Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic: These Changing Times
This fanfic series takes place two years after the Revenge Arc ends, in an alternate RuroKen universe. (Only because I started it well before the manga ended ^_^;;) Eighteen-year-old Makimachi Misao comes to Tokyo to visit Kenshin and Kaoru... and to put her own troubles behind her. A newly attentive Sagara Sanosuke is more than willing to distract her. Then a certain Oniwabanshuu onmitsu turns up in Tokyo to help investigate a wave of vicious armed robberies sweeping the city...
Comments and constructive criticism are always appreciated. But be warned: this fic meddles with what seem to be considered the tried-and-true romantic pairings in RuroKen (in case I didn't already make that clear). So if you read further, please be kind and keep an open mind! ^^;;
Note: for those who are new to the language, go to http://www2.netcom.com/~sakka/times/glossary.htm to get information on the Japanese terms and expressions used in this chapter.
Chapter 2 - Cheerful Face, Hidden Sorrow
Sanosuke heard the doujou's front gate open. "Hey, there's the happy couple now," he said to Misao, raising his voice. "Oi, Kenshin, Jou-chan, check out who's come to visit!"
Kaoru rounded the corner slowly. "Coming," she panted. "Mou, it's such an effort to get anywhere these days... Who did you say was here, Sanosuke?" As she caught sight of the pair in the yard, her eyes widened.
"M- Misao-chan!" she shrieked, delighted. "Oh, it's so good to see you!"
Misao hurtled forward, throwing her arms around Kaoru, big belly and all. "Kaoru-san! Kaoru-san! It's been too long! I'm so happy to see you!" A few tears trickled down Misao's cheeks, and she brushed them hastily away as she withdrew, studying Kaoru intently. "You're so... so..."
"Pregnant?" Sanosuke interjected, looking amused.
Misao cringed, but Kaoru merely laughed. "Yes, I'm huge," she said, winking at Misao. "I was pretty worried for awhile... thought maybe I was going to have the baby a lot sooner than we expected, but it looks like everything is okay." She sighed, lowering herself onto the porch.
"Let me help you, Kaoru-san," Misao said, but Kaoru waved her away.
"Don't worry," she said firmly. "I'm fine... just a little slow. It takes me three times as long to do simple things like walk... and sit down. Let me look at you, Misao-chan. Ooh, you've gotten so tall! So beautiful!" she gasped, fingering the sleeve of Misao's kimono. "That kimono suits you perfectly... and your hair! It looks wonderful put up like that... very grown-up."
Misao chuckled. "You sound just like a mother, Kaoru-san," she said. "I guess you've had lots of practice. Speaking of which... where's little Kintou?"
As the question left her lips, a familiar red-headed figure approached them, with a small dark-haired boy cradled against his chest. The man regarded Misao silently for a moment, then smiled sweetly.
"Irasshai de gozaru yo... Misao-dono," Kenshin said, bowing slightly.
Misao's eyes welled again. She hadn't realized how much she had missed them all. "Himura," she said gruffly, "as always, you're too damned polite."
"Sumanu," he said, his smile growing playful. "Shall I try again?" He lay his sleeping son next to Kaoru and gave Misao a bone-crushing hug. She gasped, laughing at his uncharacteristic boldness.
"Jiya couldn't have done better," she said, a little breathlessly. Everyone, including Kenshin, was laughing by this point. Sanosuke clapped Kenshin on the shoulder. "Hey, Kenshin, take a look -- Misao-chan is taller than you now."
"So I see," Kenshin said. "You look well, Misao-dono. How are the rest of the Oniwabanshuu?"
"Everyone's fine. They all send their best wishes for Kaoru-san and the baby. Oh, I have letters for both of you from Omasu and Jiya," Misao said, glancing at her suitcase. "And I brought gifts for everybody, too! Where are Yahiko and Yutarou?"
"Yahiko is working at the Akabeko this afternoon, and Yutarou will be by for dinner and practice." Kaoru gently placed Kintou's head on her lap, stroking his hair as he slept. "I canceled the afternoon classes today because of my appointment, but Yutarou hates to miss a day."
"Sounds dedicated," Misao said. "It'll be great to meet him, after hearing about him in your letters for so long." She quietly approached Kaoru, gazing admiringly at the little boy nestled in her lap. "So that's Himura Kintou. He's beautiful," Misao said, lowering her voice so as not to wake him. "I see he has your dark hair, Kaoru-san."
"He has his mother's eyes as well," Kenshin said fondly, moving next to Kaoru and slipping his arm around her. "Are you tired, Kaoru? This would be a good time for you to take a nap, too. Remember what Genzai-sensei said."
"Yes, I know," Kaoru sighed, yawning. "It's going to be a long couple of months. But at least now there's a possible explanation for why I've been having so much trouble this time around."
The couple looked up to find Misao and Sanosuke staring blankly at them. "What explanation?" they said in unison.
Kenshin scratched the back of his head and let out a little laugh, looking both proud and embarrassed. Kaoru blushed as she said, "Well, Genzai-sensei thinks the reason I've gotten so... er, big... and that I've been so tired and hungry all the time... is because I might be carrying twins."
"T- twins!" Misao gaped at Kaoru, who smiled sheepishly in return. Sanosuke looked surprised as well, but recovered quickly. He grinned and gave Kenshin a resounding thump on the back, sending his smaller friend into a coughing fit. "Damn, Kenshin! Two babies at once," Sanosuke said, looking devilish. "Now that's fast work... but I guess we should expect no less from a master of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu, ne?"
"Oro?! Sano!" Kenshin protested between coughs, turning bright red. Kaoru and Misao looked at Kenshin... then each other... and burst out laughing.
"Maa, maa... you're all so cruel," Kenshin pouted. "Have you no mercy?"
"Gomen, anata... you're just so cute when you're embarrassed!" Kaoru tittered, throwing her arms around his neck.
"Honto ni," Misao agreed, giving Sanosuke a little shove. "You're so bad," she said, still giggling. "You'd better start behaving, or else I'm keeping the present I brought for you."
Sanosuke's face lit up. "You brought something for me?" he said, his voice rising an octave. "What is it? Can I have it now?"
Misao struggled not to laugh at his eager, boyish expression. "Well... I was going to wait until everyone was here," she said hesitantly.
"Aw, c'mon, Misao-chan," Sanosuke cajoled, giving Misao a pathetic, puppy-eyed gaze. She didn't want to admit it, but the effect was irresistible.
"Oh, I suppose... if you absolutely can't wait," she said, sighing in mock exasperation. She bent down to open her case, but Kenshin said, "Why don't you wait until you're settled in your room before you start unpacking, Misao-dono? Here, let me take your--"
"Forget it, Kenshin... that thing's even heavier than Jou-chan," Sanosuke said, picking up the bag effortlessly. "Lead the way."
............
Later that night, Misao lay on her futon, staring at the ceiling. She was tired from her journey and the long day, yet sleep refused to come. The doujou was much quieter at night than the rowdy Aoiya, yet she found the silence more unnerving than the cheerful chatter of the inn she called home.
Even though I'm glad to be here, it's still a strange place. She sighed, trying to relax. Oh well... I'll get used to it soon enough. I'll certainly have enough time to.
She recalled her pleasure at receiving the invitation from Kaoru-san last month. Misao had only been planning on staying for a week, and was writing Kaoru-san to tell her so... until Himura's letter to Jiya had arrived a few days later.
While they were having tea that afternoon, Jiya brought up the letter. "Misao-chan," Jiya said, "I know you were planning on a brief visit with the Himuras. But I'd like you to consider staying with them for awhile."
Misao looked up at him, puzzled. "Why? Is there something wrong?"
The old man sipped his tea, eyeing her over the rim of his cup. "Not exactly," he said after a moment. "I received a letter from Himura-kun today. He's looking forward to your visit, but he's worried about Kaoru-san. Apparently, she's having a difficult pregnancy."
Misao jumped up, splashing tea all over the floor. "Jiya! Don't tell me she's in danger..."
"No, no... that's not what I meant," Jiya said, motioning her to sit down again. "Overall, she and the baby seem to be fine. However, she often feels unwell and tires easily." He pulled Himura's letter out, skimming its contents. "Himura-kun says she's having trouble keeping up with their son, her students and all the work that needs to be done around the doujou. He's helping as best he can, but he's worried because she seems depressed as well."
He began to read:
" 'I know Kaoru has invited Misao-dono to come visit us. My humble request is that she consider staying with us until our second child is born. Misao-dono has always been a source of cheer and comfort to us all, and I'm sure her presence will help lift Kaoru's spirits. If you can spare her for a few months, Okina-dono, I would be extremely grateful.' "
Misao sat quietly, contemplating the empty cup in her hands. A lump rose in her throat. She was touched by Himura's image of her... but it had been a long time since they had seen each other. The cheerful, optimistic Misao he remembered... well, she had started to question whether that Misao existed anymore. After all that had happened that night weeks before... she didn't know whether she could ever be that carefree again.
Jiya's gentle, firm voice interrupted her reverie.
"Misao-chan, I promised Omasu and Okon I would leave you alone. But I can no longer keep quiet, watching you suffer. I won't ask why you've been so unhappy these past weeks... but I will say that I think this trip will do you as much good as it will Kaoru-san and Himura-kun. I know it's selfish of me, but that's why I want you to go."
She met his eyes, warm with love and sympathy. Her own grew moist. With an effort, she pushed the tears back and said in a strong voice, "All right. I'll write to Himura right away. It will be good to see my Tokyo friends again."
He reached over and gave her one of his powerful hugs. She returned his embrace fiercely, murmuring, "What would I do without you, Jiya?"
"Ah, my little Misao," he said, his voice thick. "I just want you to be happy. Promise me you'll enjoy yourself while you're gone... I won't miss you quite as much if I know you're having fun."
She smiled at the doujou ceiling. Jiya was right... it had been a good idea to get away from Kyoto for awhile. She'd be sure to write him first thing tomorrow to let him know she'd arrived safely... and that she was having a good time already.
She chuckled to herself, recalling how utterly astonished everyone at the doujou had been by her grown-up appearance. She thought Yahiko was going to pass out when he realized the pretty lady he and Yutarou were showing off for was the same Misao he used to delight in tormenting. He barely said a word to Misao at dinner, but she'd caught him staring at her in disbelief throughout the meal.
Her sudden physical maturity had taken her fellow Oniwabanshuu by surprise as well. Not to mention Misao herself, who had pretty much accepted that she would look like a 12-year-old forever and wasn't all that unhappy about it. Then, seemingly overnight, she had grown several inches and developed a woman's figure. It was shocking, to say the least.
Thank goodness for Okon and Omasu, who quickly took it upon themselves to help Misao adjust, modifying her training to take advantage of her growth spurt while at the same time teaching her how to behave -- and dress -- more like a lady. At first, she'd resisted, hating the stifling clothing she had to wear, the deferential manners they forced her to practice.
But she had to admit, there were times when it was nice to be treated like a grown woman, instead of a little girl. She closed her eyes, and the image of Sanosuke addressing her at the doujou gate appeared before her. She'd only been half-joking when she said she almost didn't recognize him. He'd been so well-dressed and polite... respectful... handsome, even... those deep brown eyes of his glowing with admiration as he spoke to her.
She blushed at the memory. She never recalled Sanosuke looking quite that attractive when they were all together in Kyoto. But then, she had eyes for only one man back then--
... Aoshi-sama... Aoshi-sama... why? Why can't you...
Not again. She gritted her teeth, fighting the urge to cry. Dame! No more tears. No more wasted time crying over him. I promised Jiya I'd cheer up, and dammit, I'm going to! For everyone's sake, I have to try...
She closed her eyes, but all she could see was his beautiful, impassive face... his eyes, as blue as the sky and twice as distant... his silky black hair waving gently in the breeze that blew the night she'd last seen him, over a month ago.
His cold farewell still echoed in her ears.
... Misao... there's nothing between us... and there never will be...
... Sayonara ...
She was losing her battle. The tears spilled over, burning down her cheeks, dripping into her ears. She turned on her side, burying her face in her hands.
Damn you, Aoshi... you arrogant, icy bastard... I hate you!
Quivering, she sobbed into her cupped hands, wishing it were true.
-- End of Chapter 2 --