Twice the Debauchery
A Rurouni Kenshin Fan-Fiction
Synopsis: Two months into dating, Kenshin and Kaoru live deceptively mundane lives. Kaoru, 21 years old, studies at a high-ranking university in Tokyo as a music major. Kenshin, 32, is a successful and well-respected neurosurgeon at the local hospital. Despite their strong mutual feelings, both have been hiding a very big secret: they are both assassins working under adversarial syndicates. During their last assignment, they cross paths on opposite sides of the coin.
PART ONE: I WAS FEELING DOWN, BUT THEN I MET YOU
Kaoru: I loved days like these – when rain clouds were large against an otherwise sunny sky and ready to burst over with serendipitous summer showers. Per usual, I cut across the central park to get to the other side of the street. Though, today I took my time strolling through the longer path that overlooked intricate gardens.
At first subtle sprinkles, the soft padding water turned profuse with heavy raindrops; though, I really didn't mind getting soaked. The scenescape was lush and vibrant with greenery. Small ripples beset upon the typically still pond waters, creating a cascading serenade that was soothing and tranquil to the senses. Small tree birds played in the skies, chasing one another under the downpour in celebration of life.
Of all days I was wearing a white blouse and nude pencil skirt. I didn't want my clothes to become any more transparent, so I took temporary shelter in a gazebo nestled along the pathway. That was another thing I liked about rainy days, it chased others away. I took a seat on the bench that faced towards the small koi pond that was isolated and elevated from the rest of the streams of water. I placed my black contoured case across my lap, clicking open the latches on each end. A gift from my late father, she was a beauty – better yet, a Scott Cao D'Egville.
I nuzzled the chin rest between my jaw and collarbone, pointing the bow toward the fingerboard. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, listening to the sound of the world. I strummed the bow gently in long colorful strokes that conveyed the depth of my current disposition. Gratitude, and the bitter-sweet feeling of a passing peace. I riveted the bow against the strings in a g-major to create a deep vibrational hum in between the melody. I felt a presence behind me in the distance, though I continued to play.
Whoever it was, they waited until I was finished to join me under shelter, perhaps in an effort not to startle me. I dropped my arms, instruments in hand, and turned over my shoulder towards the heightening splashes of footsteps.
Handsome. He wore a dark blue cuffed dress shirt, grey slacks fastened by a fancy belt, and long-winged brogues. Short yet robust in stature, his eyes were a dazzling amethyst, and his long deep-red hair was bound at the nape of his neck in a low ponytail. Despite the crossed-shape scar on his left cheek, he possessed a gentleness to him.
"May I join you, Miss?" Even the way he spoke conveyed a seasoned wisdom, though his appearance was youthful.
"Please." I bowed delicately and quickly out of habitual mannerism. "Mind if I continue to play?"
"I'd love for that."
Kenshin: She was beautiful – from her bewitching sapphire eyes to her virtuoso as an artist. Her ebony hair was long and messily pinned up, stray strands slick with water droplets clung to her face and neck. The white mesh blouse she was adorned in was soaked and translucent, revealing a lacy black undergarment. She started to hum a velvety harmony as she played the string instrument with dexterity and familiarity.
I glanced at my wrist watch – it was 2:47 pm – which meant I had about twenty-five minutes left of my break. I was grateful that for some serendipitous reason, I had been craving a matcha late from the little café across the park from the hospital I worked at. Since I drove, I seldom came across this trail – if ever.
She finished with the last of the rainfall, and I felt a sting of child-like disappointment. Soothing and revitalizing, I could listen to her all day if possible.
"Very beautiful."
"Me or the music?" She chuckled as she put away the instrument in its case.
"The music." I sputtered out, slightly embarrassed by her question. "You. Both." Heat pooled at my cheeks and neck, evident of my flushed state. She laughed heartily and flashed a wide stunning smile.
"Which way are you headed?"
"West," I pointed toward the general direction of the path, "toward Takana Hospital."
"Mind if I walk with you?" Her cheeks were rosy, and she was all smiles.
"I'd like for that."
We walked through the remaining gardens and talked lightly about our days. A music major at a prestigious university, she just finished up class and was on her way to teach at the studio her family owned. She was surprised when I mentioned I was a neurosurgeon, claiming that I looked too young.
"Kamiya, Kaoru." She courteously bowed before sifting into the front pocket of her shoulder bag for a business card. "Please, stop by. I'll play for you anytime."
"I certainly will."
A month would pass before I saw her again.
A short light-hearted one-shot split into three parts. Enjoy