Standard Disclaimers Apply: I dont own RK

The Art of Rekindling

Chapter 1

It took everyone by surprise.

"A magnitude nine earthquake struck Japan, followed by a tsunami and triggered what could be said to be the worst nuclear disaster in the century."

The news anchor, in all his neck-tied seriousness, poker faced and not even a hint of panic in his monotone nor his teleprompter trained eyes. Someone from behind the camera, flailing his arms, signaling `CUE COMMERCIAL BREAK!` Cue the sound of commercial music. Cue VTR of the all-too perfect American family, having the all-too perfect picnic under a flurry of pink blossoms, backdropped by the gentle shadow of Kinkakuji, the Golden pavilion, the house of the gods… Cue the slogan. "There are things that money can`t buy… for everything else…"

Kaoru would have probably grimaced at the irony of it—yes, unfortunately, there are some things money cant buy- like lives of the earthquake victims, or nuclear containment, or both. She probably would have put a hand over her face and cried a little, just because of the magnitude of it all. . Oh Japan, why must you suffer so? Why, when you've touched so many lives with your delicate balance of elegant old and brazen modern? (Why, when you've touched my life with green tea ice cream and eternally hot anime boys?) Why when you've given the world so much? (My scholarships, my probable dream jobs, the Japan life I've always wanted) Oh Japan, Nippon, the Land of the Rising Sun. (Oh Japan, Nippon, the land of 100 yen shops) Why?(Why?)

She probably would have thought.

But the human mind has formed a proximal habit of choosing to focus on mundane things instead of the relevant, of allowing ourselves to listen to that tiny selfish voice that insisted we focus on what to make for dinner—Chinese chopsuey with lemon sauce?—(But you know I don't eat anything green)—or pork afritada, with golden potatoes and a spoonful of peas—(YES!YES!)- as the nation clambers aboard the ride to third world poverty. It was not indifference; perhaps selfishness? (YES! YES!)

Whatever it was, it would be enough to soften the next lines of the anchor's script (CUE SFX!)into but a gentle, distant hum as Kaoru's gaze remained transfixed on the white glowing screen of her laptop.

I'm flying back home in two days.. I'd like to see you.

Can.

We

Meet?

Yes, the disaster took everyone by surprise.

And this one, yes, it took her by surprise too.

I intended that Kaoru be the only character mentioned. It`s up to you guys to guess or imagine who the guy might be. But, please dont dwell on the guessing game. I`m hoping the reviews would be more about the writing style than the real representation of the characters. XD

please, please review.

blue~