Prologue- A Muddled Heart

The air was crisp and clean, the remaining wisps of smoke dispersing, and the long-lingering stenches of blood and iron from the battlefield finally non-existent. The war was no more than a memory now, a dream, a bed time story. The villagers were free; they could harvest in piece. The remaining two Samurai, Shimada Kanbei and Shichirouji, were preparing to part with the now peaceful Kanna, and with each other- a samurai's farewell. This was no longer the place for them. They were men of war, of heart-thumping battle, of triumph. They brought peace, but they didn't thrive on it. They barely understood it. It was Kanbei's idea to leave at the crack of dawn, without so much as a goodbye. They were to disparate, like a dream, from times of peace. They didn't want to plague the villagers with bad memories.

But she knew they were going to try to leave. She knew Kanbei well enough, she knew his way of thinking. And so she met them there, on the outskirts of the village.

Shimada Kanbei stopped long before she arrived. He could at least do her the courtesy of waiting.

Out of breath, yet determined, the chocolate-haired former priestess bore her fiery eyes into his own, daring him to look away.

"Kanbei-sama… I want to go with you." She paused. For a second, she faltered her gaze, but just as quickly returned it. "It's shameful to admit, but I love you. I don't care if you will never love me in return- I want to be there for you. I want to protect you."

Kanbei sighed. He turned away, and lifted himself onto his rapid turtle. "Kirara… you were right to give the crystal to your sister. Your heart is much too muddled for it now. But it's not love that turns something rotten. It's your confusion, and lies. To yourself."

"What do you--"

"It's not me your heart yearns for." He turned to her, gaze full of experience, of kindness. "Who is it you truly want to be with most? Who is it you want to protect?"

"Kanbei-sama…"

"Think about it. If, after you truly listen to your heart, and you still think it's me, then you can come with me."

He left, without another word.

And Kirara stared up into the illuminated night sky.

Kirara had spent the last few days, alone in her thoughts. It HAD been Kanbei that she loved, right? Hadn't it been his kindness, his strength, and his smile that pulled her through? Hadden't it been HIM to protected her, that saved her from danger time and time again?

"who is it YOU want to protect?"

But did she want to protect him? Did she really want to protect him?

It didn't feel like it.

She wanted to be saved by him, but he didn't need her help. Who did?

Kirara remembered the last thing that young, beautiful samurai had said to her. The only person who had ever loved her, the man whom she had hurt worse than she herself had been. "it was always YOU who had protected ME."

Katsushiro-sama… She had tainted him. She had hurt him, ripped him apart, and worst of all destroyed him. He was so strong, to love her even still. He should have hated her.

She didn't deserve his love.

He was the most, pure, handsome man she had ever seen. He was determined, kind, loving. He -loved-her. And She destroyed him. He needed someone better. Someone who wasn't quite so dirty.

So why can't she help wanting to be with him?

Was that the answer? Was that who she wanted to be with? Was that who she wanted to hold, who she wanted to hold her, who she wanted to kiss time and time again?

Yes. This time, she was sure of it.

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Not very long, but it's just an introduction. I know KatsuXKirara has been done a lot, but I can't help it. I LOVE the pair. I need to dream that the anime ended this way XD

I have a lot more creative ones in store for later, though! I swear!