Dolphins Brought Me Here
By Reina Ethelion
Lord of the Rings and Rurouni Kenshin belong to their respective creators and publishers. I'm just borrowing them for my own amusement and I promise to return them whole and recognizable when I'm done. The plot and new characters and places came from the (scary) depths of my imagination; so if it's possible to hold a copyright to them, well, consider them copyrighted! No money is being made and no infringement is intended.
Thanks for choosing to read my fanfiction! I'd love to know what you think. Constructive criticism and lavish praise--- if I actually get that, although I very much doubt it--- are highly welcome but please, no flames. This is my first story. Enjoy ;o)
Chapter One
It was late afternoon and the sky was streaked with hues of gold, orange, and pink. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore mingled with the cries of seabirds and the chirping of crickets. A cool breeze ruffled fifteen-year-old Akanami's long raven-black hair as she stood on a cliff, staring at the horizon, admiring the way the setting sun's reddish light shimmered on the blue ocean.
Her father had loved the lazy magnificence of the sunset. It signifies rest after a long day of work, he'd said, but he had loved the fresh beauty of sunrise even more. The sunrise symbolizes hope, a new beginning. In times of chaos, we can always have hope and the promise of starting all over again, even if we've lost everything else.
An aching heaviness settled in Akanami's heart as it always did when she thought of her father and her life before the revolution. If Otousan were alive today, would he be proud of me? Of what I have become? A wry, self-depreciating smile lifted the corners of her mouth as her fingers absentmindedly closed over the hilt of her katana. Probably not, although I made the same decision as he did when he was young, to fight for a new world. I am only following in the footsteps of Battousai! It was unbelievable that her father's legend had survived until now, seven years after his death. It was a testimony to his greatness.
But, then again, Himura Kenshin had never been proud of his greatness. His legend had shamed him.
Akanami's violet eyes widened when she saw a school of dolphins break through the previously calm surface of the water. She watched in silent reverence as the delightful creatures frolicked, flipping over, leaping high into the air, their bodies contorting into perfect arcs, before splashing back into the ocean. They were so graceful, so full of life…
"Hitokiri Akanami!" bellowed a deep, angry voice, shattering the tranquil atmosphere.
Nani?! Akanami whirled around to see a large, heavyset man with a beard and a fierce expression on his face brandishing a sword. How did he know who she was? In this quiet fishing village in Japan, no one was supposed to know her identity, or her purpose for being here.
A spy! she realized with a touch of dread. Someone in their organization was working for the government, providing them with top-secret information. I must warn the others.
Forcing herself to maintain a serene composure, she asked, "Who are you?"
"I am Genso Takitou," the man replied, "and I've been sent to kill you, daughter of Battousai! Although," he added with a scoff, glancing at her petite frame, "I can see I won't be having too much trouble."
Akanami's eyes narrowed dangerously as she assumed her fighting stance. Many had dismissed her as weak, and some had mockingly called her a midget, but what they hadn't known until it was too late was that she had inherited Kenshin's small, skinny build--- and his deadly talent.
Genso wanted to laugh out loud. It was hard to believe that this tiny chit was one of the most feared assassins of the age… Why, she looked as if a good strong blow would knock her senseless! He started to advance, but something about her slanted eyes sent a cold shiver running down his spine. Once they had been pure violet; now they were tinged with an unnatural golden light. The rage of the hitokiri. Genso took a cautious step backward. Those eyes bored into his, never blinking, promising certain death.
Baka! You're being ridiculous! he chastised himself. There is nothing to fear from this little girl. "Well, why aren't you moving?" he demanded when several seconds had passed and she had not attacked. "Are you afraid?"
"You insinuated the challenge," she reminded him coolly.
She's near the edge of the cliff. If only I can make her fall off… With a mighty roar, Genso rushed towards Akanami and was soon upon her in a flurry of precise, well-timed strokes. Akanami had no difficulty parrying, but he was forcing her backwards… his intent was to drive her off the cliff… He raised his sword and she saw her chance. "Now you die," he growled, but before he could bring the blade down on her head, she disappeared.
"Oro?" Genso wondered out loud. "Where did she go?" He looked up, and what he saw filled him with mind-numbing terror. She was high in the air above him, posed in what he recognized as Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu! She gave him no time to do anything except step aside a bit, and then her katana sliced neatly into his right shoulder.
A cry of pain burst from his throat and his sword dropped to the soft green grass as he clamped a hand over the wound, feeling warm blood trickle down his arm. His enemy stood a few feet away from him, regarding him with a calm expression on her face. "If you hadn't moved, you would be dead by now," she stated matter-of-factly before she charged towards him and drove her sword through his stomach. Paying no heed to the blood that spattered on her pale face, she pulled the katana out again, knowing there was no way he could survive such an injury.
Gasping, Genso staggered backwards. He was still breathing. Akanami lifted an eyebrow, impressed by his toughness. She was about to deliver the killing blow when, suddenly, he stumbled over the edge of the cliff. His hand shot up and grabbed the edge, and he screamed as the life slowly drained out of him while he dangled over the ocean.
Sheathing her sword, Akanami went to him, gazing down into his terrified brown eyes. "Just let go," she said softly. "You can't climb back up, and I'm certainly not going to help you. That's a fatal wound you've received. Let go and end your suffering." In her mind's eye she saw her father, stern and solemn. Akanami, I was never proud of what I did during the Tokugawa era… I became a wanderer, swearing never to kill again… Violence results in more violence… Nothing worthwhile can be accomplished by the shedding of blood… You can't change the world with a slash of your sword… Remember that…
And the only reply she could think of was, I'm sorry, Otousan.
I can't let this brat defeat me, Genso thought frantically, even as his fingers were losing their grip. His gaze slid to her foot, and inspiration struck. If he was going to die, he could at least take her with him and complete his mission! Before Akanami could react, he grabbed her foot and both of them plummeted into the ocean. She struggled, but he was big and his grasp was surprisingly strong for a dying man's.
Akanami's mind went blank the moment the ice-cold water closed over her head. She let out a scream, and saltwater rushed into her lungs, choking her. Wildly she flailed her legs, and her foot slid from Genso's fingers. She needed air… she tried to swim to the surface, but her arms were suddenly limp… And then she saw her parents swimming towards her, hands outstretched.
Otousan, Okaasan… Weren't they dead? She was too tired to think anymore, and she reached out for her mother's hand… but the closer they got near her, the farther she floated away… Suddenly something rose beneath her, lifting her up to the surface. The image of her parents disappeared and Akanami managed to turn on her stomach… A large gray fish… A dolphin?! Her eyes widened, and she realized how much the seawater hurt them.
Closing her eyes, she wrapped both arms around the slippery body of her unlikely savior. After what seemed like an eternity, her head came above the water and she gratefully inhaled the air in huge, voracious gulps. But she was too weak to swim to shore… she felt faint…
The last thing Akanami remembered before she passed out was a group of dolphins surrounding her, and one of them carrying her towards the sunset.
End of Chapter One
GLOSSARY
Otousan- father
Okaasan- mother
Nani- what?
Oro- huh?
Baka- idiot
Hitokiri- shadow assassin or manslayer
You know, my first draft of this was much better, but I accidentally deleted it *is disgusted with self*. I'd appreciate it if you have some tips to improve this chappie. Oh, and let me know if you like my idea. *glances at Review button and whistles nonchalantly… even though I don't know how to whistle…*
Time now for a cold refreshing drink. Mmm… mango shake… ;o)