PASSING BELLS
~An Alternative Universe Fanfiction~
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this story except for the plot. The Title of the story was taken from another book. The characters were created by Watsuki Nobuhiro-sama for the hit series Ruruoni Kenshin. As for me, the plot was original, the characters maybe OOC because this is an AU fic.
Author's Note: This is my first time to write something like Passing Bells. Please be kind, for I am not that great in Grammar nor story telling, I am just trying to put my ideas on paper. Comment, Criticisms and Suggestions are welcome, while flames will be used as heater here in Tagaytay Highlands. (Peace)
Prologue
The year was 1897, it was the year when Daehan Jeguk(1) was forced trading with Japan. It was the year that marked the change of a once hermit kingdom. North Korea, specifically was the target of the Japanese troops due to it geographical nearness. The colonialism was at its peak In Yalu River (2), it was the beginning of the tragedy that shook the whole empire.
The troops started coming in and out of the country. Soon, the whole peninsula was under the control of the Japanese Army, villages were burned, livestock were killed, and men were forced to serve in the army and to those who refused, they were either killed or slaved. Women, were however a different case, the young ones were turned into Yujos (3), while the older ones were put into the camps to cook and attend to the needs of the soldiers.
That scenario in the capital went on and on without any resistance from the main government that is led by the Emperor Gojong. During that time, the peninsula was fresh from the assassination of the Queen Mother, Min. For the majority it was the start of the night mare that came along with the Japanese forces. But in small villages, the Japanese encountered big and small resistances from farmers whose animosity with the Nippons ran deep.
(Southern Outskirt of Kilchu, North Korea. 1899)
The village was in turmoil. Everything was a mess, there were blood everywhere, and the smell of distinct copper protruded the air. The Houses were burned into a heap, leaving ashes of straws in the wide field of the village they once farmed for a living. The crops lay rotten in the once rich soil they loved and cherished. Smokes and fumes from guns were evident in the air. The water, the once clear water were turned into baths of blood, the lucid liquid was now mixed with bodies of men that died fighting the soldiers. Everything was gone, everything was lost, and everything was trampled and abused.
Amidst all of the confusion and turmoil, a girl is standing vigil at her father's ailing side. Kamiya Kaoru, the daughter of the village doctor, Shintaro, is unaffected by the bombings and screams outside the Anchae (4). Kamiya-san, took refuge here in Korea when he was just a fresh graduate, a doctor with no experience or whatsoever in the field of real medicine. He was an apprentice of Gensai-sensai, a resident doctor in Tokyo. He thought that his life in Tokyo was the life he was going to take on forever but when the Civil War shook Japan, he was forced to take shelter in a fishing village in Korea.
He first set foot in Kilchu (5) when he was twenty years old, a fresh graduate and a troubled man looking for his life. He didn't know what to do or what he wanted to do. His life became a meaningless wondering. He became a vagabond, helping other people with their errands until he stopped in a small village in the Southern Outskirts of Kilchu.
It was a sunny afternoon when Shintaro reached the village, hungry, tired and exhausted. He was feeling a little bit grateful for his life when he saw something that triggered his fancy. There was a commotion in the village, men and women alike gathered around something he couldn't quite fathom. The sun was punishing him, with its rays shining like a full blown header, he was quite sure that he will never ever make it alive. He heard someone shouted "Doctor" and suddenly, as if he was bring to life, Shintaro ran towards the commotion. What he saw was no alien to him, there lay in the ground was an old man stabbed at the gut. His blood was oozing and the people were blank on what to do.
He looked at the people around him, pondering on what to do: and as if lightning struck him, he snapped his fingers and commanded them to bring him the supplies he needed. Communicating to them was not a problem because, Shintaro, as the learner that he was once easily adopted to the dialect the people in the peninsula spoke.
After that incident, the people in the village welcomed him and considered him as a part of their small haven. He was given a home, food, clothes, and a family. The wounded old man, Yongha, was the one who offered the help and together with his wife, Yujin, they treated the young doctor as their own.
Life for Shintaro suddenly took a sharp turn, he no longer feels useless and unwanted and thus, making him more fulfilled and needed. His duties as a doctor continued and everyone was happy to have him around. His lineage, although, it's always been question was not a big deal to the villagers. And together with his fulfillment, Shintaro found the greatest gift: his wife.
Sun Yin, was a darling, she was the eldest daughter of a merchant in the village. She was just eighteen years of age when her father presented her hand in marriage. Her relationship was not a problem because her father approves Shintaro more than anything else. So, after two years of being in a relationship with Shintaro, they decided to get married.
After nine months, Sun Yin bore a healthy baby girl. They named her Kaoru but good things must come to an end. Unfortunately, Sun Yin couldn't keep up with the strains and fatigues of pregnancy. Her health deteriorated due to the tuberculosis she acquired from her mother when she was thirteen years old. Although Shintaro tried everything he could do to save his wife from her inevitable death, Sun Yin died after seven wonderful years of being a family.
Kaoru-chan, as she was fondly called by the village people grew-up in the custody of her father. He gave her everything any girl could ask for. He taught her everything he knew including the art of protecting lives with the use of a sword. She was the only child of the young couple making her the center of attraction to everyone in the village.
As time went by, Kaoru-chan developed into a beautiful lady. Her long ebony locks extend to the small arch of her back. Her alabaster skin was devoid of any wound, except for the one she got when she bumped into a steel rod. Her petite but voluptuous body was formed with the help of the Kasshin Ryu (6) her father taught her. She was the envy of the other girls and the dream of the boys in the village. She was the prized possession amongst the thorns in the village. But nothing seems to matter to the girl. She would rather spend the time looking and caring for her ailing father than flirt shamelessly with the attractive lads at the village.
Shintaro taught her a lot of things, he taught her the native language of his ancestors and he taught her the custom and the art of origami. Together with it, Kaoru-chan learned the culture and tradition of her mother.
Their happy life was put into danger after the Japanese troops started conquering and invading the villages in Kilchu. At first, Shintaro wanted Kaoru to go away because of the things the soldiers were doing to the young women left in the village. But the persistent girl held to her ground and declined any offer of moving. Due to Shintaro's poor health all sorts of travel will do him more harm than good and thus making him bed ridden. He wanted his daughter to go away but it was her decision to stay with him.
"Kaoru-chan, you must get away from here, the Japanese troops will just harm you." he weakly whispered to his daughter. They can hear the agony of the people in the village and he knows that any moment, a Japanese soldier sabotage his home.
She looked up to her father and saw a man near his death bed and it brought tears to her eyes. She loves her father deeply, he was the only thing she can ever hold on to and she will not let anyone take that away from her. Her father is her sanctuary, the only family she can remember, and the only thing that is worth living for. And she will not let anything bad happen to him, "Papa, I won't" she resolutely replied.
"My child, listen to your father" he coughed, "I'm old and you are young, whatever life I still have on this earth is useless," another cough, "I've served my time and I know my life is nearing. But you, my dear, have a lot more life to live. I'm ol—"
"No, Papa I won't" she interrupted. She hated this, she never imagined that she will hear her father give-up on life like this. No matter what happen she will not let anything bad happen to him. She promised herself that she would do anything to protect the man who gave her everything, even if it costs her own life.
"My child you—" as if on cue a loud thud was heard on the door, revealing a Japanese soldier with a sword at his side and a revolver at his hand. Then a second one came, a third one, a fourth one, and soon their house was surrounded by uniformed soldiers. There were smirks and grins plastered on their faces.
They found Kaoru kneeling at her father's bed side. A soldier came to them and roughly ushered her away from the old man.
"Come with us old man!" the soldier commanded.
Shintaro offered no resistance and spoke to them, "I will come with you, in one condition, and please don't hurt my daughter"
A mocked laughter soon ensued and a soldier replied, "Who do you are?! Orihime?! Hahahaha!!!"
"Please, I'm begging you" cough, cough, cough.
Then a soldier came to Kaoru and inspected her. He smiled at what he saw, a satisfactory smile to be precise. He was about to speak when he heard his comrade, "Even if you are a Japanese, you have no exception or whatsoever, you left Japan, with it you left your nationality, Kamiya-san" he mockingly said.
The old man was roughly pushed outside. Neither pity nor compassion prevailed, the old man was forced to line-up like the others. They were about to go out when suddenly a girl stopped them at their tracks.
"Please, don't take my father away!" she half pleaded, half cried.
"And, what would you give to us?" a soldier mockingly replied.
"Anything" she said while her head was bowed to the ground.
The soldier tilted her head up and examined her. His hands make her insides burned. His touch was vile and she hated every moment of it. The she felt it, his face was getting nearer and nearer, inch by inch, she can even smell the odor of his mouth, his breath felt hot on her cheeks and it nearly made her cry but all she can do was close her eyes. He was about to kiss her when someone interrupted.
"What's the commotion all about?" She looked up and saw a tall uniformed soldier. The owner of the voice was uniformed, he carried a sense of authority over him and it was evident that he was of a higher position because of the tension that suddenly build-up in the air. Physically, the man has a fair skin. His locks hung above his forehead and his eyes were a shocking shade of green and blue, an unusual mix. His face is chiseled and it was void any emotion.
The man who was holding her immediately let go and saluted to his superior. After he dismissed him, he asked for the permission to speak.
"Captain, this girl is trading herself for the place of her father." The soldier curtly replied.
The mysterious officer looked at the crying girl and asked, "Who is your father?"
Kaoru again looked-up. She was surprised at the question the officer posted for her. Although, there was no change of emotion or whatsoever when he spoke those words, Kaoru felt an immediate feeling of relaxation ran through her. Unable to speak, she pinpointed her father.
There was a moment of silence. It was a long while when he spoke again, "Let him go,"
Those simple words shocked the soldiers as well as Kaoru, immediately she went to her father's side and helped him untie the ropes they have put. They were about to go when she heard him spoke.
"As for you young lady, I let go of your father in trade of your submission to every thing I will tell you." He stared at her coldly.
"What do you mean?"
"You said that you would do anything for your father, this is our bargain. You, from now on is a prisoner of war and it is your duty to follow everything that I tell you to do."
"I…I…" she couldn't speak.
"I assume you understand what I mean,"
After several minutes, her father was freed. But Kaoru was left with nothing, she got what she bargained and she got the end of the deal. Together with the retreating soldiers, Kaoru traveled her own way towards the camp of the Japanese Troops.
End Prologue
Author's Note: This is my first fanfic. Sorry for the mistakes I hope someone will beta read my work. Read and Review.
For those who guessed who the mystery Captain is, yes it is Shinomori Aoshi.
Yes, this is an alternate pairing fanfic. It stars Aoshi and Kaoru.
Hehehe! That's it for now!
Daehan Jeguk- Korea
Yalu River-Center of Colonialism in Korea
Yujos-Prostitute
Anchae-Inner wing of a typical Korean House.
Kilchu-A small town in North Korea
Kasshin Ryu-A sword style
~An Alternative Universe Fanfiction~
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this story except for the plot. The Title of the story was taken from another book. The characters were created by Watsuki Nobuhiro-sama for the hit series Ruruoni Kenshin. As for me, the plot was original, the characters maybe OOC because this is an AU fic.
Author's Note: This is my first time to write something like Passing Bells. Please be kind, for I am not that great in Grammar nor story telling, I am just trying to put my ideas on paper. Comment, Criticisms and Suggestions are welcome, while flames will be used as heater here in Tagaytay Highlands. (Peace)
Prologue
The year was 1897, it was the year when Daehan Jeguk(1) was forced trading with Japan. It was the year that marked the change of a once hermit kingdom. North Korea, specifically was the target of the Japanese troops due to it geographical nearness. The colonialism was at its peak In Yalu River (2), it was the beginning of the tragedy that shook the whole empire.
The troops started coming in and out of the country. Soon, the whole peninsula was under the control of the Japanese Army, villages were burned, livestock were killed, and men were forced to serve in the army and to those who refused, they were either killed or slaved. Women, were however a different case, the young ones were turned into Yujos (3), while the older ones were put into the camps to cook and attend to the needs of the soldiers.
That scenario in the capital went on and on without any resistance from the main government that is led by the Emperor Gojong. During that time, the peninsula was fresh from the assassination of the Queen Mother, Min. For the majority it was the start of the night mare that came along with the Japanese forces. But in small villages, the Japanese encountered big and small resistances from farmers whose animosity with the Nippons ran deep.
(Southern Outskirt of Kilchu, North Korea. 1899)
The village was in turmoil. Everything was a mess, there were blood everywhere, and the smell of distinct copper protruded the air. The Houses were burned into a heap, leaving ashes of straws in the wide field of the village they once farmed for a living. The crops lay rotten in the once rich soil they loved and cherished. Smokes and fumes from guns were evident in the air. The water, the once clear water were turned into baths of blood, the lucid liquid was now mixed with bodies of men that died fighting the soldiers. Everything was gone, everything was lost, and everything was trampled and abused.
Amidst all of the confusion and turmoil, a girl is standing vigil at her father's ailing side. Kamiya Kaoru, the daughter of the village doctor, Shintaro, is unaffected by the bombings and screams outside the Anchae (4). Kamiya-san, took refuge here in Korea when he was just a fresh graduate, a doctor with no experience or whatsoever in the field of real medicine. He was an apprentice of Gensai-sensai, a resident doctor in Tokyo. He thought that his life in Tokyo was the life he was going to take on forever but when the Civil War shook Japan, he was forced to take shelter in a fishing village in Korea.
He first set foot in Kilchu (5) when he was twenty years old, a fresh graduate and a troubled man looking for his life. He didn't know what to do or what he wanted to do. His life became a meaningless wondering. He became a vagabond, helping other people with their errands until he stopped in a small village in the Southern Outskirts of Kilchu.
It was a sunny afternoon when Shintaro reached the village, hungry, tired and exhausted. He was feeling a little bit grateful for his life when he saw something that triggered his fancy. There was a commotion in the village, men and women alike gathered around something he couldn't quite fathom. The sun was punishing him, with its rays shining like a full blown header, he was quite sure that he will never ever make it alive. He heard someone shouted "Doctor" and suddenly, as if he was bring to life, Shintaro ran towards the commotion. What he saw was no alien to him, there lay in the ground was an old man stabbed at the gut. His blood was oozing and the people were blank on what to do.
He looked at the people around him, pondering on what to do: and as if lightning struck him, he snapped his fingers and commanded them to bring him the supplies he needed. Communicating to them was not a problem because, Shintaro, as the learner that he was once easily adopted to the dialect the people in the peninsula spoke.
After that incident, the people in the village welcomed him and considered him as a part of their small haven. He was given a home, food, clothes, and a family. The wounded old man, Yongha, was the one who offered the help and together with his wife, Yujin, they treated the young doctor as their own.
Life for Shintaro suddenly took a sharp turn, he no longer feels useless and unwanted and thus, making him more fulfilled and needed. His duties as a doctor continued and everyone was happy to have him around. His lineage, although, it's always been question was not a big deal to the villagers. And together with his fulfillment, Shintaro found the greatest gift: his wife.
Sun Yin, was a darling, she was the eldest daughter of a merchant in the village. She was just eighteen years of age when her father presented her hand in marriage. Her relationship was not a problem because her father approves Shintaro more than anything else. So, after two years of being in a relationship with Shintaro, they decided to get married.
After nine months, Sun Yin bore a healthy baby girl. They named her Kaoru but good things must come to an end. Unfortunately, Sun Yin couldn't keep up with the strains and fatigues of pregnancy. Her health deteriorated due to the tuberculosis she acquired from her mother when she was thirteen years old. Although Shintaro tried everything he could do to save his wife from her inevitable death, Sun Yin died after seven wonderful years of being a family.
Kaoru-chan, as she was fondly called by the village people grew-up in the custody of her father. He gave her everything any girl could ask for. He taught her everything he knew including the art of protecting lives with the use of a sword. She was the only child of the young couple making her the center of attraction to everyone in the village.
As time went by, Kaoru-chan developed into a beautiful lady. Her long ebony locks extend to the small arch of her back. Her alabaster skin was devoid of any wound, except for the one she got when she bumped into a steel rod. Her petite but voluptuous body was formed with the help of the Kasshin Ryu (6) her father taught her. She was the envy of the other girls and the dream of the boys in the village. She was the prized possession amongst the thorns in the village. But nothing seems to matter to the girl. She would rather spend the time looking and caring for her ailing father than flirt shamelessly with the attractive lads at the village.
Shintaro taught her a lot of things, he taught her the native language of his ancestors and he taught her the custom and the art of origami. Together with it, Kaoru-chan learned the culture and tradition of her mother.
Their happy life was put into danger after the Japanese troops started conquering and invading the villages in Kilchu. At first, Shintaro wanted Kaoru to go away because of the things the soldiers were doing to the young women left in the village. But the persistent girl held to her ground and declined any offer of moving. Due to Shintaro's poor health all sorts of travel will do him more harm than good and thus making him bed ridden. He wanted his daughter to go away but it was her decision to stay with him.
"Kaoru-chan, you must get away from here, the Japanese troops will just harm you." he weakly whispered to his daughter. They can hear the agony of the people in the village and he knows that any moment, a Japanese soldier sabotage his home.
She looked up to her father and saw a man near his death bed and it brought tears to her eyes. She loves her father deeply, he was the only thing she can ever hold on to and she will not let anyone take that away from her. Her father is her sanctuary, the only family she can remember, and the only thing that is worth living for. And she will not let anything bad happen to him, "Papa, I won't" she resolutely replied.
"My child, listen to your father" he coughed, "I'm old and you are young, whatever life I still have on this earth is useless," another cough, "I've served my time and I know my life is nearing. But you, my dear, have a lot more life to live. I'm ol—"
"No, Papa I won't" she interrupted. She hated this, she never imagined that she will hear her father give-up on life like this. No matter what happen she will not let anything bad happen to him. She promised herself that she would do anything to protect the man who gave her everything, even if it costs her own life.
"My child you—" as if on cue a loud thud was heard on the door, revealing a Japanese soldier with a sword at his side and a revolver at his hand. Then a second one came, a third one, a fourth one, and soon their house was surrounded by uniformed soldiers. There were smirks and grins plastered on their faces.
They found Kaoru kneeling at her father's bed side. A soldier came to them and roughly ushered her away from the old man.
"Come with us old man!" the soldier commanded.
Shintaro offered no resistance and spoke to them, "I will come with you, in one condition, and please don't hurt my daughter"
A mocked laughter soon ensued and a soldier replied, "Who do you are?! Orihime?! Hahahaha!!!"
"Please, I'm begging you" cough, cough, cough.
Then a soldier came to Kaoru and inspected her. He smiled at what he saw, a satisfactory smile to be precise. He was about to speak when he heard his comrade, "Even if you are a Japanese, you have no exception or whatsoever, you left Japan, with it you left your nationality, Kamiya-san" he mockingly said.
The old man was roughly pushed outside. Neither pity nor compassion prevailed, the old man was forced to line-up like the others. They were about to go out when suddenly a girl stopped them at their tracks.
"Please, don't take my father away!" she half pleaded, half cried.
"And, what would you give to us?" a soldier mockingly replied.
"Anything" she said while her head was bowed to the ground.
The soldier tilted her head up and examined her. His hands make her insides burned. His touch was vile and she hated every moment of it. The she felt it, his face was getting nearer and nearer, inch by inch, she can even smell the odor of his mouth, his breath felt hot on her cheeks and it nearly made her cry but all she can do was close her eyes. He was about to kiss her when someone interrupted.
"What's the commotion all about?" She looked up and saw a tall uniformed soldier. The owner of the voice was uniformed, he carried a sense of authority over him and it was evident that he was of a higher position because of the tension that suddenly build-up in the air. Physically, the man has a fair skin. His locks hung above his forehead and his eyes were a shocking shade of green and blue, an unusual mix. His face is chiseled and it was void any emotion.
The man who was holding her immediately let go and saluted to his superior. After he dismissed him, he asked for the permission to speak.
"Captain, this girl is trading herself for the place of her father." The soldier curtly replied.
The mysterious officer looked at the crying girl and asked, "Who is your father?"
Kaoru again looked-up. She was surprised at the question the officer posted for her. Although, there was no change of emotion or whatsoever when he spoke those words, Kaoru felt an immediate feeling of relaxation ran through her. Unable to speak, she pinpointed her father.
There was a moment of silence. It was a long while when he spoke again, "Let him go,"
Those simple words shocked the soldiers as well as Kaoru, immediately she went to her father's side and helped him untie the ropes they have put. They were about to go when she heard him spoke.
"As for you young lady, I let go of your father in trade of your submission to every thing I will tell you." He stared at her coldly.
"What do you mean?"
"You said that you would do anything for your father, this is our bargain. You, from now on is a prisoner of war and it is your duty to follow everything that I tell you to do."
"I…I…" she couldn't speak.
"I assume you understand what I mean,"
After several minutes, her father was freed. But Kaoru was left with nothing, she got what she bargained and she got the end of the deal. Together with the retreating soldiers, Kaoru traveled her own way towards the camp of the Japanese Troops.
End Prologue
Author's Note: This is my first fanfic. Sorry for the mistakes I hope someone will beta read my work. Read and Review.
For those who guessed who the mystery Captain is, yes it is Shinomori Aoshi.
Yes, this is an alternate pairing fanfic. It stars Aoshi and Kaoru.
Hehehe! That's it for now!
Daehan Jeguk- Korea
Yalu River-Center of Colonialism in Korea
Yujos-Prostitute
Anchae-Inner wing of a typical Korean House.
Kilchu-A small town in North Korea
Kasshin Ryu-A sword style