Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Fairen Destiny ❯ Chapter 8

Disclaimer: I don't own Kenshin. Too poor.

Hi all! n-n Sorry I'm late updating again! hehe I'm making a really bad habit of this. -sweatdrops-

Ok excuse time! I couldn't update last week because of the same excuse as last time and that weird thing ff.net was doing and I was actually left the house this weekend. I saw National Treasure and Alexander! n-n …and went furniture shopping (I get an actual bed! Yay!) So yeah. Lame excuse. Like always.

Heh READ ON!

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The immense castle doors opened, allowing them into the entrance hall. Light from the high windows shimmered on the marble walls and floor, illuminating the entire room. Hallways leading to and from the entrance hall bustled with servants and nobles, many stopping to give a polite bow or curtsy to them.

The servant led the way up a grand stair case and though a set of large doors opening on their own to allow them in to what Kenshin assumed either the throne or ball room. Here the walls were covered in what looked like tiny crystals, glimmering where the light from large windows near the top of the walls hit and fading in to an array of colors.

At the front surrounding four thrones were three people conversing to each other. Two were women and one was a man, all fairens. The man was middle aged with dark brown eyes, black flecked with gray hair and sharp features. He wore a sweeping, deep burgundy robe embroidered with black and blood red with a long dark cloak over it. His large Betroe (bird) wings were brown in color streaked with light tan.

One woman had pale sky blue Iten (insect/fairy) wings and warm green eyes and light brown hair pulled into a stylish twist. She too was middle aged but still had some of her youthful beauty. She wore a long plum colored dress that trailed slightly behind her and lined with iridescent pearls at the hems of her neck and sleeves.

The second woman was younger than the other two but had a very authoritative presence. Her dark black hair was long pulled into a low ponytail and had sharp brown eyes. Her white Betroe wings draped slightly around her like cloak. Her slit skirt was gold colored and somewhat short though still modest as was her top and wore a headdress with a small sapphire at the center. She carried a long staff with a radiant blue gem at the top. Lady Tomoe.

As they approached, lady Tomoe was the first to notice. "Here they are. Thank you for bringing them here that is all." the servant bowed and retreated back in to on of the many corridors.

The other two turned their attention to them when the servant left and a smile spread on the Iten-winged woman's face. She walked towards them all, each step poised and regal, and enveloped Kaoru in a motherly embrace. "You're back. How are you sweetie? You didn't run into trouble did you? And what about you Misao? How are you?"

She hugged Misao as well and made her way hugging Megumi, Sano, and Aoshi, giving them similar greetings finally coming to Kenshin. "You must be the young man Kaoru and Misao had to get, you're name is Kenshin Himura is it not? I'm Lady Kimiko Sagara and that is my husband Lord Seiji Sagara.

Look at you, you look like you haven't had a descent meal in ages and you're clothes…I'll have new ones for you right away. My, my you're so dirty. All three of you need baths desperately. -She frowned at the dirt and grime on Kaoru, Misao, and Kenshin- You could do you with one too Megumi. All of you need to take baths right now. Sanosuke, Aoshi why don't you show Kenshin here where the baths are? Now I want you to be sure to get rid of all that filth and I'll have some fresh clothes sent up for when you're done and then you can come down and have a nice meal. I'm sure you all will enjoy it. Come. Come. What are you waiting for? Hop to it."

Kenshin stood there stunned a moment before Sano snapped him out of it to head towards the bathing area. Kaoru, Misao, and Megumi were already up a set of stairs, all eager to do as told and relax in the baths.

"I wanted to talk him Kimiko. That could have waited." Tomoe watched the six up the stairs before they disappeared behind a corner.

Kimiko waved Tomoe's comment aside with her hand. "Nonsense Tomoe. Nothing you have to say needs to be said right away. Kenshin can wait for you're little chat after a hot bath and meal. The poor thing hasn't had either in a long time."

"It is more than then a little chat Kimiko but she is right Miss Tomoe. You've been waiting ten years for this; you can wait an hour longer."

"Yes Seiji. I will wait for them in the dining hall if we have nothing more at the moment that needs discussing." Tomoe bowed quickly and turned gracefully around heading in the opposite direction Kaoru, Kenshin and the others did.

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Kenshin sank into the hot water, more than happy to let it wash over him. Aoshi ans Sano too sat in the bath, enjoying the steaming water. The bathroom was more like a hot spring than actual bathroom. There were stones lining the bath with ferns and other shrubbery growing along the walls. The girls were in a separate bathroom on the other side of the stone wall.

"Sooooo Kenshin, what do ya think of everyone? Kaoru attempt to kill you yet?" Sano stretched his large wings, causing them to brush against the ceiling and water to drip and ripple from his feathers. Kenshin was by the wall separating the two bathing rooms and he could barely hear the quiet giggling and stifled talking of the girls. He could have sworn they grew quieter when he answered though.

"Uh no. I don't think so but she has come close. I thought women weren't supposed to be so…violent."

"Yes well she normally doesn't tend to hit others; it's just because you're new here, I think."

"Speak for yourself Aoshi! Kaoru's always trying to kill me. I don't have a clue why."

"You know why. It's because you're always teasing her. Don't tease her and she wouldn't try to kill you every hour. The same goes for Megumi."

Sano sighed dramatically at the mention of Megumi. "Aw, Megumi. Such a marvelous woman and what a wonderful body; if only she would admit her love for me. Then maybe she wouldn't try to break my hand after fights. One of the few perks to enduring her is when she's busy healing me after fights and stuff. She doesn't know you can see down her shirt when she bends over-"

Sano suddenly convulsed, falling into the hot water and his whole body twitching. The stone wall separating them from the girls' bathing room trembled and Megumi's voice suddenly materialized filled with anger. "YOU GOOD FOR NOTHING CLODPOLL! How dare you even think something like that about me! Just you wait Sano! I swear when I'm done with you, you won't be able to move for a year!"

Sano continued twitching and the wall shaking when it stopped and Misao's voice replaced Megumi's rage-filled one. "Sano when saying certain things that could get you in serious trouble with Megumi, or anyone else for that matter, I suggest not sitting by the wall separating you from them or speaking so loud the whole castle can hear you. You'll be lucky if Megumi doesn't really kill you after this."

Sano had stopped twitching, though his wings were disheveled with feathers sticking up in all directions and he was slightly shaky. "Thanks for the tip. I'll remember that Misao. Uh hey, you wouldn't mind trying to calm her down would you? Maybe Kaoru could help too?"

He laughed nervously; praying they would help him but his answer was exactly what he was dreading. "No way, I hoped she does kill you. You deserve it" Misao's voice then disappeared from the men's bathing room but all three could vaguely hear the women's muffled voices in the other bathroom.

"Um is he ok?" Kenshin wasn't sure whether he should feel sorry for Sano or be glad that it wasn't him Megumi directed her anger at. She was very scary when angry.

"Don't worry Kenshin he's fine. It happens to him quite often." Aoshi looked like he too felt the same way as Kenshin did but at the same time looked unaffected by Sano's condition.

"How did they hear him anyway? That's stone separating us isn't it?"

"No, it only looks like stone and it's much thinner than you think. Well I think we've been here enough. Why don't we head downstairs? I'm sure you're hungry Kenshin." In response Kenshin's stomach growled letting him know for the first time he hadn't eaten almost two days.

He followed Aoshi out of the bath, grabbing a towel to dry off with. Sano dazedly followed the two as well, stumbling slightly as he walked. Clothes were already laid out for each of them on a bench. Aoshi and Sano dressed themselves quickly each wearing similar outfits to what they had on before.

Kenshin's looked liked his old clothes but were obviously new and made of much nicer fabric, the tunic was silk. Why did feel so weird wearing them? Maybe because he hadn't stole them or the fact that they were very expensive? He was probably so used to having steel anything he needed; it was just weird having something so nice given to you like this. Though he was sure he could get used it if everything was this nice. He shrugged the thoughts away as he dressed. He was a little surprised when he felt a draft on his back. He felt for what caused it and…why were there two rips in his clothes?

"What…?" He spun around trying to see his back. Sure enough two large slits were in his shirt and tunic. He tried thinking of a reason for this when Sano's wings flapped once as he put on his tunic. Understanding hit Kenshin like a hammer to a nail. Fairens had wings so they needed their clothes to fit around the wings too. He felt very stupid for not realizing this before.

They headed downstairs to the ground floor again with Sano, who was still somewhat dazed, leading the way.

Kenshin stared around him as they entered the great hall but managed to keep his mouth closed this time. This time the walls seemed to radiate their own soft, warm light. Long tables ran along the floor with the head table on a raised step towards the front. Lady Tomoe sat to the left of the center at the head tables with her eyes closed and head bowed. Kenshin couldn't tell if she knew they were there or not. The three walked towards her, sitting at the other end.

Kaoru, Misao, and Megumi entered the great hall and Tomoe lifted her head as they went to seat themselves. Tomoe raised her staff and food appeared before the six of them. Kenshin gaped for a moment before hunger again made itself known and he eagerly began eating.

`Mmmm it's good.' That was about the thought that passed through Kenshin's head as he ate until Kaoru began bickering Sano. "Well it's true! Honestly Sano try not being so thick headed. You'd be surprised."

"I'm thick headed? You're one to talk Kaoru. You're more stubborn than a mule!" Kaoru and Sano continued fighting as everyone except Kenshin ignored them.

Curiosity got the better of the red head as he turned to Misao. "What are they arguing about?" Misao drank from her goblet before answering. "Nothing important. Their fighting over what Sano said before and how it always gets him trouble. You should try to ignore it. It happens all the time."

"They remind me of a married couple. Why's Kaoru acting so jealous over what Sano said? He was just being an idiot wasn't he?"

"Jealous? Why would she be jealous? Sano says things like that all the time. And Megumi usually poisons him fro a week as payback. Kaoru's just giving him a hard time. It's a sibling thing."

Kenshin nearly choked at that. "Siblings? Those two? As in brother and sister? They don't look anything alike though. I thought Kaoru and Sano were like a…a….I don't know courting or something."

Kenshin must of spoke louder than he thought because Kaoru immediately turned to face him. "You thought what?! What gave you that idea? Sano's my brother! How thick headed are you?"

"It's not like anyone told me! Besides you two don't look alike. How am I supposed to know that?"

"We don't look alike because he's my foster-brother Lout! Honestly you're worse than Sano! Courting. Of all the stupid ideas. Courting." She muttered the last part under breath.

Kenshin couldn't help but feel a little dense for assuming that but he still stubbornly thought Kaoru was partly at fault too. She could have said something earlier. Misao grinned good naturedly at Kenshin which made only grated at his nerves more. "What?!"

"Nothing. It's just sort of funny you would think they fought like a married couple. I think you and Kaoru act like that more." Kenshin felt his face heat up and he gawked at Misao like she grew a second head.

"We do not! She's annoying! It's not my fault she likes to argue with everyone. What am I supposed to do? Just sit here while she makes fun of me?"

"That would be the proper thing to do though I do admit that's a bit difficult sometimes"

Kenshin glared at Aoshi before concentrating on eating the rest of his meal. Was everyone here trying to irritate him? The whole time Tomoe had remained silent and acted as if none of them were even there.

However Tomoe knew everything that was going on even though she didn't show it. Once everyone was through eating and Kaoru and Kenshin stopped arguing, she cleared the plates with a wave of her hand and walked over to their group stopping in front of Kenshin.

"I had planned on talking with you on why you were here now but Lady Kimiko and Lord Seiji both feel it will be best to leave that until you have been here for a few days and are able to adjust. So I have no choice but to wait. Also in three days you are to come down to the cabin you were at earlier. That is when I plan to take care of your….current condition and inform you of your reason being here. The rest of you may come as well if you wish; you know why he is here. But do not tell him too much when he asks questions. Do not forget. In three days you are to visit me at the cabin. Good day to you all."

Tomoe turned and left as Kenshin visibly relaxed and slumped into his chair. "She waited all that time just to me that?"

"That's Lady Tomoe for ya."

"Sure. Ok I got the visiting her part. Anyone want to tell me what everything else she said meant. I'd really like to know what she meant `by take care of my current condition'."

Silence. "Thanks for helping. Really appreciate it." "She means she going to get rid of whatever suppressed your wings and magic Lout." "Harpy."

"It looks like your going to being living in the castle too Kenshin." Sano smirked, knowing what was coming very shortly. "Huh?"

"Well she said you had to adjust here right? Means you're going to live here. Don't doubt it either. I'm sure my mom already has your room and everything ready for you." And the bickering would start right about…..now.

"Here? He has to live here? Ugh, you're probably right too, knowing Mother. Damn. I thought I was rid of you after today." Kaoru banged her head against the table in despair.

"Not like I'm looking forward to seeing your face everyday either. Any chance we can kick her out?"

"If we kick anyone out, it's going to be you Stupid. I live here."

"And your point is?"

"That I'll knock you out for a week if you don't shut up."

"I'd like to see you try." Kaoru made to get up but Megumi put arm into front of her, ceasing her movements. "Both of you stop fighting. Kenshin's going to live here and no one's going to be throne out. End of story. Don't like it, too bad. Deal with it."

Kaoru stared her for a moment before shrugging as she stood to leave. "Whatever. I'm going out for a walk. See ya later."

"Hold it Kaoru." The said girl froze as Kimiko's voice fluttered down to them. Kenshin looked around trying to figure where she was until he spotted her hovering in a window near the ceiling. How long had she been there? "I don't want you leaving the grounds for the rest of the day. It's almost nightfall. You can go in the gardens if you want. But no forest."

"But-" "No Kaoru. You can go tomorrow." "Fine." Kaoru left the great hall quickly before Kimiko changed her mind about letting her in the gardens.

"Well she'll be out for a while. Now what about the rest of you? Kenshin I'm sure you're tired. Would you like me to show you to your room? Megumi you can use a guestroom if you like."

"Uh sure. Thank you Lady Kimiko." Kimiko smiled and turned back to Kenshin. "Kenshin how about I show you your room? You don't have to stay there if you don't want but at least you can know where it is when you want to."

"Um ok." The middle-aged woman smiled as Kenshin followed her out of the great hall. Misao and Megumi had already left just before them while Sano and Aoshi had disappeared before any of them. Kimiko led Kenshin up the stairs in the entrance hall to the third floor, walking towards a door at the end of the hall.

"This is your room. Sanosuke's bedroom is next door to yours and Kaoru's is at the front of the hall. If you need help finding anything feel free to ask one of the servants if you need to."

She opened the door and walked in after him. Kenshin stood staring once again. Just how many more times was he going to gape at something here? `How many rooms are in this castle?'

The room was huge! Two opened doors revealing a large balcony gazing out towards the sun setting over the forest. The walls were a dark green and didn't do anything. `Thank God.' There was a fireplace with a small couch in front and king-sized bed along with dresser, desk, bookcase and bedside table. "I'm afraid it's a little plain. Tomorrow I'll have it so it's more comfortable for you. Do you have a preference or theme in mind?"

Kenshin was still busy staring so it took him a minute to process what she had said. "What? Uh no that's ok. Really. It's, it's good. More than I'm used to trust me."

"Oh don't be silly. What's the point of your own room without a few personal touches? You just tell me how you want it and it'll be taken of. I insist."

"I-oro, uh ok." Kenshin walked out to the balcony scanning the view before him. "Well I'll just leave you then. Good night Kenshin." Kimiko smiled at his back and quietly left, shutting the door behind her.

`She sure is nice. Why can't Kaoru act more like that?' Kenshin stood leaning against the doorway. He still couldn't believe he would be living in a castle or that he would get wings in three days or that he was even here. `I could get use to this though.'

He retreated to back into his room, sitting on the couch and staring into the fireplace. The sun had set completely and lamps from nowhere appeared, lighting the room. He decided he was tired once he had a chance to think a little over what had happened to him the past few days.

He went to his bed and saw two changes of clothes for him, one for tonight and the other tomorrow; both had slits for wings. He undressed himself and slipped into his nightwear and climbed into his bed. It was very soft. `Yup I can definitely get used to this.'

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Again nothing happened! -_-` I'm making a bad habit of that too. In case anyone was wondering, clodpoll is a medieval insult for idiot. Kimiko and Seiji Sagara are OC's just so ya all know (like you couldn't tell) Next chapter Kenshin gets his wings! Even it kills me I will finally give Kenshin wings! I've been waiting to get to that part…now to actually figure out how it's gonna happen hmmmm lol Ok I think I'm done ranting now. So you know what that means. REVIEW!!!! :P Please! Make me happy!

By for now n-n

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