Hello!
This is my very first Rurouni Kenshin-story ever! lol
I'm a newbie in the whole RK-universe, but fell in love with the KenshinKaoru paring almost right away… (Yes, I'm a silly romantic, and you gotta love those two… hehe) o
So here is my very first try at a RK-fic… There should be at least one or two more chapters if people like it, so PLEASE tell me what you think(???????) Feedback is what makes a Writer bloom.
Sara
Remembrance
She was beautiful. Her beauty strong enough to pause even the wandering heart of a Rurouni…
The strength and light of her soul's edge strong enough to dull the power of a reverse-blade sword. Strong enough to wound one man's heart so deeply that he had to remain in her presence; surrounded in her glow, for even the slightest chance of healing.
And Kenshin had stayed. Had halted his journey on Life's path to stay in this woman's world for just a bit longer.
As her ever-present Guardian, her Friend, a Man only able to love her in protection's fleeting caress… His kisses always invisible; felt in dreams or in a gaze when those violet orbs reached out…
For her he would fight; put his own life to rest if it would keep her breathing, even if she left him vulnerable; his heart bared with endless and forbidden love.
Kaoru Kamiya…
He would die for her.
His Kaoru-dono…
But she was not his any longer; could never be. She belonged to someone else now. Someone owned her now; even if her heart hadn't agreed to the deal.
Saitou Hajime…
He had watched as they married only months earlier. Standing by Kaoru's side; hand on his sword; ready for any unexpected guests… But the one he wanted to slay was standing only a few metres away…
He wanted to kill Saitou for taking his beloved's happiness; had seen it as her smile fled her lips that day; disappearing in the wind and a rain of cherry-flowers.
And he was still searching for it; knowing that it was his to find… and give with his love…
Kenshin paused in the yard outside the big house which was both a home and the town's police-station. Saitou had build himself a wonderful home for himself and his wife.
But in big rooms the emptiness always feels stronger if you have no love to fill up the void…
He sighed, then let out a deep breath before walking the last steps to the front door. Saw that there was no horse standing tied-up outside in the early sunshine. "Good." He thought. He had chosen the right time for his visit…
He raised his hand to knock, and for a moment in his mind, the house turned into the dojo… Their home; he could hear the little lake nearby, the drying laundry flowing in the breeze, Kaoru humming as she prepared the fish he had caught that morning. Made a nice lunch for the two of them.
And he saw her through the open wooden-door; sitting almost with her back turned, but still he could see her face; her smile…
"Oh Kaoru-…"
"Kenshin?"
"Oro?" he whispered as he was woken from this wonderful wander of his mind. His eyes were still slightly blind by the veil of a day-dream, but the sound of a soft and familiar voice lifted it slowly… And he saw her once more.
"Kaoru-dono…"
She stood before him now; leaning against the door-frame. Beautiful as ever before; embracing him in her light. And he saw that she was blooming; the rosebuds of her cheeks, the glow of life in her eyes; a picture framed by the black silk of her hair.
His gaze was then drawn to the visible bulge of her stomach; heard the silent cry from her entire being for his protection... and something more he couldn't give. But he wanted to… Oh, how he wanted. Wanted to reach out and touch her; hold her to him…
Give her back the smile which was still missing…
-
"Did Saitou leave you here all alone?" Kenshin asked with a slight frown to his brows as he held onto Kaoru's hand and helped her to ease down onto a pile of pillows on the floor.
"He is just out on a short errand; he should be back soon…" She smiled at him gratefully as he placed another pillow to rest against her lower back. She hadn't even told him that that was the spot that always pained her. "We didn't know you were coming today, Kenshin otherwise I'm sure he would have stayed home."
"It's alright. Please don't apologize for him…" He sat down beside her; turned slightly so he could face her; smiled when he drowned in the depths of her eyes. "It was you I came to see."
"Oh…" she blushed and lowered her eyes; hiding them beneath those long, black lashes, then slowly she raised her head; dared to look at him again while her hands hugged the curve holding the new life. "I'm fine, Kenshin… Really!"
She gasped when a finger was suddenly under her chin; tipping her face back up. Warmth filled her, sent by invisible paths from his body to hers led by this small and gentle touch.
"Are you… Kaoru-dono?" he asked her, mirroring her in his eyes; eyes that read the words of her heart even when she left them unsaid. "Are you really?"
She sighed and averted her eyes once more. "I can't answer your question in any other way, Kenshin…" Her voice was little more than a whisper.
"Can't or won't?" He tilted his head to meet her gaze again. His tone was velvet-soft and his fingertips brushed the soft skin on her chin; still cradling her face.
She saw the sun play in the mane of his red hair; followed the different patterns of light dancing across every crimson strand, but she didn't answer…
"How do you think I feel?" she said suddenly, gently slapping his hand away. "I feel like I have a filled bucket of tofu inside of me…" She laughed a little; a laughter much too light for those sad eyes… "And I just LOVE to waddle around like an overweight duck and relieve myself 20 times a day…" She paused and her cheeks then flushed when she realised what she had just said.
"Uhm… I mean…"
"I'm sorry that it's that bad, but I still think you walk gracefully…" Kenshin said; his eyes once again focused on her pregnant stomach.
"I do not!" Kaoru exclaimed before talking a very big gulp of her tea.
"You do." The soft smile still curled Kenshin's lips.
"I. Do. NOT!!!"
"But you do, Kaoru-dono…"
The words had only just left his mouth before her hand came up to pull at his ponytail. With a deep, soft laugh he grabbed her hand; halting her quest, and then paused; watching as their fingers slowly entwined…
"Kaoru-" he began, but she wouldn't let him pull away.
"Ssshh… you stubborn Rurouni…" she whispered before guiding his hand to her. "Now, just feel…" And while holding his gaze, she placed Kenshin's palm on her stomach; saw the wonder and joy in his eyes as he felt the movement inside.
"Oro! Oh, Kaoru-dono…" he breathed and his hand shook a bit; moved by happiness… And a knowledge that was still his alone… at least for a while.
Kaoru giggled and covered his hand with her own. And in that moment a true smile was born from the petals of her lips; blooming for him…
Not long after, Saitou returned; killing Kaoru's laughter instantly. And Kenshin watched as her smile also slowly died in the wake of her husband's arrival. For long moments he tried keeping it alive, but it was in vain.
"Himura Battousai…" Saitou hissed while glaring at the swordsman with his dark, narrow eyes. "What brings you to my home?"
Kenshin stood, but held his hand out when Kaoru tried to stand as well. "Don't," he said in that soft tone that was always for her. "Just sit back down Kaoru-dono; the pillows are more comfortable for you…" He watched and helped her ease back down; gave her a smile before turning to Saitou.
"I don't like to be called by that name… Especially not by people who are supposed to be my friends…" Kenshin's voice was calm but sharp as a blade. "Please just call me Kenshin."
Saitou didn't respond; instead he reached into his pocket; pulled out a thin, brown cigarette and lit it, letting the grey smoke flow out through his nostrils.
Kenshin frowned at this; knew that this habit wasn't good for Kaoru or her unborn child… Hell, Saitou could die of it too in the end… He could always hope. But maybe he shouldn't say anything; after all, this was Saitou's home; his domain, everything here belonged to him, and was only within reach for a poor Samurai because Saitou allowed it to be.
One wrong word or move, and a limit would be drawn; a barrier would be build separating him forever from what gave his life meaning. And behind that barrier what he had made bloom would whiter and die, he knew. And he could never, not ever, let that happen.
His head turned to her again, as if on reflex; for an endless moment he gazed down into Kaoru's wide-open-eyes; calmed her with one glowing gaze. But he kept silent for her…
"Kaoru!" Their moment was shattered by Saitou's voice. "I would like to talk with Kenshin alone now…"
"But Saitou-san…" Kaoru whispered, looking at her hands instead of her husband. "What about your food… tea?"
"It's alright, Kaoru-dono…" Kenshin had bent down in front of her and was now covering both of her hands with one of his own. "I still have my tea…" He nodded to the small cup where some of the liquid still remained. "You just go and rest…" He helped her to stand; completely ignoring that her husband was in the room. "You have two to sleep for now," he told her with a smile.
They both watched as the door to the other room slid closed, and then Saitou turned his eyes to glare at Kenshin, his mouth twisted into an evil, little smirk.
"It pains you, doesn't it?" His voice was like acid.
"Hm?" Kenshin tore his eyes away from the door; his brows deeply frowned when their eyes met. "What does?"
Saitou came to him; moved in and placed himself with his back against the door; blocking it. "It pains you to know that she is mine." He then drew his sword and placed it between them with its tip biting into the floor. The limit had been drawn…
"I-I don't know what you're talking about…" Kenshin stuttered and even though he knew that Saitou would not fight him here and now, his hand unconsciously drifted to rest on his own sword.
"You are a very bad liar… Battousai!" Saitou said as he smirked around his cigarette. He took a long drag and blew out the smoke; catching Kenshin in the grey fog; a fog which hid those violet eyes for a moment, leaving a small golden spark in its wake.
"You know, this is actually much more fun than to kill you in a regular fight; this way I can watch you suffer…" He smirked and threw the cigarette away while walking forward towards Kenshin who was backing a few steps. "Oh yes! My dear Himura… this way I have your heart right here in my hand and can watch it shatter!" He clenched his fist in front of Kenshin's eyes.
"And your death will be slow and painful. The only strength left in your heartbeat being this silly feeling called: Love…"
Kenshin's head was bowed slightly; his eyes shielded by flaming red, and then revealed again as he spoke: "You don't… love Kaoru-dono…?"
"Love her?" Saitou's laughter made Kenshin grit his teeth, and the golden spark turned into a tiny flame… "She loves you…" Saitou purred very close to his ear now. "And that is enough!" He paused; studied the Rurouni's face; drank in the pain there; the sweet rage…
His voice was full of twisted bliss. "When she cries it's like watching you bleed…"
Kenshin drew back as if stricken by a burning blade. His eyes now like windows to a torn soul. Everywhere he hurt, and only the blood from a shattered heart was flowing through his veins. It hurt…
Drop by drop it flowed… Like tears; hidden, unstoppable…
"You…" Kenshin hissed. All strength had left him, but he drew his sword with the anger growing in his being; an anger calling; trying to wake the slumbering Battousai. "I will protect Kaoru-dono and her child…" His eyes met Saitou's above the silver blade. "…Even against you!"
"Ahhh! This is amusing…" Saitou laughed; leaned slightest against the hilt of his own sword. "Well, while you do that, you must remember to tell her your little secret… Right, Battousai? Or should I say our little secret, now when you are so unwillingly sharing it with me…?"
Kenshin frowned, lowering his sword just a bit. "What secret?"
Saitou drew out time; let Kenshin listen to the confused, racing rhythm of his own heart for what felt like a terrible eternity.
"A secret that only I and that woman-Doctor of yours know about. A secret which you and my dear wife have chosen to forget or hide in a soul which is now wide open…"
Only the sound as Kenshin drew in a sharp breath broke the silence, but it was Saitou who spoke again. "The secret that the child Kaoru is carrying is a Spring-child; conceived in the month of May…"
"Months before she became mine…"
"In a time where you; Rurouni was the only man in her proximity…"
TBC… (If you want?)
