Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is owned and copyrighted by Nobuhiro Watsuki,
Shueisha Jump, Sony Pictures Entertainment and other related parties. This
is only a fan fiction created by me (Nikki). I created it just to get me
out of boredom. Characters are used without permission.
Spoiler Warning: Lot's of spoilers. Read at your own risk.
***
This is my first fanfic for RK and I think I messed with this somehow especially with the title. It literally means, "Two hearts beat as one" which is a line I got from RK's second opening song, 1/2 sung by Kawamoto Makoto. (According to info which I get from the net, "Hanbun" is the proper title for the song) I think it really describes my fic for in here, Kenshin and Kaoru reveal their feelings to each other and are finally together. (good riddance!!!) I'm not good at titles and I had trouble with this. Well, amateurs, ya know! Hope you like it.
Updates: Pam-chan, Rubi-chan, Izel-chan, Pinky-chan, thanks for pre-reading this. I miss you all already! Mwaaaahhh!
Thank you to all who reviewed my work!!! [bows head down] All of your reviews are greatly appreciated! Doumo!!! I changed some of the Japanese terms to English (I spared the "oro" thing and the "dono" suffix though) to support a much greater audience, so, I hope you still like it.
Ni Ko No Shinzou Ga Kutsui Teku
Chapter One
The sun was up with its usual greeting to the sky and clouds, the rivers and lakes, the mountains and plants as well, although its very warmth was merely felt while the soft breezy autumn air was at its peak. Everything seems right.even if. but.Kaoru gave out a heavy sigh. What was she thinking? Quiet. That's the word that best describes this day. She thought looking at the dried leaves she was sweeping on the courtyard. There was no Yahiko or Sanosuke around.or even Megumi. All she heard was the soft rustle of the wind against the fallen autumn leaves, the slight chirping of birds and the sound of water and cloth sliding through Kenshin's hand while he was doing the laundry.
It's been almost five months since Enishi's Jinchuu occurred. And since then, many things changed. Sano escaped after a warrant of arrest was issued upon him. Yahiko choose to live his own way, he stayed at Sanosuke's former house (thinking he was of age and Sano told him to do so ) so he left. He would come by the dojo for some time, chatting with his teacher and Kenshin. On the other hand, things weren't the same anymore. Not that they were not good friends, but, things really change. Megumi went back to Aizu. The two girls were with Dr. Genzai on a vacation. And she and Kenshin were left alone as if it was planned to begin new things. But still, why, why why.
Why?. She sighed and paused looking at the empty corridor. Usually, Sanosuke and Yahiko were there when they were fighting over something. Sanosuke would punch Yahiko at the head and the enraged boy would do the same. They would complain and insult her cooking when she cooked the meal. While Megumi would come by teasing her about Kenshin's incompatibility with her.
But, still, she thought clutching the broom in her hand tightly. I miss them so much. She felt her lips curve an involuntary frown while her lids tried to cover the lingering tears which longed to drop. How she hoped those memories would still exist. How she wished they were still here.
Turning her head towards the gate even though she can't explain why she did so, she saw a tall familiar figure dressed in a blue, leather like pants matched with a blue long sleeve with his hand holding something which looked like a katana. Walking nearer the gate, the blur figure seemed to become clear. Saitou Hajime. She thought. What does he want now? She continued to say in her mind while putting aside her broom and walked to greet him.
"Good Morning." She cheerfully greeted bowing low. "What can I do for you?" she continued looking up at him slowly.
"Is Battousai home?" he queried his voice still confident and cold the same way they were since she last heard them.
"Yes, Kenshin is here." She retorted her cheerfulness torn but tried to hide it while she strongly emphasized Kenshin's name as if she was annoyed by Saitou calling him Battousai. "Please wait a moment. I'll call him for you" she continued walking him inside the yard.
***
"Kenshin..." Kaoru's voice rang through Kenshin's ear sweetly as music. There was really something in her voice which made his name sound special which trapped him in a kind of spell which nobody could possibly ever break but Kaoru alone. He questioned himself many times why he haven't asked her to marry him or even tell her he loved her. Hell, he knew she loved him too. They passed many things and up to now they were still together. It was just something Kenshin can't decide. It's as if he's trying to fight his feelings. Is it because of his past? His dark past as Hitokiri - Battousai? But Kaoru already told him many times; from the very first day they met that she didn't care about his past and that she appreciates and accepts all of Kenshin's. His soul, his crimes, the Battousai and all of him.
"Kenshin..." It went again. This time accompanied by faint footsteps slowly suggesting that Kaoru was getting nearer and nearer to him; the thing he always wanted. To be near her. But there was that invisible barrier that kept them apart. The barrier which Battousai made. Kenshin believed that because of him, Kaoru was endangered too may times. Just like when Jineh kidnapped her by the river. And lately, there was Enishi's Jinchuu. The time when Kenshin almost gave up on living because he thought she was dead. When he saw her dead body with a cross shaped scar on her cheek, her lifeless form pinned to the wall by Enishi's sword, he engraved it in his mind that it was all his fault. And all of those wouldn't happen if she hadn't met him. But no, it was a nightmare. A nightmare that haunted his heart and mind. And he thanked God he woke up from it.
I am not worthy of her. I would only endanger her. Kenshin thought. She's willing to give me everything that would make me happy, satisfied and complete. And what do I give her in return? A heavy burden loaded up by my past. That would never be called love. It would be selfishness if I keep her to myself. She needs to be happy. But I lo---
"Kenshin..." the voice repeated his name for the third time accompanied by Kaoru's gentle tap on his shoulder. That touch seemed to free him from the spell which separated him from dreams and reality.
"Oro!~ " Kenshin freaked out as his senses returned to him one by one. "I'm very sorry, Kaoru-dono." He said politely shifting his sight from the laundry in the wooden basin to Kaoru's face bowing his head low. "What can I do for you Kaoru-dono?" he asked looking up to her.
"Ummm, Saitou's waiting in the courtyard. I think he wants to talk to you." She returned looking to where she came from and then back to Kenshin.
Saitou. Kenshin whispered inwardly as his eyes flashed at the thought. What does he want now? I already turned Enishi to him. What does he want now? The question boggled his mind.
"Kenshin?." Kaoru's voice and eyes were part questioning part demanding. Questioning Kenshin's acts and demanding he see Saitou at once.
"Oro!" "Y-yes. I shall go and see him now." He returned as if he was trying to tell Kaoru everything's okay and fine.
Kaoru watched him stand up from where he was sitting cleaning up his hands and walked off to meet Saitou at the courtyard. Her blue eyes were filled with questions. She didn't understand why she felt this way to herself and to Kenshin. And Kenshin to herself. Something was wrong. Sure, it was usual for him to act that way, especially in front of her considering the politeness and the -dono suffix. But something was totally not right. Something out of the ordinary. Something very... different...
***
"Ah, you're here." Saitou greeted him with his usual coldness as Kenshin walked towards him. "I was beginning to get impatient." Focusing his sight to Kenshin's body standing next to him. "But I remembered Yamagata order me to bring something for you." He said while getting something from his pockets. "Here!" throwing him a small bag made of cloth tied with a string.
Kenshin carefully but quickly caught the bag. His violet eyes curious at the small bag at his hand which was neither heavy nor light.
"Open it... Saitou returned while cupping his hand to start the fire in his cigarette.
"Oro?!" Kenshin's eyes widened. His voice rang with a sense of puzzlement. The bag contained a handful of money. Enough to buy something very expensive, but even if he did, there would still be a lot to be left.
"Yamagata sent it. He said it was a sign of his gratitude for all the things you contributed to the government." Saitou explained punctuating the two sentences by smoking out the cigar's smoke while placing his other hand inside his pockets.
"I, I really don't need this kind and amount of money." Kenshin's voice was hesitant. His hand raised up to Saitou as if giving it back to him.
"Keep it." Saitou returned as he started to walk away. "You'll need it more than what you think you'll need it for" he added his voice part teasing and encouraging as he looked back to Kenshin with a slight grin then to Kaoru's far figure in the backyard sweeping the remainder of her work.
Kenshin gazed at Saitou's departing figure while walking out of the dojo leaving him puzzled and then shifted his gaze unto Kaoru. Kaoru. Kaoru. Kaoru. he thought. Her name echoing through him.
On to Chapter 2
Author's note:
1. This fic may look very selfish for it lacks many of the main characters. But on Sano and Megumi's part, they really both left after the Jinchuu arc with the same reasons stated above respectively. As for Yahiko, he did take Sano's house coz Sano told him."To give Kenshin and Kaoru some privacy" sometime in Volume 28 when he left for the U.S. (But on the extra volumes Watsuki-sensei made, he came back from China) Moreover, Kenshin and Kaoru got married and had this cute, cute baby boy, Kenji at the last volume. It is wrong that Saitou appear here because he also left and was commissioned in another town in Japan. His existence in my fic is only a plot building thing. (Sumimasen Saitou-san for belittling you) But, hey it's my fic and the very idea of Kenshin and Kaoru all alone is what makes me go crazy (believe me I was when I was writing it.)
2. For the money thing I really didn't put the exact amount (considering I wasn't born yet to know the exchange rate at that time! Gosh!!! 1880's!!! and I had a hard time scanning through books. The farthest year I saw was during the 1900's) and I was scared to mess history up so I decided to play safe.
4. Thanks to Nee-san Izel and Nee-san Pinky for listening to me when I was creating (Err, babbling) its pattern and encouraging me to improve it. Nee- san Izel, your attachment was good. But I prefer romance this time instead of comedy. (Usually, I hate romance and all those stuff, but when it comes to Kenshin and Kaoru, were talking different)
Spoiler Warning: Lot's of spoilers. Read at your own risk.
***
This is my first fanfic for RK and I think I messed with this somehow especially with the title. It literally means, "Two hearts beat as one" which is a line I got from RK's second opening song, 1/2 sung by Kawamoto Makoto. (According to info which I get from the net, "Hanbun" is the proper title for the song) I think it really describes my fic for in here, Kenshin and Kaoru reveal their feelings to each other and are finally together. (good riddance!!!) I'm not good at titles and I had trouble with this. Well, amateurs, ya know! Hope you like it.
Updates: Pam-chan, Rubi-chan, Izel-chan, Pinky-chan, thanks for pre-reading this. I miss you all already! Mwaaaahhh!
Thank you to all who reviewed my work!!! [bows head down] All of your reviews are greatly appreciated! Doumo!!! I changed some of the Japanese terms to English (I spared the "oro" thing and the "dono" suffix though) to support a much greater audience, so, I hope you still like it.
Ni Ko No Shinzou Ga Kutsui Teku
Chapter One
The sun was up with its usual greeting to the sky and clouds, the rivers and lakes, the mountains and plants as well, although its very warmth was merely felt while the soft breezy autumn air was at its peak. Everything seems right.even if. but.Kaoru gave out a heavy sigh. What was she thinking? Quiet. That's the word that best describes this day. She thought looking at the dried leaves she was sweeping on the courtyard. There was no Yahiko or Sanosuke around.or even Megumi. All she heard was the soft rustle of the wind against the fallen autumn leaves, the slight chirping of birds and the sound of water and cloth sliding through Kenshin's hand while he was doing the laundry.
It's been almost five months since Enishi's Jinchuu occurred. And since then, many things changed. Sano escaped after a warrant of arrest was issued upon him. Yahiko choose to live his own way, he stayed at Sanosuke's former house (thinking he was of age and Sano told him to do so ) so he left. He would come by the dojo for some time, chatting with his teacher and Kenshin. On the other hand, things weren't the same anymore. Not that they were not good friends, but, things really change. Megumi went back to Aizu. The two girls were with Dr. Genzai on a vacation. And she and Kenshin were left alone as if it was planned to begin new things. But still, why, why why.
Why?. She sighed and paused looking at the empty corridor. Usually, Sanosuke and Yahiko were there when they were fighting over something. Sanosuke would punch Yahiko at the head and the enraged boy would do the same. They would complain and insult her cooking when she cooked the meal. While Megumi would come by teasing her about Kenshin's incompatibility with her.
But, still, she thought clutching the broom in her hand tightly. I miss them so much. She felt her lips curve an involuntary frown while her lids tried to cover the lingering tears which longed to drop. How she hoped those memories would still exist. How she wished they were still here.
Turning her head towards the gate even though she can't explain why she did so, she saw a tall familiar figure dressed in a blue, leather like pants matched with a blue long sleeve with his hand holding something which looked like a katana. Walking nearer the gate, the blur figure seemed to become clear. Saitou Hajime. She thought. What does he want now? She continued to say in her mind while putting aside her broom and walked to greet him.
"Good Morning." She cheerfully greeted bowing low. "What can I do for you?" she continued looking up at him slowly.
"Is Battousai home?" he queried his voice still confident and cold the same way they were since she last heard them.
"Yes, Kenshin is here." She retorted her cheerfulness torn but tried to hide it while she strongly emphasized Kenshin's name as if she was annoyed by Saitou calling him Battousai. "Please wait a moment. I'll call him for you" she continued walking him inside the yard.
***
"Kenshin..." Kaoru's voice rang through Kenshin's ear sweetly as music. There was really something in her voice which made his name sound special which trapped him in a kind of spell which nobody could possibly ever break but Kaoru alone. He questioned himself many times why he haven't asked her to marry him or even tell her he loved her. Hell, he knew she loved him too. They passed many things and up to now they were still together. It was just something Kenshin can't decide. It's as if he's trying to fight his feelings. Is it because of his past? His dark past as Hitokiri - Battousai? But Kaoru already told him many times; from the very first day they met that she didn't care about his past and that she appreciates and accepts all of Kenshin's. His soul, his crimes, the Battousai and all of him.
"Kenshin..." It went again. This time accompanied by faint footsteps slowly suggesting that Kaoru was getting nearer and nearer to him; the thing he always wanted. To be near her. But there was that invisible barrier that kept them apart. The barrier which Battousai made. Kenshin believed that because of him, Kaoru was endangered too may times. Just like when Jineh kidnapped her by the river. And lately, there was Enishi's Jinchuu. The time when Kenshin almost gave up on living because he thought she was dead. When he saw her dead body with a cross shaped scar on her cheek, her lifeless form pinned to the wall by Enishi's sword, he engraved it in his mind that it was all his fault. And all of those wouldn't happen if she hadn't met him. But no, it was a nightmare. A nightmare that haunted his heart and mind. And he thanked God he woke up from it.
I am not worthy of her. I would only endanger her. Kenshin thought. She's willing to give me everything that would make me happy, satisfied and complete. And what do I give her in return? A heavy burden loaded up by my past. That would never be called love. It would be selfishness if I keep her to myself. She needs to be happy. But I lo---
"Kenshin..." the voice repeated his name for the third time accompanied by Kaoru's gentle tap on his shoulder. That touch seemed to free him from the spell which separated him from dreams and reality.
"Oro!~ " Kenshin freaked out as his senses returned to him one by one. "I'm very sorry, Kaoru-dono." He said politely shifting his sight from the laundry in the wooden basin to Kaoru's face bowing his head low. "What can I do for you Kaoru-dono?" he asked looking up to her.
"Ummm, Saitou's waiting in the courtyard. I think he wants to talk to you." She returned looking to where she came from and then back to Kenshin.
Saitou. Kenshin whispered inwardly as his eyes flashed at the thought. What does he want now? I already turned Enishi to him. What does he want now? The question boggled his mind.
"Kenshin?." Kaoru's voice and eyes were part questioning part demanding. Questioning Kenshin's acts and demanding he see Saitou at once.
"Oro!" "Y-yes. I shall go and see him now." He returned as if he was trying to tell Kaoru everything's okay and fine.
Kaoru watched him stand up from where he was sitting cleaning up his hands and walked off to meet Saitou at the courtyard. Her blue eyes were filled with questions. She didn't understand why she felt this way to herself and to Kenshin. And Kenshin to herself. Something was wrong. Sure, it was usual for him to act that way, especially in front of her considering the politeness and the -dono suffix. But something was totally not right. Something out of the ordinary. Something very... different...
***
"Ah, you're here." Saitou greeted him with his usual coldness as Kenshin walked towards him. "I was beginning to get impatient." Focusing his sight to Kenshin's body standing next to him. "But I remembered Yamagata order me to bring something for you." He said while getting something from his pockets. "Here!" throwing him a small bag made of cloth tied with a string.
Kenshin carefully but quickly caught the bag. His violet eyes curious at the small bag at his hand which was neither heavy nor light.
"Open it... Saitou returned while cupping his hand to start the fire in his cigarette.
"Oro?!" Kenshin's eyes widened. His voice rang with a sense of puzzlement. The bag contained a handful of money. Enough to buy something very expensive, but even if he did, there would still be a lot to be left.
"Yamagata sent it. He said it was a sign of his gratitude for all the things you contributed to the government." Saitou explained punctuating the two sentences by smoking out the cigar's smoke while placing his other hand inside his pockets.
"I, I really don't need this kind and amount of money." Kenshin's voice was hesitant. His hand raised up to Saitou as if giving it back to him.
"Keep it." Saitou returned as he started to walk away. "You'll need it more than what you think you'll need it for" he added his voice part teasing and encouraging as he looked back to Kenshin with a slight grin then to Kaoru's far figure in the backyard sweeping the remainder of her work.
Kenshin gazed at Saitou's departing figure while walking out of the dojo leaving him puzzled and then shifted his gaze unto Kaoru. Kaoru. Kaoru. Kaoru. he thought. Her name echoing through him.
On to Chapter 2
Author's note:
1. This fic may look very selfish for it lacks many of the main characters. But on Sano and Megumi's part, they really both left after the Jinchuu arc with the same reasons stated above respectively. As for Yahiko, he did take Sano's house coz Sano told him."To give Kenshin and Kaoru some privacy" sometime in Volume 28 when he left for the U.S. (But on the extra volumes Watsuki-sensei made, he came back from China) Moreover, Kenshin and Kaoru got married and had this cute, cute baby boy, Kenji at the last volume. It is wrong that Saitou appear here because he also left and was commissioned in another town in Japan. His existence in my fic is only a plot building thing. (Sumimasen Saitou-san for belittling you) But, hey it's my fic and the very idea of Kenshin and Kaoru all alone is what makes me go crazy (believe me I was when I was writing it.)
2. For the money thing I really didn't put the exact amount (considering I wasn't born yet to know the exchange rate at that time! Gosh!!! 1880's!!! and I had a hard time scanning through books. The farthest year I saw was during the 1900's) and I was scared to mess history up so I decided to play safe.
4. Thanks to Nee-san Izel and Nee-san Pinky for listening to me when I was creating (Err, babbling) its pattern and encouraging me to improve it. Nee- san Izel, your attachment was good. But I prefer romance this time instead of comedy. (Usually, I hate romance and all those stuff, but when it comes to Kenshin and Kaoru, were talking different)