Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is the property of Nobuhiro Watsuki, Shueisha, SPE Visual Works, Anime Works, and others I may have missed.
A/N: Uhh...I've decided to rewrite this story. Entirely. Even the title (once I think of a new name). So I've taken the old first chapter down and will hopefully be posting the new one up soon (after two years' absence, yes). For the moment, I've dashed off a little snippet that'll take part in the actual story some chapters later. Let me know if it seems the least bit interesting. Arigatou!
"...And his eyes...stared at me so..." Kaoru's voice trailed off as her teary eyes closed themselves, both trying to hide the pain so clearly within her.
Kenshin drew her hand into his, gently squeezing, and it seemed to give her the strength to continue.
"I didn't understand it. I...I couldn't read the expression in them. His eyes were so dark and unfathomable—"
She broke off again, this time staring at him with wide eyes, so he waited patiently for her to elaborate. Sure enough, she started again almost immediately, but her next words were hardly what he had expected. "In fact...his eyes were just like yours."
Kenshin blinked, twice. Just like...his? "Kaoru-dono," he said, an edge of amusement in his voice, "are you saying that sessha is like your brother?"
A look of irritation crossed her features, smoothening out the sadness that had lain upon them only a few seconds ago. "Baka," she muttered, "I never said that. I just meant that he had that impenetrable look in his eyes, the one you always have. I never can understand what you're thinking."
At this, Kenshin's eyes widened. "Sessha doesn't mean to—"
With a withering look, Kaoru cut him off, "And would you stop referring to yourself as 'sessha'?" As soon as the words were out, she bit her lip, wishing she could have bitten her tongue off instead, before letting it run away with her. But it was too late.
As abruptly as a door slamming shut, his expression shuttered and his gaze dropped to the dirt-streaked floor.
September 1, 2005
Lady E.