INCOMPLETE
By: Chiki Yumeshisa
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin…all original ideas/characters are mine to claim.
AN: Here is my newest story, a new project and a new beginning for Chiki. It's going to be K/K as always, and the story is still in the process of being formed in my mind, so your reviews will really help me!
This story is an AU (alternate universe) and will not be set in Japan. There will be some mention of it, but for the majority of the story, the setting is in Canada. Japanese culture will not be touched upon in a lot of detail either.
That said, (or rather, written) Please enjoy!
>Chiki
SUMMARY: AU. Kamiya Kaoru is an average university student, who falls in love with a certain individual. Soon after, they get engaged, but her fiancé gets caught in a coma. Then, she meets her fiancé's brother, Himura Kenshin. KK!R&R Promises can be broken…
Warnings: None for this chapter!
PROLOGUE
- The Promise -
I've tried to go on like I never knew you
I'm awake but my world is half asleep...
Two years…..
Has it been that long already?
The spring air had a bite to it still, making the bluffs a rarely visited site for people at this time of the year. I don't know why I continued to go there, but I just couldn't help myself. There was something about that place that drew me to it, despite the memories it held.
The waves crashing against the rocks down below was a comforting sound as I picked my way up the hill, toward the huge jutting rock that overlooked the sea and made it feel as if one could touch the sky.
That day was a beautiful one even though the sun wasn't in the sky. It was mid-afternoon as it had taken me an hour and a half to get down there. The Scarborough Bluffs were a far distance from the downtown core.
I managed to make it to the top of the hill, and was most surprised to see a man sitting down on the rock I usually posted myself on. For a moment, I felt my heart skip a beat.
Maybe…
Maybe…
My hope vanished as I saw the man facing the sea, his shoulder-length brown hair flying in the wind. My own black locks were mimicking the motion as the wind blew and I used my hand to hold it back. He did not appear to be waiting for someone.
I stopped short in my tracks and was about to turn back when the man turned his head slightly to face me. "I'm sorry to have interrupted you." I said quickly.
He smiled slightly. "Not at all." He returned his gaze to the sea, leaning back on his hands as he said, "I came here to see the famous site for the lovers." With nothing to say, I did not reply as I waited for him to explain.
"There is a rumor that two lovers made a promise on this rock, as it never moves and never changes. They promised each other that their love would be the same if they came back on a designated day to this same rock and saw each other again.
"It's said that they lived happily ever after. And now, couples from everywhere come here to visit and try it themselves. They call it 'the lover's rock'." He peered up at me when he finished. "Did you come here for that today?"
Feeling my cheeks redden, I shook my head slowly. "I came to see the view." I told him. "And to come here for the last time before I leave for Japan again this week. But I am familiar with the story, sir."
Very familiar.
It was a shock to me that the rumor was so widespread.
It had only been two years….
I stood there for a few moments, looking out over the blue waters, letting myself remember. Feeling the tears come to my eyes after a while, I forced myself to step away, and, excusing myself, went back down the hill.
That was the last time….
I would not go back.
Once more, I retraced my steps, leaving the vicinity behind me. It was a long trek back up, and along the way I stopped occasionally to relish the feel of the sea's wind on my back. The world was so quiet, but that was soon shattered as I reached Kingston Road once again. The sight of cars and civilization greeted me.
The train ride home was crowded and noisy, with a bunch of high school kids jostling each other and making rude comments. I pretended not to notice as I endured the hour ride and went back to the small apartment I had rented temporarily with a friend of mine. At the moment, she was out, and I was alone, to pack my things and make dinner.
She had left a message on the answering machine, telling me that she would be home late and that she was sorry she could not help me to pack. I didn't mind too much, but the house was lonely without her laughter.
The apartment had one room, which Sayo and I shared. She was a neat freak, so everything was in order. I didn't have much so it was easy for me to keep my side just as neat. I did tend to leave things lying around once in a while, but a few reminders from my roommate was all it took for me to straighten up.
The kitchen and dining room were adjacent to each other, with no wall to separate the two of them. The dishes had been washed already, left in their stands to dry. A box of chocolates was on the table, but I could not partake of those as I was allergic.
Sayo had been kind enough to get me a package of dried fruit and so I helped myself before I went into the room to pull out my suitcase.
That was when the phone rang. It was my younger sister, whom I had not seen since I had left for University. She was as cheerful as ever, and I could tell she was as excited as I was to return. She had probably changed from the bubbly teenager to a wonderfully beautiful woman.
She bounced from topic to topic, from the latest gossip on television to family life. I missed home, and I was eager to see my parents again. But it was when she started that topic that I snapped.
"No Misao, I told you for the last time I will not go on a blind date." I shouldn't have sounded so irritated, but that was just what I felt. She had been pestering me for months about meeting someone she'd met in Kyoto. She claimed he was going to be perfect for me.
But I already had that someone. And that someone was gone.
"Oh Kaoru, get over it already!" Was her reply. "It's over! Aren't you sick of waiting? Will you stop hurting yourself? He's not coming back!"
My heart twisted with her cruel words, but inside I knew she was right.
He wasn't coming back.
My eyes filled with the tears that I had ignored earlier that day, and I felt my chest burn with the realization. When I never answered, Misao said softly, "Please. It won't hurt to meet him. You have to move on somehow…"
Taking a deep breath, I nodded. "Fine. I'll think about it." She was always like that, pushy and optimistic about everything. Unlike me, who tended to dwell in the past, she moved forward, never regretting.
"I'll see you by the end of this week." I promised, and she bade me a hearty farewell before hanging up.
I listened to the dial tone's flat line for a moment before putting the phone down. Then I pulled myself together, gathering my composure. It was stupid to feel sorry for myself. I would move forward, I was determined. For Misao's sake, and for mine.
As I set about putting my clothing in my suitcase, I couldn't help but think back on that story that the man had told me.
There was much more to that story than he knew. And in my mind, the story played itself out in a very different way.
A very different way.
I pray for this heart to be unbroken
But without you all I'm going to be is incomplete…
To Be Continued…….
AN: The chapter writes itself, and there's nothing I can do but be swept away by the current. Please tell me if you enjoyed this. This was just the prologue, but I hope some of you may have some guesses. As all authors here on this website like reviews, please be so kind as to leave me a few!
Thank you for reading!