Hello, this is ChiChanz =). I had not written a fanfic for years but I have fallen in love with Rurouni Kenshin and his story. The character I do wish most to write about, is actually Soujirou. After his part of the story ended, I can't help wanting a continuation of his journey. So I decided, why not make a story about him? I would have loved to adopt him as a child. It would be awesome to watch him grow up.
First of all, I would like to thank Sileavatar for all his input and proofreading for this piece of work. I would not have continued without him.
This story takes place after Soujirou got beaten by Kenshin. Soujirou embarks on a 10-year journey of self-discovery. Unsure of the future, he sets off away from Shishio Makoto's fortress and into the world.
Soujirou stepped off the bridge, covering his eyes from the sun. The heat bore down on him as he looked around stoically.
Not a human in sight.
He has no place to go, no home to return to and no one to find. Walking along the forest, Soujirou felt lost. All his life, he lived by the sword, smiling in the face of hatred and believing that only the strongest will survive. He fought for so long, ignoring the quiet whispers of pain in his heart.
He was alone.
There was a sudden explosion that shook the earth and he spun around. Smoke rose from the fortress.
"Looks like there's a winner now. Goodbye Shishio or Kenshin. You are both my teachers. If you are alive, perhaps we shall meet someday," Soujirou said quietly, watching the smoke cover the sun. He was smiling in reflex again. But ten years of smiling politely would not disappear in one day.
He stood for a while after staring at the smoky sky before he heard the crack of a twig. Anji appeared with a miserable Hoji on his back. Tilting his head in question, Soujirou watched Anji set Hoji down. Hoji howled in sorrow, "Shishio-sama..."
Glaring at Anji, he yelled, "Why did you save me? I could have joined Shishio-sama."
"Ahh... So Shishio-sama died," Soujiro stared off the distance. Judging that there were no signs of Yumi-san, he looked at Anji, "did Yumi-san die by his side?"
By Anji's forlorn silence, he concluded it to be true.
Strange... how strange. Even though his mentor of 10 years had passed, he did not feel anything but acceptance. That was the path that Shishio-sama had chosen and staked his life upon. Himura was certainly a formidable opponent. Did Himura-san manage to survive? Clearly it was no ordinary fight.
With the last thought in mind, he turned to the remaining two of the Juppongatana, " Well, it is time for me to leave. I wish you adieu," He walked down the nearest forest path.
"What are you going to do now?" Anji asked.
"To find my truth, just as my teachers had done before," he smiled casually and left Anji and the weeping Hoji behind.
And that was the start of Soujirou's journey as a rurouni.
It was not long before he came by a river in the forest. Sitting by the trickling stream, he took a few mouthfuls of water and ate a riceball which he took from the kitchen before leaving.
A faint whimper reached his ears as he peeked up. Carefully, he took his sword – an inferior, temporary replacement for his shattered Kiku Ichimonji Norimune - and crept along the bushes to the source of the quiet whimper. Under one of the bushes, laid a small brown puppy. It was curled up under the body of its mother. From the bite wounds on the dead corpse, it was apparent that a bear won the fight. However, the mother successfully protected her child from being eaten.
Soujirou looked at the puppy.
If you are strong you live, if you are weak, you die.
"I don't understand. Why do you fight so hard to protect the weak?"
If it's not too late, don't you think you can still start over?
Trying hard not to induce another relentless headache, he scooped the weeping brown puppy up to his arms. The animal curled up against the warmth of his chest and stayed there as Soujirou trekked through the forest until he reached the edge of Kyoto. It fell asleep and made little snores, tired from the trauma and pain that happened in one day.
"I guess we have to find a place to settle down," Soujirou stroked it's fur absentmindedly. It was strange to have something so defenseless and helpless to be relying on him. That went against every logic he had for the past 10 years. Wondering if Kenshin had a point, he put the puppy down and looked for a hut to stay. The puppy looked at him, tilting its head and wagging its curled tail. It must be hungry huh? Soujirou observed as the creature nuzzled his leg.
Most of the hut owners saw the puppy and refused Soujirou immediately. Nobody wanted a random poop or puddle in the middle of their rooms or hallways. Soujirou scratched his head, "My, that's quite troublesome." He smiled in reflex again.
The sky had turned twilight and there was no place to stay. As Soujirou walked past a forested pathway, he heard a girl's voice, "Puppy!"
He spun around and saw a girl of average height, bending over to pat the little puppy. The puppy wagged its tail in delight of a new friend. She had strawberry brown eyes and light brown hair that hang loose had its ends tied up with a pink barette. A sakura flower clip rested on her ear. Her light yellow kimono sleeves dusted the ground as she stroke the furry canine. She was rather pleasant looking.
"What is his name?" She grinned at him.
"Huh?" Soujirou smiled, tilting his head. "Ah... I am sorry, Miss. I do not know his name. If you wish to name him, please feel free to do so."
The girl looked confused...
"He has been following you. Doesn't the puppy belong to you?" She inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"Haha... I just picked him up in the forest today. He was alone since his mom died. But I can't get into an inn with him around," he scratched his head sheepishly.
"Oh... We own a tea house, would you like to stay with us? This precious sweetie wouldn't be too much of a hassle." The girl smiled sweetly. Her hand was shaking the puppy's paw.
"If you will have me, I would appreciate it," Soujirou bowed his head politely. He caught a glimpse of a certain glint in her eyes as he bowed.
Well, I have my sword beside me.
"I am Kisa Ichigo. What is yours?" She turned to the forest path and looked at him, raising her eyebrows.
"Pleased to meet you, Ichigo-San. I am Soujirou Seta."
And they made their way down the forested path to the tea house.
What will happen to Soujirou there? =3
That is Chapter 1 for now. Thank you so much for reading. I am really excited to continue writing his story and I hope you enjoyed it too.
Tune in to Chapter 2 soon =)
