Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic

Rurouni Kenshin & Samurai X Original Japanese Version © N.Watsuki/Shueisha Fuji-TV SME Visual Works Inc. Sony Pictures Entertainment

All Fanfics created by Chiruken (me) were written for the sole purpose of shared entertainment and not intended for publication or sale.

Held Within A Single Fragrant Blossom

By: Chiruken

Chapter 1

It happened again. Like every time before he only caught a brief glimpse, but it was more than enough. The after image remained long in his mind's eye after the vision faded and vanished. He could close his eyes and see every detail clearly. It had occurred often enough that he'd managed to catch every minute detail and imprint it deep in his memory.

No one believed him, of course. It was considered just another random moment of insanity on his part and further proof that he wasn't ready to face the "real" world yet. He didn't care. He knew what he'd seen and it didn't matter to him what anyone else thought. He'd never cared much what others thought of him, not before and certainly not now.

He was content where he was. To leave would mean to never see the vision again and to him that was unacceptable. He cherished each and every brief glimpse, every momentary flash, everything. The thought of being sent away, of never seeing her again, was intolerable in his mind and he was prepared to do anything to prevent the separation.

What did he care of the world beyond the walls of his confinement? What did the "real" world have to offer him? The answer was simple. Nothing. Outside of his safe haven was violence and recurring nightmares. As long as he remained where he was, he could pretend the nightmares never occurred, that his past was clean, that he was nothing more than another person going about the daily routine of life and living. If he were cast out, sent on his way, he'd have no choice but to face up to reality and he wasn't willing to do that.

He leaned back against the coolness of the wall and closed his eyes, a peaceful expression softening his features as he returned to the memories he held close to his heart. They were armor against the darkness residing within his soul, a ray of light leading him forward away from the abyss that awaited him.

First, he envisioned her eyes…blue, like a deep lake on a clear and cloudless day. Beautiful, serene, they were filled with quiet acceptance and no trace of censure like he saw in so many others eyes. A soft sigh escaped him before he could stop it. It had been so long since anyone had looked at him with eyes that held no hate or fear. He'd almost forgotten what it was like.

He wished he could see her face better, but every time she appeared to him, her features were blurred, hiding minute details beyond the slight curve of her cheek or the way her lips formed into a perfect smile. He imagined she would be beautiful, but not so much in worldly beauty as in spiritual beauty. Her face, her form, they could very well be pleasing to the eyes, but he felt it was her heart and soul that would shine through and dominate his senses if he ever got the opportunity to see her clearly.

He knew she had dark hair, long and rich, flowing down her back from a high ponytail held in place with a pink ribbon. Somehow he felt blue would be more appropriate for her. It would have to be something to match the depth of her eyes, a dark indigo perhaps. The dark strands framed her face perfectly, contrasting strikingly with the pale perfection of her complexion, curling against her cheeks with light caresses in a breeze he couldn't feel.

He longed to know who she really was. Or rather, what she was. He suspected that she wasn't of the world of the living, yet oddly enough, the thought didn't frighten him as he knew it should. She would appear always the same, unchanging, dressed in a pale lilac kimono with tiny pink flowers dotting the fabric, clothing from a time long passed, yet she wore it with ease and no sign of stiffness or discomfort as so many did when dressed in traditional clothing for festivals and special occasions. Her obi was expertly tied, the material a deep shade of plum with white lines cutting through the dark hues in stunning contrast.

Whenever he saw her, she appeared to be carrying something, but he'd never managed to see clearly what it was. At times he'd almost thought it was a branch with flowers of some kind, yet he could never be certain. She always held it in her left hand, the side furthest from his limited view. He wondered if her spirit was forever trapped to the world of the living, unable to move on because of some perceived unfinished business as was the current popular belief amongst those who believed in such things. Or perhaps she was waiting for someone who would never appear. He didn't know and he longed to. He wanted to know everything about her. She had become his obsession from the first moment he'd seen her standing beneath the ancient tree in the walled garden at the back of the building he was housed in. Despite the coldness of the night and the snow beneath her feet, she appeared unaffected by the temperature and no puffs of condensation appeared before her face. It was when he saw that detail that he knew something extraordinary was occurring.

He often wondered if he approached her if she would remain or disappear like a mirage. She didn't seem to have a set schedule when she appeared or he would have attempted some kind of contact already, even if it meant risking the wrath of his "keepers". There was hope that he would get a chance in the days to come. There had been discussions of allowing him private time in the garden, supervised of course. He frowned a little at the thought, wondering just who they were trying to protect within the confines of the walled garden. He had no intention of causing harm to the flowers or the trees, yet they seemed to be particularly nervous of allowing him even that small amount of freedom.

Slowly he opened his eyes, revealing the striking amber gaze that many feared seeing return to his features. His lips curved upwards into a condescending smirk. If he truly wished to escape, he would have done so long before now. However, he was content to remain where he was…for the time being. When the time arrived that he was no longer content no walls could ever hold him if he didn't allow it. Those in charge of his confinement and "treatment" hadn't unlocked all of his secrets and he didn't intend that they ever would. There were certain things they were better off not knowing…better for him, safer for them.