. The fact that this match make would include the Himura Clan was of course a great boon. No other family has been favored so much by the imperial family as the Himuras were. "I understand grandmother."
Tomoyo then pulled out a gorgeous kimono, "Oh-hoho. I'm sure Himura-sama would hardly resist you when he sees you in this fabulous dress I sewn!" (Now doesn't that sound familiar? Tomoyo making dresses for Sakura?)
Sakura blinked then blushed at her mother's antics. "MOTHER!"
--- Himura Estate ---
"Can you believe it Ryouga? They never even told me once that I was engaged these passed twelve years!"
Ryouga couldn't help but chuckle at the expense of his friend, "It's hard not to imagine, Ranma. After all, it's normal for a clan like ours to engage their heir at an early age to ensure the continued legacy of the family. Be glad you weren't engaged to some family like the Kunos." Ryouga said as his left hand idly plays with the blue talisman dangling around his neck. It was made from a fragment of sealing stone and was to counter-act his directional curse. Something he was very thankful to the Himuras for.
Ranma shriveled at mention of the name, "Don't remind me of that Ryouga. I think I can still hear that demented woman's laugh!"
"Even beyond the grave I guess she's still chasing after you!" Ryouga fell laughing at thought of Kodachi hunting Ranma.
"Har, har. It isn't funny. That psychedelic still gives me nightmares up until now." Ranma then sighed, "Its not that I don't want to marry…I just wished they have let me choose my own fiancée, without all these arrangements and family honor and stuff."
Ryouga composed himself. He could only agree, "I'm really sorry about that Ranma. But I guess it comes with the territory, you know. Being heir and all. But I think you should give your mother and grandparents more credit. They are doing this for your sake and the clan's as well."
"Yeah, I guess your right about that….but still…anyway how's you relationship with the Unryuu girl doing?" Ranma asked, trying to find something more cheerful to talk about.
"Akari-san? It couldn't have been better." Ryouga replied with a bright smile. "I guess being a member of the Himura Clan helped a lot when she introduced me to her parents. They were practically ready to throw a wedding right there." Ryouga gave a sheepish laugh, "Though I must admit. I'm not ready for marriage yet. And Akari-san agrees with me. We'll take it nice and slow and get to know each other more. Overtime who knows?"
"You're lucky you know? When you marry it will be because of love." Ranma sighed again, looking more depressed.
Ryouga gave his friend a soft pat at the back, "You can never know Ranma, who knows you might fell head-over-heels for one of those girls." Ryouga then snickered, "And if your mother has anything to do with it, you might end up with both those girls!"
"Argh! Not funny!"
"Wow, Ranchan is sure is in such HIGH spirits today, ain't he?" Ukyou sarcastically quipped as she and Akane approached their two friends. "Is something wrong sugar?"
Ranma, gloomily, he answered, "Just found out last night from my family, that I have been engage since I was five to either the heir of the Haja Ryuu or the Shinmei Ryuu."
Akane gave a low whistle, "Wow. Sounds something like what your old man would have done."
Ranma grunted a nod, "Actually, he was the one that engaged me to them. Although mother and grandfather never retracted those engagements like they did with the others."
Ukyou nodded in understanding, "Who would sugar? After all both the Shinguji and Aoyama families are famous in their own right. And I distinctly recall that the Aoyama provided some help during the Kuno Wars, but I can't exactly recall what it was. Anyways, when do we expect them to arrive for the matchmaking ceremony?"
"In about one week's time, I guess." Ranma began walking towards the family dojo, with his friends/yojimbo in tow.
"One week? The Aoyama just live across Kyoto. They'll be here by sundown if they left this morning." Akane supplied.
"I know, but grandfather sent them a letter asking them to come a week later. He said it was to give the Shinguji an equal footing…whatever he meant by that." Ranma answered.
"I see. It's meant for you not to favor Aoyama-san, because if she came here earlier you'll get to know her more. Much more so than Shinguji-san." Ryouga concluded, as opened the door to the dojo to let the others in first. "And you might make a bias decision regarding who to pick as fiancée."
"Never thought of that, though." Ranma shrugged as he picked-up a bokken. "So who's in the mood for some sparring? I need to get this frustration off my system."
The three friends gave each other a slight nervous look. Ranma venting out frustration is not the type of person you would like as a sparring partner.
"How about I take you three on at the same time?" He asked, while going into an advance, very advance attack stance.
That question/statement basically crushed their ideas of getting out of this predicament. Man or woman, Ranma never gave any quarter when it came to training or real combat. (That is the effect of training under Yahiko and Nodoka.)
"I get the feeling we'll be in for a world of hurt." Ryouga said, deadpanned. Ukyou and Akane grunted as well as the three went to up their own training bokken.
--- Aoyama Estate, three days later ---
"No, no Motoko-chan. Walk LIKE this." Tsuruko stopped Motoko from her walk and provided another demonstration of the elegant way to walk.
A slight protest, "But that's the way I was walking!"
"No dear sister, you walked like this." This time Tsuruko walked in a dignified stance of a warrior. "Our goal Motoko-chan is to impressed Himura-sama, not intimidate him. Now again."
"Yes sister…"
"Excuse me, dear sisters."
Tsuruko turned to see the new comer, a girl with also long black hair and wearing the same formal Shinto dress as they were. "Ah, Rei-chan. What is it?"
Rei pulled out a white kimono from the box she was carrying, "The new kimono you have requested is here."
"Ah good timing. Motoko-chan I want you to practice your walk while wearing the kimono. It will help you get use to it so that you won't feel awkward when the ceremony is finally here."
'Ack! That's the third kimono mom has ordered tailored for me! I think I'm the only girl in the world that must hate kimonos by now!'
--- Daidouji Inn, Kyoto ---
"ACHOO!"
"Bless you dear! Now try this pink one Sakura-chan." Tomoyo said picking up a beautiful pink kimono, embroidered with the emblem of the Shinguji Family.
"It's beautiful mother but that's the eleventh kimono I have tried today." Sakura said as she straightened out her current light lavender kimono her mother made her try on earlier. A pile of kimonos can also be seen near where Sakura was standing.
"There's nothing wrong in trying it. My you look lovely in that too!" Tomoyo said as she studied her blushing daughter. This is one of those times Sakura wished she could hide beneath a rock. Her mother can be too much to handle when she goes into kawaii-mode.
"Sumimasen, Shinguji-sama." A young blonde maid said as she entered the room holding several boxes. "These packages just arrived."
Tomoyo waved over to where other boxes lay, "Place them there, Minako-chan. I'll have Sakura-chan try them as soon as puts on this pink kimono."
Sakura sighed, 'I'm REALLY starting to dislike kimonos!'
"And after this, we'll visit Makoto-chan for your etiquette lessons."
Another sigh, "Yes mother."
--- Fast forward to the day of reckoning, Himura Estate ---
As mentioned, Sakura and Motoko basically went on a crash course on proper etiquettes for the upcoming matchmaking ceremony. Though Sakura was already very knowledgeable and knows how to act accordingly, her grandmother had insisted that she take the refresher course. Motoko on the other hand proved to be quite a challenge.
---
Tendo Kasumi, elder sister of Akane and known as the Elegant Crane for her grace in wielding a katana, opened the gates for the Shinguji Entourage. "Welcome Shinguji Tomoyo-sama, Shinguji Sakura-sama." She said while bowing graciously to their guests. "Milady Hotaru and Nodoka await you at the Himura Family Room. Please follow me."
Tomoyo nodded in courtesy, "Thank you, kindly Miss…."
"Kasumi. Tendo Kasumi. But please call me Kasumi." She said with a warm smile that made Sakura and Tomoyo feel lighthearted. Kasumi motioned for the 'female' ninja standing besides her. "And this is the leader of Kuonji's Red Ninjas, Kuonji Konatsu."
"Please to meet your acquaintance." Konatsu bowed.
"Pleasure is ours, Kuonji-san." Sakura and Tomoyo said at the same time. (Konatsu is very much male but still wears female clothing. No, he's not married to Ukyou, but was adopted into the Kuonji Family after rescuing him/her from the hands of the Kuno's Shadow Ninja. But he still has a big crush on Ukyou.)
"Konatsu, please escort the Shinguji's attendants to where they will be staying so they can unpack."
"Of course, milady. If the two ladies would follow me, right this way." Konatsu motioned for towards the guest's house just across the house proper.
"We'll meet with you two later Minako-chan, Makoto-chan. Come, now Sakura its best we don't make our hosts waiting."
"Yes mother."
Kasumi gave a small glance towards the gate and saw Nabiki greet the Aoyamas.
---
"Welcome, Aoyama Tsuruko-san, Aoyama Rei-san, and Aoyama Motoko-san." Nabiki greeted the three swordswomen, though the third was wearing a formal kimono and her sword was currently being held by her eldest sister. "We have been expecting you. I am Tendo Nabiki and I will be your escort. Do you wish to see milady Hotaru and Nodoka immediately or do you wish settle down first at the guest house?"
Tsuruko nodded to Rei, "Motoko and I would like to meet with your mistresses now, if we may. And my sister, Rei, will get our things settled at the guest rooms."
Nabiki acknowledge the request with a nod and motions to another 'female' ninja, "Tsubasa-chan, please direct Aoyama-san to the guest room. I'll be escorting the others to meet with Himura-sama." (Tsubasa will follow the same conditions as Konatsu, and is a member of the Red Ninjas)
Tsubasa nodded, "This way please."
"Come now Motoko, and stop fidgeting." Tsuruko mildly scolded.
Nabiki gave an offshoot glance at the said girl and gave a small laugh, "Nervous? Aoyama-san?"
Motoko nodded, "I am a little." She was still fidgeting with her kimono. She had been so used to wearing a samurai's hakama that she could barely walk in a kimono. Thankfully her sister's training helped, but she still was having difficulty in walking in the overtly tight clothing.
"It's a normal feeling Aoyama-san. Shinguji-san was also nervous when I saw her walk in the estate grounds." Nabiki said as she guided the two towards the place where Kasumi had led the Shingujis earlier.
Tsuruko nodded, "So the Shingujis are in audience with Himura-sama now?"
"Just with milady Hotaru and Nodoka. Kenji-sama and Yahiko-sama are giving last minute instructions to Ranma-sama." Nabiki answered.
They entered the house, and proceeded towards the family room. They spotted a samurai-ko kneeling besides the sliding door. "Welcome, Aoyama-sama. The others are already inside, please do come in." Kasumi said as she opened the sliding door and bowed to their guest. Nabiki took the other side, and bowed as well.
Tsuruko took the invitation as she and Motoko walked in. Once the two were inside, Kasumi closed the door after them.
"And so it begins nee-chan." Nabiki said from her sitting position.
"So it does, Nabiki. I hope things work out right, if not for Ranma-sama's sake."
Nabiki could only agree.
AN: Next chapter, boy meets girls.
AN: Title translates into "Sense of Duty/Honor" or "Obligations"
To dennisud: Thanks for the compliment, I do try to make original crossovers. Oh and to answer your question, the setting is around the early 1900's of the Taisho Era.
To LeRoy: Thanks for the pre-reading and suggestions man!