Himura Sword
Enishi smiled to himself as he walked along the corridor to Kaoru's room. He was going to have breakfast with her. In his arm, he held a bouquet of roses, with the intention to surprise her. His memory brought him back to the night before when he held Kaoru in his arm. The span of his smile grew wider.
The feel of her warmth against his skin, embracing her sweet intoxicating scent had left him in a very good and pleasant mood the following morning. He was known to all for his atrocious temper and without having to do much, she somehow managed to bring the calm in him. What was required was only her present. He supposed that was why God had made her his equal – she was there to tame him, to balance him out.
He found it uncanny how he became so attached to her. She had a very strong spirit and a kind heart. She was constantly defiant, challenging the order of the heaven and would go all the way out, whether or not it would ridicule herself, to prove her point. She was dead head stubborn. For all of that, he loved her for who she was.
Enishi knocked on Kaoru's door. "Kaoru, may I come in?"
There was no answer.
He smiled to the door and reached for the knob. His Kaoru was very fond to sleep in. And he had intentionally came to see her very early in the morning in hope to watch her sleep. Despite of the bad traits in her character, even in her sleeping form she radiated an air of peace around of her. The wave calmed those around her.
He carefully opened the door and stepped into her room quietly. "Kaoru…" he called softly not to awaken her if she was still deep in her slumber. He disappeared into her room and closed the door softly behind him.
It didn't take long before Kaoru's room door was swung opened forcefully from the inside. Enishi stomped out her room hurriedly, leaving red petals, once a bouquet of flower, scattered round the floor. He fled, clutching to a piece of parchment in his fist.
Enishi ran back to his quarter, charging right into his Officer-In-Command's office.
Aoshi observed his superior calmly, expecting his next instruction.
"She is gone." It was a statement. "Find her." It was an official commanded.
Aoshi crooked his brow. 'Again?' He sighed heavily.
Enishi turned around with his back facing Aoshi. He brought his fist to his face and opened them. He read the piece parchment again.
'Someone is in need of my help.. I'll be back.'
He closed his eyes, balling his hand into a fist again. 'Kaoru… Where have you gone to this time?'
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He felt a certain joy which he never knew he was capable of feeling. It felt weird to be excited over the coming day when the day was just like any other day. He had a hunch that something was going to happen that day. Something was coming on its way to him. He didn't know how or why he had this feeling but he just did.
He sat among the meadow of grass looking at the faraway land, waiting anxiously for that something. He knew it was silly but he could not help but hope. It was the very first time he felt hope. It was as though he could finally the see the light at the end of the dark tunnel.
He locked his hands behind his head and laid happily among tall grasses. He smiled to the sky. It didn't really matter if nothing was coming because at the very moment, he felt oddly good about his life and he was content by feeling just. As the ray was warming him, he slowly drifted to sleep, an unusual smile still carving his lips.
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"Where is this place?!" Kaoru looked around her. "There is nothing here!" She said aloud, frustrated.
She could not believe that she voluntarily and blindly allow her feet to take her to wherever she was. She cannot reason out why she felt such strong need to go where it was leading her. There was an urgency to reach the owner of the voice. Something kept on nagging at the back of her head.
"Is East any further than this?" she asked herself. She spotted a large rock and sat on it. She brought her knees to her chest and sighed. "Where am I…?" She decided that she was going to need help and she placed her palm on the earth and summoned for the Kuno, Guardian the Soil.
"Kaoru, Lord Enishi is looking for you," was the first thing Kuno reported.
"You tell me you seen me here and I'll send Misao to stay with you for a week." Kaoru smiled triumphantly. Misao was always her best line of defense or threat.
A drop of sweat appeared on Kuno's forehead. "You are putting me in a very difficult situation…" he said under his breath.
"If Enishi ask of my whereabouts, just tell him that I have acquired new skill and you cannot detect me," Kaoru offered her suggestion with a smile.
However, Kuno was none to happy with her brilliant idea. He imagined Lord Shinomori, if not Lord Enishi, to skin him alive if he were to tell them exactly as suggested. He shook his, thinking of the misery Kaoru was about to bring upon him.
"Anyway, that aside, which way is the quickest way to get to the east?" she asked.
Kuno quirked his brow, thinking of why she wanted to head east. So far, whenever she took a trip down earth, she never once bothered about direction. She would explore wherever her feet landed her.
Reading the expression from Kuno's face, she added, "Someone has been summoning me. It has request for my help. Has anything happened in the East?" Since she had no idea what she was looking for, she thought she might find a clue by asking.
"Hm," Kuno gave a thorough thought, "Not that I know of..." he trailed off. "Expect…"
"Except?" Kaoru was eager.
"Five hundred years ago, there is a cave that had been, all of a sudden being surrounded by magic." He pondered thoughtfully. "However, there wasn't any menacing magic surrounding the cave. It was more like it was protecting something. It was very subtle."
"How come you have never brought up this matter in the meeting?" she asked out of curiosity.
"The magic was gentle and it took care of the land surrounding it. I didn't think it would require anyone's attention. Whatever it is, it wished to be left alone. And since it was not doing any harm, there really no reason for me to report it." Kuno explained.
Her lips slowly curled upwards as she listened in to Kuno's reasoning. "This why I love you so much…" she hugged Kuno. "You are so kind." She released Kuno, "So, how do I get to the cave?"
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While napping, subconsciously he registered he should be basking his face under the sun. However, he felt that something had changed. Something was hovering over him, shadowing him from the bright ray.
Forcing himself to wake up, he slowly peeled open his eyes. A fine thin visual came into picture. It was a pair of eyes. 'A pair of eyes?!' the thought abruptly attacked his brain and his eyes flew wide open. He shot up from his sitting position and scrammed on his palms, soles and buttock.
His hasty move startled her. 'Boy, he moves extremely fast! Faster than Enishi…' She offered a broad smile when she realized that it was her that had frightened the young man instead. "Hello," she greeted on her bended knees. She noted how vibrant his hair colour was.
The young man did not return her greeting. He merely stared at her. His heart was beating dreadfully fast in which he never knew capable. No one had ever approach him before. He almost believed that he was invisible.
Kaoru felt terribly awkward. "I'm sorry but I didn't mean to scare you. I mean no harm…"
The longer he stared at her, his heart beat normalized. He found himself, strangely drawn to her. There was something about her which made him wanted to raise his hand to touch her. But he didn't.
The air around him was different, Kaoru felt. She was definite that it was this young man who has called for her. She was most certain that he was no human. "What's your name?"
When he did not answer, it suddenly hit her that probably he was not able to speak. However, as she pondered further, the voice who had summoned her spoke. She disregarded her thought and held out her open palm; with the intention to help him up.
He stared at her hand and back at her smiling face again.
"Don't worry," she smiled assuredly, "I won't bite." She gestured him to take her hand.
He stared at her open invitation again. He wanted so much to grab hold of her soft slender hand but he was afraid. If she was his imagination, he didn't want it to end. If she was just an illusion, reaching out to hold her would bring him back to reality when there was no warmth in his hold. He didn't want that to happen.
Feeling that she was fighting a losing battle, she withdrew her hand. She didn't want to push him if he wasn't comfortable with her. All of a sudden, her senses jolted. That voice had silently calling for her again. She stood up straight, confused. She was positive that voice belonged to the young man but that voice seemed to be coming from a distance.
"The cave," she murmured, "there is someone else…."
"There is no one else. Only me," the young man finally opened his mouth.
She looked at stunned. "You talk! God, I was worried there for a minute that you can't talk."
"I'm s-sorry," he apologized sheepishly.
She couldn't help but laughed at his expression. She thought he was adorable. "It is alright. I startled you. So, can you show me to your cave?" She was determine to find out what was going on and why she was summoned.
He surprised himself by nodding. He delighted in showing her his adobe.
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There was really no need for the young man to show the cave. She could feel the vibes of the voice and it was directing her to the voice. Once in the cave, she followed its lead, leaving the young man wondering where she was going on her own.
The young man followed her and was a little worried when she started to wonder deeper into the cave. She appeared to be heading to where the sword was located. "W-where are you going?" he asked.
She did not answer him. She was too absorbed following the silent voice. As she turned around the corner, she went into a large vacant space and the voice stopped. The area looked like a hall except located in the middle was a large rock embedded with a sword. She moved closer for a better look at the sword. Twenty steps away from the sword was all she needed for a clear view. Her eye widened at the sight of the sword. "Himura Sword…" she was able to identify immediately.
The Himura Sword was a legendary mystic sword. No one knew how the sword came about but it was alive and it sought to possess the one who wield it. He who wielded it will gain tremendous power and thus granting almost any of the wielder's wishes. However not just anyone could pick the sword in its hand. The sword chose its wielder and it was capable of destroying its wielder at its own will. The sword was in fact an evil sword. It feasted for blood. It hungered for blood. Every live that it took, it enhances its power. Many sought after the evil sword in hope to grant their deepest darkest wish but many failed and died by the blade of the Himura Sword. However, Himura Sword disappeared into thin air five hundred years ago. No one knew what happen to it or why it disappeared.
And presently, Kaoru stood face to face with the legendary demonic sword. She could feel the barrier that the Himura Sword had erected. She felt its magic lingering around. However, it was odd that she felt no threat or menace from the sword. It appeared to her that the sword had been laying dormant for a very long time..
She attempted to move closer to touch the sword but the young man stood abruptly in front of her with his hand stretched out to his sides.
"No," he shook his head vigorously. "It is dangerous to get any closer."
She smiled broadly and assured him, "It's alright. It won't hurt me. It has asked for me to come." She stepped aside, walking passed the young man.
He quickly grabbed her wrist, stopping her from getting any closer. And… she felt real! She was warm and she was real! He was overjoyed.
She murmured under her breath and he found himself frozen on his spot, unable to move. He started to panicked.
She carefully peeled off his finger from her wrist and told him, "Wait here for me. I'll be back." She smiled.
She stood just outside the sword's barrier and absorbing its energy shield. Surprisingly it felt invigorating. She raised her hand and cautiously touched the barrier. It was soft and warm; almost as if it was welcoming her. Warily she stepped into barrier and walked towards the sword. When she was within one arm length from the sword, she examined the sword in details. She clearly saw her own reflection on the blade. The sword stood beautifully and shone proudly. She found it difficult to believe such a magnificent sword was evil. She gently touched the sharp edge of the sword but the blade did not tear the soft skin. As if caressing, her finger trailed the blade up to the hilt. She closed her eyes, still touching the sword and went into a trance – being pulled into Himura Sword's dimension.
Once again she was in total darkness like in her dreams but she was not afraid. There was warmth circling her, gently brushing against her skin.
"Hello, Kaoru. You finally came,"came the voice which she then identified as Himura Sword.
"Yes," Kaoru answered calmly. "It was you who have summoned for me to come. But why? With your power, I would be of no help to you?"
"You would be of a great help. And only you could help…."
"What do you want me to do?" Here she was talking to an evil dreadful sword. The sword was seeking help and she without doubt willing to help it. She must be out of her mind, she thought.
Either that or the sword had the power to turn just anybody to his words.
"Do you know why I disappeared without trace?" Himura Sword asked.
"Not really," she answered honestly. "Are you cursed?" she was curious.
"Hahaha! Not even close." It paused for a while. "Then again, you can say that I am cursed." It heaved a loud sigh before it started talking again, "My last wielder, a terrible mistake that I have made and also the main cause of my curse, fell in love with a woman. When I chose him, he was perfect to carry out my evil deeds. However, I miscalculated as I wasn't aware that the power of love and the touch of a woman should change a person drastically."
Although in the dark, Kaoru folded her legs under her and listened intently to Himura Sword. She had a feeling it would be a long session.
"Much to the contrary believes, my wielder was like a vessel to me. I feel whatever my wielder feels, sharing our emotion. And thus, I, too fell in love with the same woman. It is hard to believe that a devil like me would fall for a kind and innocent heart like hers. Before I gain full conscious of my being, my mindset had been changed – for the better. I no longer thirst for blood and was willing to live the rest my life in peace with her. However, as fate had it, she died by my blade… Her blood had sent me to this curse existence."
The sadness in the voice had Kaoru's heart clenched painfully. "What happened?"
"Heaven had sent a troop to exterminate me. I wanted to live in peace but they would not leave me alone. So war was inevitable. The troop was lead by Hiko Seijuro. We fought fiercely and Hiko was the strongest opponent I have ever met. I killed his troop and all was left was Hiko alone. The three of us were both badly hurt by one another. Hiko had my wielder vision deteriorated badly and in the final blow to determine victory, she suddenly stood in between the ferocious fight, trying to protect us… Accident or not, I killed her… And on the spot my wielder killed himself. He could not bare the guilt and he had the easy way out but I can't. I can't end myself. There is no end to me and so I decided to put my power to good use and created a living being – the young man that you saw."
"What?" she was stunned. She didn't realized that the Himura Sword had such power to create a living being. Even Megumi could not do so with her science.
"I regenerate myself in a human form. That young man is part of me which is why you thought he was the one who called for you. I will give him my all except my memory."
"You 'will'?" Kaoru was puzzled at his choise of words.
"At the moment, he is still only half of me. I hold the other half. I still retain power in order to protect my human form. However I will complete the regeneration process once I found someone to care for my human form. And my past memories will be locked, sealed deep within the young man. That is where you come into picture."
"You want to care for him? Why? He seemed capable of taking care of himself." She did not understand.
"Although we are one, I have kept our minds separate. I have never allowed my human form access to me. I never initiated direct communication with him because I am too filthy. I want a new life, a clean life. I want a pure kind heart like hers and I would be the last to pass on the trait to him. You, the Spiritual Deity, on the other hand, is the perfect influence for him. I have sent out my request for a tutor for him and you answered my call. It proves that you will be the one." It said confidently. "Will you help me?" Himura Sword pleaded. "I have waited for you to come along for four hundred years…"
Kaoru did not answer and was silent, thinking it all over.
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The young man was fretting. The whole time, he kept his eyes on her and she did not move one bit. Had the sword killed her? He could feel something burning inside of him at his last thought. He struggled to break free from her spell but in vain.
He sighed in relieved when she finally came out of the trance and smiled. She gracefully walked away from the sword, out of the barrier. All of a sudden, the barrier had completely vanished. He was puzzled.
She walked towards him and tapped lightly on his shoulders. Miraculously, he was able to move his limps again.
"Are you alright?" was the first thing that he said.
"I'm fine." She grasped his hand and led him to stand in front of the sword. "Wield it," she instructed.
His eyes wavered, questioning uncertainly. For as long as he lives, it had never crossed his mind to hold the sword in his hands.
"Go on, wield it," she encouraged.
Gingerly, his hand reached for the hilt of the sword. He paused for a while, uncertainly, before he wrapped his hand around the hilt of the sword. Carefully he pulled the sword out from the rock. As he held the sword in the air, he felt a surge of power flowing in his vein, sending him the shiver. He felt complete, energized and empowered. For some reason he knew he can no longer live apart from the sword. It was as if the sword was part of his limp.
"How do you feel?" she asked.
"Weird but good," he answered with a smile.
"Good, this magnificent swords belongs to you now. Only you can wield it and call for it. And from now onwards, your name would be Kenshin. Himura Kenshin." She had thought the name was perfect for him.
"Himura Kenshin…" He tried to get his tongue and ears to be familiarized with his name.
"Yes, Kenshin, you are the heart of sword and I will be your new Master,"
"Master?"
Kaoru offered him her hand, "Come with me. I'll teach everything that you need to know, show you places that you never been before." She flashed him a most sincere smile.
Without hesitation, he took her hand in his.
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Author's note: Thanks for reading and please share with me what you think of it by reviewing.
So, review, review, review.
