Summary: Drabbles from the Love, Lies and Empire universe. All characters. Situations and events referred to in the main story. Read n Review.
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. It is the creative work of Watsuki Nobuhiro.
Rating: T
Annals of Empire
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Drabble 14: Nakama
Nobody had asked Kamatari to assume the role of fight-instructor for the young princess. It was something he had decided himself and sadly for Tae, the king did not object. There was no one in the palace that could resist Kamatari's charming argument in favour of teaching Kaoru the fine details of swordsmanship in a far more practical and vigorous manner than what had been prescribed by the book of rules.
So Kaoru had her lessons with Tae after breakfast where she learnt to be soft-spoken and gentle, learnt how to fold her hands properly on her lap when seated and to carry her shoulders straight when she walked, as befitting a lady of her station and retired to the dojo for her lesson with Kamatari where she learnt diplomacy, diction and the glib art of insulting people in such a manner that they hoped the earth would swallow them whole from Kamatari. In the fight between the delicacy hammered into her by Tae and the mischievous frivolity prescribed by Kamatari, frivolity often won.
"For example," said Kamatari as a wide-eyed Kaoru and silent Soujirou looked on, "for example, there is absolutely nothing wrong with telling your general that he is being an ass, mind, this conversation should take place only in private. You don't want to be saddled with a mutiny just because you ruffled some windbag in public." Both the children nodded eagerly. Kamatari beamed at them and leaned forward to pat their heads.
Nobody had asked Kamatari to involve Soujirou in lessons with his niece. Nobody expected him to even acknowledge the miserable orphan picked up by the king but he did. When he was first brought to the palace, Kamatari had been extremely curious about the boy. He watched in amazement as Shishio handpicked a sword for him and began to teach him how to fight. Kamatari was of the same mind as Shishio when he saw the potential for something amazing in the boy's eyes. But where Shishio looked at Soujirou and found the perfect student, Kamatari looked at him and found a brother for Kaoru.
He dragged him along to every lesson thereafter. He understood that it wasn't enough to have someone to care about you. If you didn't have anyone else to care for, life was useless. As long as they were together, Soujirou and Kaoru would lean on each other and stave away the loneliness of not having a sibling.
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"I won't go! I don't want to have tea with them if they won't have Soujirou." Kaoru replied. Tae's forehead crumpled in frustration and irritation.
"Lady Kaoru," Tae said. Kaoru raised an eyebrow slightly. Tae was angry; she hardly ever called her 'Lady Kaoru' but when she did, it meant she was annoyed.
Kaoru smiled at her sweetly. "Yes?"
"You are going to accept that invitation and you are going to do so graciously. Whether or not Soujirou accompanies you is irrelevant."
Kaoru frowned. "I know from all the gossip that it isn't a gathering meant only for ladies. Seiko told me she is taking her brother along. Why can't I take mine?"
"He's not nobility."
"He is, for me."
Eventually Kaoru went alone, not for Tae or the sanctity of the hierarchy at the palace but because Soujirou insisted she go after what he termed a silly temper tantrum about not being allowed to take him to a place that wouldn't be much fun anyway. She returned at evening, dressed elegantly.
Soujirou was waiting for her on the steps to her palace. He smiled as she stepped off the palanquin. She waved at him and briskly walked over. He took her hand in his, giving her support as she hitched her kimono up a miniscule inch to climb the steps.
"You're doing it again." He whispered cautiously.
Kaoru kept her eyes straight. "Doing what again?"
Soujirou stared ahead and mumbled out of the corner of his mouth. "They probably noticed what you just did and it's going to be reported to Tae, and then you'll have to listen to another long lecture. Why can't you just pretend to be ladylike and not rush about so? Use the ramp to walk up here and stop taking to the steps all the time."
Kaoru smiled. "Are you worried about me?"
Soujirou replied. "How can I not be worried? You can be so childish sometimes. Things like these give rise to gossip. You should be careful."
Kaoru stopped. Placing her hand on Soujirou's shoulder, she turned him so he faced her. "Soujirou, this entire idea of men doing things one way and women doing it in another is simply nonsense. If I have to climb a step, I will climb it even if it means that I have to lift my hem one tiny inch. Walking all the way round the palace to get to the ramp is just silly. Besides, being ladylike only counts where it's actually required."
Soujirou blushed. "You shouldn't be talking like that, Kaoru. It's ….it's not decent."
"Sometimes, I think we should be switched. You'd be the perfect student for Tae."
"Oh be quiet."
"But you do have a point. I am rather scandalous, aren't I?"
Soujirou didn't bat an eyelid. "You don't have worry about a thing. I'm here. I'll handle any trouble that comes your way."
"Soujirou…"
"Because I know you'd do the same for me. We're nakama, aren't we?"
"Yes, we are." She replied.
Soujirou glanced at her and felt the corners of his mouth rise of their own accord. He stopped. Kaoru kept walking. He smiled again.
Author's Note
Apologies for taking so long with updates. I'll be writing a few more drabbles, as that's all the time I seem to be scrounging up lately. If anybody has a request for a drabble, message me or leave me a line in your review!
Shukran