Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin and that is my final word!
Okay, this is a new one for me. I guess I'll see who'll read it.
Child of a Demon
Ye…the purest of pure…shall be mine…
What do you want from me?
Ye shall carry my posterity…thou, who has never seen a man…
All right…
"Sakura-chan, are you all right?"
Blue eyes opened, drowsy from their owner's late afternoon nap. She sat up, rubbing them. She turned her head of wild red hair to the door. "Yes, I'm all right, Tou-san!"
She put on a kimono, deep blue with silver flowers stitched into the fabric, tying an obi partially loose around her middle, midnight black. She brushed her hair down till it was smooth to her waist, then tied it up in a simple bun, pushing a couple of pins in it to make sure it wouldn't fall out while she was walking. She then put on make-up to hide any blemishes on her face from the world, putting cherry blossom perfume on each side of her neck.
She stood and opened the shoji to her room, sighing as she held her round abdomen. I had that dream again. I wonder if what the neighbors say is true about me, that I am carrying the child of the devil.
A shorter, elderly man was getting ready to leave the house, as she stepped around the corner. "Tou-san, are you going somewhere?"
The man looked up. "Yes, my daughter. Do you wish to speak with me?"
"Yes, Tou-san."
"Very well then, you will walk with me tonight."
The pair left with two bodyguards, the girl walking behind her father.
"So, what did you need to talk to this old man about?"
"Tou-san, do you think I'm carrying the child of a devil?"
"Whoever did you hear that from, Sakura-chan? Of course it's not true. You are a virtuous young woman, just fifteen. You will make a good wife, once you have borne this child into the world. I've already promised you to someone right here in Kyoto."
"I see. Will I like him?"
"You will have to decide that for yourself, my girl."
Just then, there was a scream from the guard in front of them, along with a spray of red. The girl stifled a gasp, as she was shoved into the alley next to her. She peeked out to see a boy around her age slice through her father with his sword like he wasn't even there. She spotted his cross-shaped scar, just as he glanced up to see her. She gasped and started to run.
He saw me…I have to get to a place where he wouldn't dare to enter. But where?!
Without her knowing, her feet headed towards the safest place for a Shogunate supporter to go to: the headquarters of the Shinsengumi. The two men guarding the gates spotted her and raised their swords.
"Who goes there?"
She came into the light, panting heavily. "Help me, there's a hitokiri…"
Just then, Soji Okita stepped out, in full uniform, with his squad. He pointed at the boy who'd stopped, realizing where he was. "It's the hitokiri! After him!"
They went off on a chase, while the girl, Sakura, leaned against the gate, panting and holding her abdomen.
"Girl, who are you that the most dangerous of hitokiri of the Ishin Shishi, Hitokiri Battosai, has come for your life?"
She looked up to see a man with narrow yellow eyes, black hair pulled back in a short high ponytail, a few pieces hanging in his eyes. He wore full Shinsengumi uniform, a single sword on his belt.
"My father was a widely-known Shogunate supporter. He was killed just tonight, and I escaped, because I saw him."
"Your name, girl?"
"Himura…Sakura, sir," she introduced, bowing deep.
"Hm. Saito Hajime, captain of the third squad. I'll go wake my commander and tell him that we're going to protect you, Himura-chan. You must've been desperate to outrun the Battosai. He is the fastest runner around these parts, I've heard."
"Oh, I see, Saito-taisho."
"Either that, or you're the luckiest civilian in Kyoto. None escape that aren't excellent swordsmen."
Sakura nodded, shivering a little as she followed him into the compound. Saito headed for the commander's room, but found Commander Kondo, Vice-commander Hijikata and Vice-commander Yaminami already awake and dressed informally.
"Hajime," Kondo addressed. "We were alerted that Hitokiri Battosai was spotted near here. Do you know the cause?"
"Yes, he was seen killing by this girl." Saito pushed Sakura forward. "This is Himura Sakura."
She bowed low again, staying there until she was allowed up, even though it killed her back with how heavy she was in the front.
"Hmmm, this could work to our advantage. If the hitokiri decides to try and kill her, we'll have her guarded by some of our best men. Hajime, you and Soji work together to keep her alive. Himura-san, have you any skills in cooking, perhaps?"
She rose and nodded. "Yes, I do. I was to become a bride to someone my father was associated with in just two months. But…I don't know who he would be, so I'm left with nothing."
"Then you'll work here to earn your keep, as our cook. Soji, when he comes back, will tell you what to do."
She nodded. Hijikata gave her a good look over and stated, "Commander, are you sure you want to keep a woman like her here? Why not give her to one of our safe houses?"
Sakura looked down and placed her hands in front of her, trying not to cradle her baby. What if they kick me out? Then I'll be killed before I even get to see my baby. To see whether or not it's a devil child.
"The safest place she could be is here, though it might be difficult on the men in the months to come. Hajime, show her to her room, the spare one near the kitchen."
Saito bowed. "Yes, sir."
Sakura bowed as well, though deeper than he did. "I thank you for your kindness."
When she'd left, Yamanami pushed his glasses up his nose, smiling. "She seems to be quite the brave girl. Most women wouldn't even come near here because of our nickname, the 'Wolves of Mibu', but she came here without hesitation."
Hijikata snorted. "Probably because she had no choice. We are the enemy of the Ishin Shishi, thus, the Battosai. He would be a fool to come in here with so many of us now expecting him by morning. I suppose Soji ought to chase him away from her for the time being. Though we are going against one of the best swordsmen we've ever encountered."
Kondo nodded. "Yes, we are. Soji and Hajime will have their work cut out for them for a long time, until we can find and kill all the rebels."
I got the inspiration for the commander and his vice-commanders from Peacemaker Kurogane. That has one of the funniest episodes in an anime ever!
I'm sorta guessing what point this is from Samurai X...but don't flame me if I'm wrong!
Please review!