Author's Notes: Happy Friday! And now I start with the OC's. I had originally tried to fit as many Ruroken characters in to the role of the Musgroves but it just wasn't working. So I threw that out, and created some original characters to fill in the roles of Mary Musgrove and Louisa Musgrove. Honestly these two have been fun to write and when I even want to ring Sayuri's neck sometimes, well I hope it goes over well. It's a longer chapter and don't worry, the even longer chapters are coming. Hope you all enjoy! I'm appreciating the feedback.

Beta: Sumiregusa (honestly, I wouldn't be doing this without her, thanks!)
Rating: T
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is owned by Nobuhiro Watsuki. Persuasion is in the public domain, but was written by Jane Austen.

Chapter 3

Though better endowed than the elder sister,
Mary had not Anne's understanding nor temper. While well, and happy,
and properly attended to, she had great good humour and excellent spirits;
but any indisposition sunk her completely. She had no resources
for solitude; and inheriting a considerable share of the Elliot
self-importance, was very prone to add to every other distress
that of fancying herself neglected and ill-used. - Persuasion, Jane Austen

Tokyo (formerly Edo), 1872

"Hello?" Kaoru called as she walked into the courtyard at the Maekawa-dojo.

"Kaoru?" a muffled voice called out. One of the shoji doors cracked open. "Are you finally here?"

Kaoru smiled and walked across the yard. She stepped out of her geta and up onto engawa, opening the shoji so she could see the person behind the door. Sayuri raised a hand to block out the sunlight. She was laying on a futon, fanning herself with the other hand.

"Hello Sayuri." Kaoru stepped in to the room and closed the shoji door. The room was dark, the windows covered to try to block out the light.

"It is too hot," Sayuri complained, not even bothering to greet her friend. "How can you stand to be out in this heat."

"I don't mind it," Kaoru knelt down next to the futon. "There is actually a nice breeze outside and it's cooler than this room."

"But it's too bright out." A pretty pout crossed Sayuri's face. She pushed herself up on her elbows and looked at Kaoru. "Maekawa was expecting you this morning. What took you so long?"

"I told him we would be by this afternoon at the latest." Kaoru tugged on Sayuri's sleeve. "Come let's go sit outside where it's cool." Kaoru usually had endless patience for Sayuri's antics but after leaving the dojo today she didn't really feel like dealing with them. Fortunately Sayuri sat up and fixed the wrinkles in her kimono.

"I guess getting some fresh air will probably help my headache. The medicine Dr. Genzai gave me didn't help." Kaoru just nodded and led her friend out of the stifling room. It was cooler outside and in the distance Kaoru could hear a chime at the edge of the house gently swaying in the breeze. The two women sat down on a shaded portion of the engawa.

Sayuri had grown up near the Kamiya-dojo and being close in age, the two girls had played together quite often. Both girls had no other siblings and the families had raised them to consider each other as sisters. However, as they grew, differences in their upbringing and temperament of their parents became apparent. Kaoru had received a disciplined yet loving upbringing and had a level-headedness that Sayuri did not possess. Sayuri had been spoiled and been told how special she was. She expected everyone to notice and defer to her, and felt slighted when she wasn't acknowledged. She had married Maekawa's son Hiroki a few years back, with everyone agreeing that it had been an advantageous match. Sayuri had a large dowry and brought a large fortune to the Maekawa household. However, her good looks and large fortune soon weren't enough to make up for her shallow and sometimes rude behaviour towards others. Being used to it, Kaoru tolerated it, even though Maekawa was not happy about his daughter-in-law's outbursts.

"Where is Maekawa-san?" asked Kaoru, looking over the dojo grounds. The Maekawa-dojo was much larger than the Kamiya-dojo, with student quarters located just to the side of the dojo. The dojo was connected to the main house by a covered walkway.

"Hiroki had business down at the docks, and Maekawa went with him. They left me here all alone." Sayuri whined. She knelt besides Kaoru and pulled a fan out of her obi. With a quick snap, she opened he fan, trying get some relief from the early summer heat.

"What about Misao and Akiko? I thought they were staying for the summer."

"Misao will be here soon. She sent word that she would be leaving Kyoto at the end of the week." Sayuri sighed and sat back. "Akiko arrived a few days ago but is already too busy to spend time with me. She left for the market this morning and I expect she will be back for dinner." Sayuri turned towards Kaoru, regarding her carefully.

"Where is your student? The poor one you took in with no family."

"Yahiko." Kaoru corrected. Kaoru had more skill than most with dealing with her moods and insensitive comments. "He took the dojo key to Dr. Genzai."

"So it's settled then?" asked Sayuri.

"Yes," Kaoru let out a deep breath. "The dojo will have new tenants by the end of the week."

"So some government officials from Kyoto will be staying here soon?" Sayuri asked. Kaoru frowned at the thought of the ever present rumours running rampant in their neighbourhood over who exactly was renting the Kamiya-dojo.

"Dr. Genzai hasn't told me anything. Just that they wanted a large property and having a dojo was a welcome bonus."

"Well I guess we will meet them soon enough. I'm sure Maekawa will be the first to welcome them. Especially if they are important enough to help Hiroki's businesses along."

As the oldest son, Hiroki had been expected to carry on the Maekawa dojo and teaching from his father. But he had rejected this, instead investing in several small businesses that had prospered during the Meiji Restoration. Hiroki had capitalized on the rapid changes Japan was undergoing and secured his future. The businesses he oversaw supported the dojo and his family, allowing them to keep the dojo open, even though the number of students had dwindled.

The women were interrupted in their conversation by the arrival of Maekawa. The older man grinned as he stepped through the gate and saw Kaoru sitting in the shade with Sayuri.

"Kaoru!" Maekawa called as he walked over to the them. Kaoru stood up and bowed.

"Maekawa-sensei, thank you for welcoming myself and Yahiko in to your home. We will work hard to make your dojo proud." Kaoru bowed back. The older man grinned even larger.

"You don't need to be so formal Kaoru," Maekawa laughed. "We are like family now and I'm happy to have you here. I'm sure you will definitely help liven up our dull lives! And now I don't need to worry about you alone in that large dojo. I can keep an eye on you like I promised your father." Maekawa had always been protective of Kaoru, even when she was a little girl.

Kaoru blushed and thanked Maekawa again. He excused himself from the ladies and went into the house to relax before dinner.

"I guess I should go check on dinner," Sayuri sighed as she also stood up. "I had hoped Hiroki would take us out tonight to celebrate your arrival. But he said no. Honestly, we never go out anymore. I'm getting so tired of these boring walls. At least now I have you to keep me company."

"Sayuri, I hope you know that I won't have much time to sit with you. I have to spend my time teaching, if not here, than at the other dojo's around Tokyo. I have to pay down my father's debts."

"Oh shush, Kaoru," Sayuri said waving her hand as if dismissing that notion. "You'll make more money renting out your home then teaching. I'll speak with Maekawa and your student can do most of the teaching anyways. Now that you are out of that dojo and with me, I can concentrate on finding you a husband to take care of you. It's a shame you've remained this unmarried for long. If you would just let me, I could find you a husband!"

Kaoru's face paled. "I'd prefer if you wouldn't Sayuri. I'm too old now to be a wife."

"Pfft, nonsenese," Sayuri laughed. "Give me two months and you will be married."

Kaoru sighed and opened her mouth to try and convince Sayuri that she was fine without a husband and at this point didn't even want to be married anyways, but Sayuri walked away in search of the cook leaving Kaoru alone.

"Is she finally gone?" Kaoru jumped as she heard a whispered voice behind her. The shoji behind her slid open, revealing a teenage girl.

"Akiko!" Kaoru exclaimed. She stood up and embraced the other girl. "Sayuri said you were at the market."

"I was, but I returned about an hour ago," Akiko blushed as she returned Kaoru's hug. At 17 years old, she was only five years younger than Kaoru but very pretty with large dark eyes, and long black hair that she wore loose around her shoulders. "I saw you come in but I didn't want to talk to Sayuri. She's done nothing but complain since I got here!"

"I'm sure it's not that bad?" asked Kaoru. Akiko rolled her eyes.

"She's lazy. She doesn't prepare the tea. She sits in her room all day. And when she is out all she does is complain. I don't know how Uncle and Hiroki put up with her! Oh Kaoru, I much would have preferred to have you as my cousin."

"Akiko!" Kaoru said sternly. "Don't say that. I know Sayuri can be…difficult. But she is a my oldest friend!"

"I'm already tired of her," Akiko admitted, "And I've only been here a few days. At least you will be living here now. Uncle told me about what happened. I'm so sorry Kaoru. I can't imagine how hard this is on you."

Kaoru smiled at the younger womans concern. "Now that I'm here, I feel like I can finally start moving forward again."

"Good! With you staying with us, maybe Sayuri will back off on trying to find me a husband." The other girl grinned. She had obviously overheard all of Kaoru's conversation with Sayuri.

"Not you too," Kaoru groaned. "I don't need a husband. No one seems to understand that. And not like I can find one with pretty girls like you running around."

Akiko laughed. "Ha! You're still pretty Kaoru. I just wish you wouldn't wear your hair up like that." Akiko reached up and tugged on Kaoru's hair that was pulled back and confined in a tight bun. "It looks so much better like how you used to wear it."

"Ribbons are for young girls, with no cares," countered Kaoru. "I'm much too old to only be concerned with festivals and handsome business men."

"No one is ever too old for that!" declared Akiko. Kaoru couldn't help it but she laughed at Akiko's enthusiasm. Over the past few years Akiko had been staying with her Uncle during the summer. Kaoru had watched as she had grown from a shy girl to a confident young woman. Akiko knew her own mind and wasn't afraid to voice her opinion. She reminded Kaoru of a younger version of herself…

Before he had come to stay the summer.

"Did Sayuri show you your rooms?" asked Akiko, oblivious to the distressed look on Kaoru's face. "Let me take you there so you can get settled before dinner." Akiko took Kaoru's hands and pulled her towards the rooms alongside the dojo. The dojo was quite large with the training hall separate from the family home. There were student quarters off to the side where Kaoru and Yahiko would live, attached to the dojo by a covered walk. Once, all of the dojo students would stay and train at the dojo, but now only a few of them lived there. There was ample room for Kaoru and Yahiko there. They would each have a small room, and a joined sitting room where they could eat and have visitors. It was smaller then Kaoru was used to, but clean and comfortable.

Akiko left Kaoru at her room to organize her things before dinner. She had sent over a some boxes a few days ago and she spent the next hour unpacking. She set out her yukata for later and arranged the few personal items in her room. Kaoru set out the ornate mirror and lacquer box her father had given her for her birthday a few years ago. Sitting herself before her mirror, she pulled the pins out of her hair, letting it spill down over her shoulder, remembering Akiko's earlier words about her hair.

Once she had been considered a great beauty, with her long black hair and rare blue eyes. From a distance she was highly regarded by many young men in the neighbourhood and she knew that a few had inquired to her father about making her their wife. However, when they got close, they could see the deep sorrow in her eyes and soon any interest they may have seen in her beauty faded.

A few years ago, her youthful glow had faded and now she was just another unmarried woman, trying to make her way in this new age. She had resigned herself to living her life with her father and never marrying. Once that decision had been made she left behind her youthful look including her ribbons and ponytail and started to wear her hair in a more mature style.

Brushing her hair, she stopped and gathered it in her hands, pulling it up to her head in her once familiar ponytail. It did made her look younger, as the style highlighted her eyes and cheeks. Maybe I should start wearing my hair like this again, Kaoru mused. A light tapping at the doorway interrupted her thoughts.

Yes?" Kaoru called as she quickly twisted her hair back up and pinned it on top of her head.

"Maekawa-sama wanted me to let you know dinner was ready," a young girl squeaked, one of the cook's helpers. Kaoru thanked her and rose from beside her mirror, her hair now secured in place. She left the room and went to join the other members of the house for dinner.

Glossary

Engawa - refers to the typically wooden strip of flooring immediately before windows and storm shutters inside traditional Japanese rooms

Geta - traditional form of Japanese footwear that resemble both clogs and flipflops

Futon - traditional Japanese bed that consists of a thin mattress and quilted blankets and is placed on the floor

Shoji - a door, window or room divider consisting of translucent paper over a frame of wood which holds together a lattice of wood or bamboo

Yukata - a casual summer kimono usually made out of cotton worn by both men and women