Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.
Heaven's Justice
Bakumatsu, 1864
The man smiled as he looked at his wife and three-year-old son. The two were seated on a cloth, and some food had been laid out among them. He joined them and enjoyed the falling cherry petals in their company. A cherry blossom picnic had been a wonderful idea, and a good opportunity for a reunion with old friends and family. The man was pulled from his thoughts when his son grabbed his hair in a tight grip. It took a few moments to detach the hand from his hair, and when he did he noticed that the three of them were no longer alone. A woman of about 26 had come up the trail, and the man's wife was now greeting her, happy to see the friend again.
The afternoon drifted by, more friends came; some went home, and others stayed.
The lunch was eaten and everyone enjoyed each other's company. The man smiled as he looked at his family. Ten years ago he would have never even dreamt to be living is such bliss. The surprises of life came slowly, and before he knew it, he was married again and raising a family.
He looked down at the cup in his hands and sighed. The white plums painted on the clay cup stood out clearly in his mind. It had been so long since that day, but the scent was easily recalled. A hand wrapped around his arm and he looked up to see his wife smiling at him. He returned the smile and she poured him more tea for his cup. He looked down at his reflection in the green tea and gasped. Warm Violet met Cold amber, his senses became filled with the sight and stench of fresh blood, and the pleasant dream melted away.
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The red-haired youth wiped the blade of his katana on the dead man's yukata. Hitokiri Battousai laid a piece of paper onto the body and said only one word, soft as a whisper. Yet it and its dark meaning carried through the empty room like a hammer-stroke.
…..Tenchu…..
Battousai sheathed his katana and fled through the open shoji, onto the balcony, and into the night. A small trail of blood from the recent cut on his face followed in his trail. He left unaware, or uncaring, of what would happen when the woman woke up in the next room over.
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The Hitokiri Battousai's latest victim died with a smile on his face. Stolen from a beautiful dream and cast into an eternal nightmare.
-Fin-
A/N: A very abstract story and something way out of the ordinary from what I do…I just wanted to see how people would take this, lets hope for good responses. A lot of symbolism, no dialogue, and only one defined character name set this story apart from anything I've ever done…Read and Review, I'll try to reply.
Glossary
Bakumatsu- Period of internal strife in Japan. lasted from 1856-1868
Fin- Finish, End
Hitokiri- Manslayer, assassin
Hitokiri Battousai- title of the legendary manslayer during the Bakumatsu. Kenshin's former identity.
Katana- Japanese cutting sword. I won't go into details here.
Shoji- sliding door.
Tenchu- Heavenly, or divine justice.
Yukata- underclothing, worn while sleeping and worn under clothes during the day.