Chapter 1: Cruelty, Jealousy and Secrecy

Standard Disclaimers apply.

The silver sun can be seen. It is Eden's sign of completion. The days wandered by carelessly, sailing like a paper boat. Halcyon moments drifted by, leaving a whisper into history. It is at times like these that pain starts to strike.

Cruelty has a human heart…

In the back of his mind, he wanted to expose every last bit of him to her. He wanted to be unencumbered by his past and sought her further approval and comfort. He knew that she accepted - no, accepts - him already but there existed limiting factors which would shatter everything he had worked for in the past years. And for that, he would deny her the truth.

His love for her is absolute and certain; even the earth knows that. He often wonders why his anxieties chose to attack him at this early stage of their marriage, when at least the Fates would give him a break from life's pain. Part of his anxiety is the knowledge that good things don't actually happen to him, so used is he to sorrow and death. But now, life and bliss subsist in his existence. His heart constricts agonizingly every time she smiles at him. Overwhelming love and desire pump through his blood and flood his brain. With all the love, he still can't tell her now.

She is a magnificent lover, of course, considerate and passionate. Her responses to him are divine and he could ask for nothing more. Her quirkiness and modesty, her tears and laughter, her flaws and perfection, all of them are his. He is eternally thankful for that. She is his saving grace.

The golden moon has risen, taking with it the light of the sun. Soon, their friends would be back from their extended vacation and would be ravenous. The two of them had spent the afternoon shopping for food and planned to make a feast for their homecoming. For some glorious hours, he had forgotten about his agony because of her smile. It can take away his pain, it can alleviate his misery and it could give him his life, as it always does.

Bits of coarsely chopped vegetables and seemingly mutilated strips of beef welcomed his eyes. She shyly asked for help, wanting the food to be edible, if not presentable. He gallantly assured her that they looked fine and when she glared at him for not telling the truth, he swiftly amended that they would be too hungry to notice anyway. A small food scuffle ensued after that remark.

Jealousy a human face…

After several giggles and numerous kisses, the food was finally cooked to Akabeko taste standard, albeit the presentation is lacking. They set the table, cleaned the kitchen and made themselves somewhat presentable. While waiting for their friends, she gaspingly announced that she forgot to bring out the sake and would only be minute to take it out. He smiled and nodded, thinking about his good life. He sat at the porch and watched her disappear towards the kitchen when he felt a presence dominate the living room.

His eyes crinkled in livid surprise, his ki rising to battle mode. He watched in trepid apprehension as a number of shadows emerged from the bamboo grove at the far end of the yard. His superiority seemed mildly threatened by the sight of several sturdy bodies armed with swords and bows. Flecks of gold overpowered amethyst as he waited for them to explain their conquering presence. His hands suddenly itched for his sword. A man with graying hair stepped forward and knelt in front of him. The others followed in example.

"Your grace, surely you have felt the loss of balance after your master's ascension…"

"You conniving bastard…" he interjected. Giotto blue sparks zipped through the air in his anger.

"Your grace, you must understand, it was Master Hiko's expressed order that you be the next successor to the throne…"

"I said I didn't want it," he growled. He had silenced the man with his muted rage. How dare they disrupt his deserved peace and happiness?

Another figure stepped out of the shadows. A comely woman with ideal grace glided through the grass and stepped in front of him. She didn't kneel but did bow slightly, as if demonstrate her endowments to her lord.

"If you're worried about the mortal you call wife, do not worry about it, Ken-sama. I have my Amazons outside the kitchen windows, ready to do my slightest bidding," she cooed.

Amber eyes looked fiercely at her that she visibly shivered. She narrowed her eyes in consternation and with a wave of her hand several more figures came into view. She backed away in defeat.

"Do not even think of laying a finger on her, unless you don't need them," he whispered. The woman was about to open her mouth in mortification when the older man interpolated:

"Hush, Yumi-dono! We do not need violent reactions now. Please consider, my lord. You have responsibilities because of your heritage. You know more than anybody else the suffering people would undergo if you do not accept to rule over the kingdom. Your domestic life would have to be sacrificed for the greater good. And as Yumi-dono had suggested, your mortal wife would be threatened if you stubbornly refuse to accept your duties," the older man pleaded.

"My wife is the only one saving you from my wrath," he hissed. He watched in satisfaction as he saw them visibly shrink and bow their heads in disquiet. He can feel, no, see the fine walls he had constructed for his new life begin to crumble. It sadly occurred to him that Past would always get back to him, always asking for remuneration. He clenched his fists, already feeling helpless against the tide that assaulted his being. Finally, a small figure rose from the shadows and exclaimed:

"My lord, please! You are the god of the Twelve Pillars. The natural order would be thrown off if you don't accept. I understand how you feel; knowing that you have already found the Light and you are to lose it again over something that you didn't want in the first place. But you promised me, onii-sama. You promised me you would protect…" the boy cried.

Suddenly, a crash of a porcelain pot permeated the atmosphere. Wide azure eyes laced with tears culminated Kenshin's fear. Kaoru.

"…god…of the Twelve Pillars…" she choked. Everything burned white.

And Secrecy a human dress…

The italicized lines are from my good friend William Blake.

Thank you readers and reviewers. Have a nice life.

Until then, I remain,

EbonyFox