Nikki's Notes: This is my first Rurouni Kenshin fic (though it has been my fave for years). Hope you guys enjoy this. Obviously based on Soujiro A.K.A Mr. Smiley and later on some Misao and Soujiro goodness. (Dang, I love innocent-looking bishounens!). By the way, I don't own either the series or Mr. Seta. I wont give y'all a reason to sue me.
Prologue
Blood stains in the snow were a familiar scenario to him, except that the fluid which marked the icy ground was that of another man he killed a very long time ago. But that was very far from his memories now, back then when he was still unclear of his endeavors and his childish dreams still filled with vengeance. He asked himself: What had become of me? Grief started to overcome his feelings and made his eyes flicker and teary. Maybe I deserve this. Maybe not.
As he felt every drop of life flow out from his open wounds, he was running out of breaths to take. Every hole that the bullets had punched through his body gave him a couple more minutes to taste the last moments of life. He could not even feel the snow beneath him nor hear the sounds of the bamboos hitting each other from the cold rush of wind. No anything. Just pain… and later on… a familiar face appearing from above his head.
He knew her, not for a long time but he knew her completely. The way she walks, the magic of her stare and how she would smile back when he does his usual grin. Misao…. My sweet Misao….
Unlike any other painful moments that they have endured together, she was silent, watching him as tears slowly fell from her crystal eyes. Painful but quiet sobs filled his ears but when he tried to raise a hand to wipe her tears away, fate would not let him. How could it be so cruel that he could not show her his undying affection and let him touch her one last time? He tried more and more, all in vain. But, loving like she always was, she moved her own hand closer to him and wiped his own tears instead. That was the only time that he realized he was crying, too.
With her caresses, an honest smile emerged from his bloody lips. And like a mirror, she smiled back. Then he laid there. Motionless.
He never moved again.