The Prophecy of the Roses

Disclaimer: I don't own yuyu hakusho. I don't make money out of it.

a/n:
gommen for the grammar.


Prologue - The Prophecy

The fire at the hearth inside the room had been enough to keep the occupants well comforted and warmed against the raging blizzard outside the hut. As luck had been on their side, it was in the nick of time they had found this Nihon country tavern to have a stop over, acquiring the needed rest and satisfaction of a good meal. Not enough customers were held inside the tavern for it was an off-season for the local people to come on this side of the country at this time of the year. As foreigners like them, they hadn’t known that fact but that was the least of their concern now.

The band of the said travelers were composed of several royal guards around 25, 10 servants and 3 members of the Royal Court of England namely the Duke Friedrich of Rosenberg, and his most-beloved twin offspring – Rowell, his handsome son and heir to his seat, and Rose, the undisputed enchanting beauty of Rosenberg, or even to the whole part of England. It wasn’t in their nature to take the advantage of their privilege birthright against the commoners but it was needed to sustain such large staff to safeguard them and also in honor of representing the name of the England to Japan. Actually, they were known to be a family of humility, good pride and sweet grace – much scarcely seen to the most aristocrats and royal bloods from the rest of the world. And because of this, people of Rosenberg had loved and served them with trust and loyalty in their hearts.

Though few, other people inside the tavern inquisitively gazed at them for seeing a large group of foreigners on this side of the country had themselves questioning. Never had they seen people such as them – the white ones, roaming and traveling at the last quarter of the year. It was a rare chance, that is. Good thing that those folks had only done the curious looks and nothing more for they are afraid to get near them. Seeing most of the travelers’ men dressed with unknown kind of light armor and belted both with straight swords and guns had them stopped from verbal asking. Better to lay it off for most of them were just the town’s peasants and merchants.

They were traveling from England to Kyoto, being invited by the Duke’s powerful Japanese close friend – the one who had a good seat at the current Meiji government. It was several years ago that that high official had invited them for a vacation in this country. Duke Friedrich, known as a busy man as he was during those period of years for helping his cousin King Louie strengthening his hold on new war which is on world economics, had unintentionally eluded most of his best pal’s homely requests and invites. Now that England’s economy had been settled on good sailing, it was the perfect time to accept the offer of his beloved friend, Yamagata – the overseer of the newly-fortified army forces of Japan.

“How much longer till we get there, father?” The question came from the sweet voice of the Duke’s daughter. She was told before by her own father to have an early sleep so that she will be feeling refreshed unto the next morn. But it seems she liked disobeying her father more often.

“I told you to go to sleep, Rose. You shouldn’t be here, with us men.” Her father, still a handsome man though aged, possessing some gray streaks on his bountiful ebony hair and eyes shone in amber color earning him as one of the eligible ‘bachelors’ from the Kingdom of England, berated his only daughter in front of his men and his only son.

They were discussing their route plan for tomorrow’s travel. Five of the best duke’s security men – one captain and 4 subordinates – were on the table along with him and Rowell. The rest of the guards were scattered to the room for security purposes. Even so, she approached to them at seemingly quiet pace.

She was wearing a Japanese traditional kimono given by the hostess of the tavern. She gladly wanted to try knew culture for sometime and wearing this had to be a good beginning. It just suits her fine. The kimono hugged her very enticing curves. All of the men’s eyes, including the ladies, had caught their attention towards her great beauty. Her pined-up long, red hair and green eyes had matched the white embroidered kimono with red roses etched at the side. An image of innocence and grace had marked all of her which is all in truth.

“It’s too early for me to sleep, for Christ Sake!” She countered. But as her father was about to scold her further, she immediately coiled her arms to his, acting like a small child she once was. It was one way to make her father succumb to her wishes. And it always worked like a pro.

“What are you up to now, dear daughter of mine? I wish for you to retire so that you can have your strength back in time for the travel tomorrow. But here you are, trying to annoy me for some reasons that I am not aware of.”

Rose smiled at him sheepishly. “You don’t have to worry, father. I am here because I want to be near you. We never had a good time being together as a family since we travel from the dirt roads of Japan. ‘Tis all.”

“As always, you choose the right words to wooed father at your feet, sister.” It was the handsome Rowell turn to speak, throwing sarcasms at his twin sister.

She playfully scoffed and winked at him. “Envy?”

“Likely hell no!” Rowell replied with enough annoyance to withhold from his twin sister.

Both twins possessed thick red hair and big, expressive green eyes inherited from their late mother, the Duchess Roselle of Rosenberg – known to be the Flame of England due to her numerous charity works and beauty beyond compare. The said lady had died caused by an unexplained accident at the main traveling highway from Scotland. She had visited their relatives there for a certain uncalled-for meeting when it was the day before her twins will about to turn 10 years old – their birthday. Like any loving mother would do, she fastened her important meeting with their relative at Scotland to enable to get home earlier the next day to celebrate the twins’ birthday in her own family with so much privacy. But fate had been against her. Her carriage was devastatingly wrecked and all of his companions and security had been killed….along with her. Duke Friedrich was almost insane after hearing his wife’s demise at the road. He almost became the most feared aristocrat for searching all the lands of Scotland and England for the perpetrator of the killing…..or accident as they say. Being thrown into the cliff is not an easy manner to be said as an accident. More so, it was really plotted but by whom? He and his family had done nothing but caring all for those who needed their help. They had never laid a hand against an enemy, if there is such to be called. Years and years had passed yet the news for the killer/s hadn’t been held. No witness, no evidences. All were dead along with her loving beautiful wife.

“You’re just like you mother, Rose. Full of spirit, fierce and beautiful. No one can argue against me on that.” Her father hugged her daughter caringly, not minding the rest of his men seeing this week side of him.

Rowell produced a short, taunting laugh. “Let’s not forget to mention her being manipulative, spoilt and possessing a brazen behavior at times, though mother had them on a subtle side.”

Duke Friedrich and Rose glared at him at the same time. Rowell had only waved his hands upward to signal his jest and defeat.

“Do you hate me so, Rowell, because father prefers me better than you?” With pouting lips, she asked her twin brother.

“No, no, sister. My goodness! What made you think you that? I was just only teasing you and both of you have fallen on my trap. Like father, like daughter.” Rowell laughed, suppressing naught of it.

“He had inherited that to you, father. Being nosy at times but in his case, it was part of his whole system of everyday life.” Rose turned his gaze at her beloved father.

“Aye, my daughter. Let’s just understand his stance, dear. Immature minds got to start somewhere before they move into a better place.”

Now it was their turn to laugh. The captain and his subordinates at the table had heartily laughed along with them as if they also belonged to the same family. It was this kind of friendly relationship among his royal family and subjects that had strengthened the bond between them. He and his family treated them with fair respect as to a human being.

“Ha ha! Very funny.” Rowell countered, almost loosening his stance of being in the upper hand. It was his turn to glare at his beautiful sister.

“I must go now before Rowell the brute here has my throat slashed. I am sparing Rowell from great humiliation in front of his men.” She smirked and winked. Rowell sneered. “I must retire now.”

“Ok. That would be the best. You will only be a great disturbance with these men,” he teased, taking note that he was referring to the ‘other’ 5 men on the table. It was no secret that they are all entranced and beguiled on the beauty of this 17 years old, red-headed beauty of Rosenberg. The captain had them the most. Admiring, loyally serving and respectfully talking at her were all they could do for she is bound to be married a royal blood, not like them. What dark fate had them struck!

“No by all means.” The handsome captain, possessing brawny physique and eyes as black as sin and brown hair, said unguardedly.

All of them looked at him. Rose only lifted a smile for appreciating his words.

As soon as he sensed everyone’s gaze at him, he instinctively coughed and recomposed himself as he was before….before Rose came into the table to disturb. Then he apologized deeply to His Grace.

Instead of berating his captain, he accepted his apology with a knowing smile. “See what I mean?! Now get up there and have some sleep. We have a long way to go.”

“How many more days will we have to endure before we arrive Kyoto?”

“Well, perhaps about two days, my dear.”

Rose smiled. In a matter of two days, she will be arriving at one of the most beautiful places in Japan, seeing its rustic beauty to the core. She couldn’t wait anymore!!!

She bent and planted a kiss on her father’s right cheek. “Good night, father.” Then she gave the same treatment with her twin brother.

“Don’t tire yourselves so much. I don’t want to mend lame people along our travel.” Of course, it was a joke for not taking care of them when they are weary.

She left the table and went upstairs.


**********

Rose arrived at the second floor of the tavern. She was walking bare-footed for it is one of the strict customs of the Japanese people. No slippers or shoes being used inside the premise of an abode or any buildings. She was almost near her room when someone called her name.

“Rose,”

She halted from her standing position. Before she went below, she was sure that all of their servants were asleep. How could they be someone calling her name now? And with it, the informality held within. No word of ‘mistress’ or ‘my lady’ tagged at her name. None of her servants calls her so informally for she is the Duke of Rosenberg’s daughter.

“Who goes there? Show yourself!” She demanded.

“Here, Rose. I am here.” The voice called her name informally again. It came from a woman’s.

“You should go here for you are the one who needed something.” Rose was a bit afraid for the predicament but she is known to be a courageous woman. She won’t back out in any fight even it is a foolish move of acquiring one without a weapon at hand. She instinctively searched for a nearby tool that she might use for a weapon against the predator.

Eyes scanning for her surroundings, only a ceramic vase at the end of the hall can be her tool against the unknown assailant. It is better than nothing. Slowly, she approached the ceramic vase. Each step she made was carefully and quietly done for she wouldn’t be affording the enemies out right attack.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. This is what I can promise. I won’t hurt you.”

“I don’t believe you. Why do you hide in the darkness if you have the purest intentions towards me?” She had a good point.

“It is because it is not the right time for you to see me. I am only here to tell you a fortune.” The woman in the darkness told her coolly.

“And you think that will change my mind on you? I don’t think so.” She finally grabbed the ceramic vase and held it to her bosom, ready for the impending attack.

“Foreign women are really hard to handle, especially the English ones.” The woman muttered in her own Nihon language.

“And how was I supposed to react? Be glad on being stalked? Anyway, what made you think that I want you to tell my fortune?!” She searched and eyed every possible corners of the hallway that the mysterious woman can be hiding.

“So you know and understand our language.” She sounded as if she was astounded.

“Yes, and what if I do understand and talk on your Nihon language?”

She and her brother were keenly taught by their special tutor several languages including Japanese. Thank God for it!!!

“Oh nothing.”

Then there was silence. Rose tried her best not to get scared. She had to do this on her own. She is not a helpless ninny to be called for. She had to fight this unknown predator no matter what.

“I am here to tell you that the Prophecy of the Roses will take place at this very night. Or of the coming days.”

“What Prophecy of the Roses are you talking about?” Rose wouldn’t believe her. It was just a plot to get her unguarded. “Nice try but you won’t trick me.”

The woman in the dark sighed. “Ok. It seems you haven’t known of it.”

Then again, the shuttering silence was poised.

“My name is Botan, a spirit-guide from the spirit world. I was sent here to deliver this news that HE will come for you. You must not resist him. He is vowed to be your……ehem…..mate for this night or so the coming days. He will come for you.”

“Mate? What the? Are you fooling me!!!/??!!! Ah! Yes, it is!!!! Do you think you can still have my mind change by telling me who you are?!!! AH! Baka!!!!” She couldn’t believe this. That mysterious woman was telling her that she will have to have sex with a guy she hadn’t met before. This is definitely crazy!!!

“Remember your dreams, Rose?” Botan asked confidently.

She thought momentarily. Recalling them all had stirred her sane senses, wobbling her knees. She definitely remembered all the ‘mating’ she had done with an unknown handsome man in her dreams. Odd enough, she did like every move they did. That had produced a deep crimson color both on her cheeks.

“AH….you definitely remembers HIM in your dreams,” Botan assured with a lop-sided smile on her face.



tbc....


a/n:

Kurama is the first bishonen guy that had me so struck before Aoshi Shinomori of Rurouni Kenshin had me.....Anyway, I like to play kurama for this time around.

I have to re-edit this....

Please review. Thank you.