1 Separate Truths
2 A Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction
Author's Note: This is my very first fanfic that I started a long time ago and I have been wondering whether if I should continue it. Please read and review, onegai!
Spoilers: Tiny ones for the Kyoto Arc
Disclaimer: Rights to Rurouni Kenshin and all of its lovely characters belong to Watsuki Nobuhiro, etc. Original characters all belong to me, but you can probably use them if you ask, ^_^.
3
4 Chapter 1: Joined Hands
5 A young woman in a worn but clean kimono stood behind waving willows to watch a young man fish peacefully by the lake. She passed this spot everyday and for a few moments, the ever present smile of the young man would draw her attention. Today was no different from any other, she stood at her customary spot and watched in silence. But as usual the thought of how foolish her actions were caused her to hurry away after a few minutes.
Seta Soujiro threw his line once again into the clam waters of the lake. He could feel the young woman's gaze on him but he made no motion to startle her. She always comes. He thought to himself, her presence in the past few weeks had slowly become a comfort. In the beginning he didn't think much of her daily visits, but weeks later, he found himself thinking about her every now and then on rainy days when he spent his time inside. That was when he realized that this faceless woman had somehow worked herself into his mind without saying a word to him. Shaking his head a little, he shifted his attention back to fishing, as he laughed at himself, baka, you are just thinking too much of this whole situation.
"Raiha nee-San!" The young woman walked faster to the small cottage as a sweet voice of a little girl rang out from the wooden structure.
"Nee-San, I've finished!" A little girl ran up to the woman holding a flapping piece of paper with pride. "Nee-San, I looked in the dictionary and found this word."
The piece of paper had the character for "wealth" clumsily written in black ink.
"Nee-San, I thought that if I wrote it real nice, then my wishes will come true and we'll have a nice house with lots of food to eat. Then we can buy Nee-San a beautiful kimono and you'll be the prettiest girl in the whole village!"
Raiha felt tears prick at her eyes as she held up the paper with trembling hands. Hugging the little girl close, she whispered into her ear, "You did a really nice job Keiko, I'm sure Kami-sama will grant all of our wishes. Now why don't you go find Nee-San the biggest turnip in the garden and we can have a feast for lunch."
Raiha waited till the little girl skipped away before she let the tears fall. They had no hope whatsoever. They had no money and the land was slowly dying with no one to help them plant and take care of it. But she can't let Keiko starve. I'll do anything, Kami-sama please.
Just as she wiped the last of the futile tears away, a dirty hand grasped the front of her kimono. Gasping softly, she gazed up at the gap- toothed giant, who was busy leering drunkenly at her chest.
"My, my, look at this place, a pretty little girl like yourself shouldn't be living in a place like this."
Raiha flinched as he ran fingers down her cheek. "What are you doing here Keisuke?"
"Have you considered my proposal?"
"I will never marry you!" Raiha looked up in defiance.
"Are ya sure about that? I don't see any eager suitors knocking at your door. This place is not going to hold up any longer, so why don't you just give up little Raiha. You know I would love to take care of you and Keiko, you don't want to see sweet little Keiko starve do you?"
Raiha felt a tug at her heart as she thought of Keiko. She is so young and vibrant. I can . . . I will do anything to protect her. Even if it means . . .
Seeing that his words had affected her as he hoped it would, Keisuke smirked with satisfaction, "I'll give you one more day to consider."
Raiha flipped over restlessly again. Sleep had never been so far away. Feeling the hot rush of tears again, she pressed her fists to her eyes. Damn these pointless tears. I have no choice. I have to think about Keiko's future, if it means I'll have to marry him, I will. But her insides still cringed when she remembered the few snips of gossip she had overheard.
. . . He's a monster, they said he beat his first wife to death . . .
. . . I heard he has never been faithful. I pity the poor woman who'll become his new wife . . .
No! I can't be selfish. Throwing back the covers, Raiha rose and pulled her sleeping robe close to her. As if those actions could ward away the doubts and fear of taking such a man as a husband. Feeling herself sink further into depression, she quickly put on her cloak and headed to the only place that still calmed her soul.
The lake is calm tonight, she thought, the moon reflected brightly on the surface. Raiha had never seen such a beautiful night, but the tears she had tried to hold back fell once again.
Soujiro watched the girl from behind the willow. The moon shone on her face, making her face glow with silvery tracks. He had no doubt that this was the faceless girl who had begun to haunt his thoughts. Her tears caused an unfamiliar tug at his heart, he suddenly felt the urge to comfort her. To make all of her worries disappear.
Surprised by the direction of his thoughts. Soujirou smiled sadly, he couldn't comfort her. He couldn't even find peace within himself.
Sensing that someone was watching her, Raiha turned her head towards the willows. A shadow moved and began blending into the surrounding darkness. "Wait!" she suddenly cried out.
Soujirou froze as she cried out to him, before he could make a decision, she had stood up and was approaching cautiously. His usual need to be alone deserted him as he helplessly watched her walk closer.
It's the fisherman. She thought in surprise as she got close enough to see his face.
"Gomen nasai, " Soujirou bowed with a faint smile, "I didn't mean to watch you."
"It's okay." Raiha replied, her gaze drawn to his smiling face. There is something about him, something that's not right. Raiha thought as she began to look at him with a quizzical expression.
"Goodnight, Miss." Soujirou said politely, feeling slightly awkward at her confused gaze. Her eyes, they remind me of Himura's, like they could pierce through my mask with a glance. That should give you sufficient reason to leave right now. Baka! Without waiting for her response, he turned around to disappear into the darkness of night again.
"Wait, don't go!" Raiha cried out, but covered her mouth in shock. What am I saying?
Turning back to gaze at her, Soujirou wrestled with the idea of staying with her. After a few tense moments, Raiha watched with a little relief as he walked from the base of the tree to where she was standing by the bank.
Feeling rather shy, she extended her hand, "I'm Raiha."
Soujirou stared down at her outstretched hand, his fingers itched to touch the silky skin of her wrist but he only smiled and said, "I'm pleased to have met you Raiha-san."
Raiha tilted her head to the side, waiting for him to introduce himself. But when the silence stretched out, she looked up expectantly into his smiling face.
"It's better if Raiha-san, doesn't know my name."
"Oh, I see." she looked disappointed. Swinging her face to gaze at the lake, she wrung her hands on the edge of her cloak. Great he must think that you are so nosy. Why am I out here anyway, I should be in bed, tomorrow . . . tomorrow.
Feeling tears welling up again she shook her head as if she could clear all of the worries she would have to face when the sun rose again. Ah Kami-sama, what will I do? She was jolted out of her thoughts when a warm hand settled on her shoulder. Shifting her gaze to the man standing to her left, for the first time in a long while, she felt she could put down the burden that she has carried since the death of her family, to lean against someone who was stronger than her.
Soujirou knew it was a mistake the moment he set his hand on the girl's shoulder, but she had looked so lost and hopeless, he couldn't help but remember another night so many years ago. Except on that moonless night, rain had poured down in sheets, and there was no one stronger to protect that scared boy. He hadn't realized that his hand had tightened almost painfully on her shoulder when those memories came flooding back until he felt her slender fingers gripping his hand with surprising strength. Their roles had suddenly reversed as she cradled his hand between hers. Facing her, Soujirou thought he would drown in the violet depths of her eyes.
With their hands still joined, Raiha couldn't help but wonder about the memories that brought such a haunted look upon his face, though she couldn't see those memories, she recognized the same hopelessness that she felt. Making a little broken sound from her throat, Raiha lifted a hand to touch the cheek of a man she had never dared to talk to until this night. But before her fingers could make contact, he abruptly pulled his hand out of hers and backed away a few steps.
"Gomen nasai." he spoke with his head bowed down. "I acted inappropriately. It is not good for a young girl to be out with a stranger at this time of the night. Farewell, Raiha-san." Turning around swiftly, he disappeared into the shadow of the willows before she could make a sound of protest.
Raiha stood frozen to the ground, what had just happened? It was madness, she had never acted so boldly with a man, much less a man she didn't even know the name of. But the memory of his callused hands held in her more delicate hands, cause a blush to rise to her cheeks and a slight warmth in her heart. Somehow the burden that had weighed so heavily on her minutes ago seemed lighter. As she made her way back to the small cottage, she saw the smiling stranger in her mind and the thought of the next day was kept at bay.
2 A Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction
Author's Note: This is my very first fanfic that I started a long time ago and I have been wondering whether if I should continue it. Please read and review, onegai!
Spoilers: Tiny ones for the Kyoto Arc
Disclaimer: Rights to Rurouni Kenshin and all of its lovely characters belong to Watsuki Nobuhiro, etc. Original characters all belong to me, but you can probably use them if you ask, ^_^.
3
4 Chapter 1: Joined Hands
5 A young woman in a worn but clean kimono stood behind waving willows to watch a young man fish peacefully by the lake. She passed this spot everyday and for a few moments, the ever present smile of the young man would draw her attention. Today was no different from any other, she stood at her customary spot and watched in silence. But as usual the thought of how foolish her actions were caused her to hurry away after a few minutes.
Seta Soujiro threw his line once again into the clam waters of the lake. He could feel the young woman's gaze on him but he made no motion to startle her. She always comes. He thought to himself, her presence in the past few weeks had slowly become a comfort. In the beginning he didn't think much of her daily visits, but weeks later, he found himself thinking about her every now and then on rainy days when he spent his time inside. That was when he realized that this faceless woman had somehow worked herself into his mind without saying a word to him. Shaking his head a little, he shifted his attention back to fishing, as he laughed at himself, baka, you are just thinking too much of this whole situation.
"Raiha nee-San!" The young woman walked faster to the small cottage as a sweet voice of a little girl rang out from the wooden structure.
"Nee-San, I've finished!" A little girl ran up to the woman holding a flapping piece of paper with pride. "Nee-San, I looked in the dictionary and found this word."
The piece of paper had the character for "wealth" clumsily written in black ink.
"Nee-San, I thought that if I wrote it real nice, then my wishes will come true and we'll have a nice house with lots of food to eat. Then we can buy Nee-San a beautiful kimono and you'll be the prettiest girl in the whole village!"
Raiha felt tears prick at her eyes as she held up the paper with trembling hands. Hugging the little girl close, she whispered into her ear, "You did a really nice job Keiko, I'm sure Kami-sama will grant all of our wishes. Now why don't you go find Nee-San the biggest turnip in the garden and we can have a feast for lunch."
Raiha waited till the little girl skipped away before she let the tears fall. They had no hope whatsoever. They had no money and the land was slowly dying with no one to help them plant and take care of it. But she can't let Keiko starve. I'll do anything, Kami-sama please.
Just as she wiped the last of the futile tears away, a dirty hand grasped the front of her kimono. Gasping softly, she gazed up at the gap- toothed giant, who was busy leering drunkenly at her chest.
"My, my, look at this place, a pretty little girl like yourself shouldn't be living in a place like this."
Raiha flinched as he ran fingers down her cheek. "What are you doing here Keisuke?"
"Have you considered my proposal?"
"I will never marry you!" Raiha looked up in defiance.
"Are ya sure about that? I don't see any eager suitors knocking at your door. This place is not going to hold up any longer, so why don't you just give up little Raiha. You know I would love to take care of you and Keiko, you don't want to see sweet little Keiko starve do you?"
Raiha felt a tug at her heart as she thought of Keiko. She is so young and vibrant. I can . . . I will do anything to protect her. Even if it means . . .
Seeing that his words had affected her as he hoped it would, Keisuke smirked with satisfaction, "I'll give you one more day to consider."
Raiha flipped over restlessly again. Sleep had never been so far away. Feeling the hot rush of tears again, she pressed her fists to her eyes. Damn these pointless tears. I have no choice. I have to think about Keiko's future, if it means I'll have to marry him, I will. But her insides still cringed when she remembered the few snips of gossip she had overheard.
. . . He's a monster, they said he beat his first wife to death . . .
. . . I heard he has never been faithful. I pity the poor woman who'll become his new wife . . .
No! I can't be selfish. Throwing back the covers, Raiha rose and pulled her sleeping robe close to her. As if those actions could ward away the doubts and fear of taking such a man as a husband. Feeling herself sink further into depression, she quickly put on her cloak and headed to the only place that still calmed her soul.
The lake is calm tonight, she thought, the moon reflected brightly on the surface. Raiha had never seen such a beautiful night, but the tears she had tried to hold back fell once again.
Soujiro watched the girl from behind the willow. The moon shone on her face, making her face glow with silvery tracks. He had no doubt that this was the faceless girl who had begun to haunt his thoughts. Her tears caused an unfamiliar tug at his heart, he suddenly felt the urge to comfort her. To make all of her worries disappear.
Surprised by the direction of his thoughts. Soujirou smiled sadly, he couldn't comfort her. He couldn't even find peace within himself.
Sensing that someone was watching her, Raiha turned her head towards the willows. A shadow moved and began blending into the surrounding darkness. "Wait!" she suddenly cried out.
Soujirou froze as she cried out to him, before he could make a decision, she had stood up and was approaching cautiously. His usual need to be alone deserted him as he helplessly watched her walk closer.
It's the fisherman. She thought in surprise as she got close enough to see his face.
"Gomen nasai, " Soujirou bowed with a faint smile, "I didn't mean to watch you."
"It's okay." Raiha replied, her gaze drawn to his smiling face. There is something about him, something that's not right. Raiha thought as she began to look at him with a quizzical expression.
"Goodnight, Miss." Soujirou said politely, feeling slightly awkward at her confused gaze. Her eyes, they remind me of Himura's, like they could pierce through my mask with a glance. That should give you sufficient reason to leave right now. Baka! Without waiting for her response, he turned around to disappear into the darkness of night again.
"Wait, don't go!" Raiha cried out, but covered her mouth in shock. What am I saying?
Turning back to gaze at her, Soujirou wrestled with the idea of staying with her. After a few tense moments, Raiha watched with a little relief as he walked from the base of the tree to where she was standing by the bank.
Feeling rather shy, she extended her hand, "I'm Raiha."
Soujirou stared down at her outstretched hand, his fingers itched to touch the silky skin of her wrist but he only smiled and said, "I'm pleased to have met you Raiha-san."
Raiha tilted her head to the side, waiting for him to introduce himself. But when the silence stretched out, she looked up expectantly into his smiling face.
"It's better if Raiha-san, doesn't know my name."
"Oh, I see." she looked disappointed. Swinging her face to gaze at the lake, she wrung her hands on the edge of her cloak. Great he must think that you are so nosy. Why am I out here anyway, I should be in bed, tomorrow . . . tomorrow.
Feeling tears welling up again she shook her head as if she could clear all of the worries she would have to face when the sun rose again. Ah Kami-sama, what will I do? She was jolted out of her thoughts when a warm hand settled on her shoulder. Shifting her gaze to the man standing to her left, for the first time in a long while, she felt she could put down the burden that she has carried since the death of her family, to lean against someone who was stronger than her.
Soujirou knew it was a mistake the moment he set his hand on the girl's shoulder, but she had looked so lost and hopeless, he couldn't help but remember another night so many years ago. Except on that moonless night, rain had poured down in sheets, and there was no one stronger to protect that scared boy. He hadn't realized that his hand had tightened almost painfully on her shoulder when those memories came flooding back until he felt her slender fingers gripping his hand with surprising strength. Their roles had suddenly reversed as she cradled his hand between hers. Facing her, Soujirou thought he would drown in the violet depths of her eyes.
With their hands still joined, Raiha couldn't help but wonder about the memories that brought such a haunted look upon his face, though she couldn't see those memories, she recognized the same hopelessness that she felt. Making a little broken sound from her throat, Raiha lifted a hand to touch the cheek of a man she had never dared to talk to until this night. But before her fingers could make contact, he abruptly pulled his hand out of hers and backed away a few steps.
"Gomen nasai." he spoke with his head bowed down. "I acted inappropriately. It is not good for a young girl to be out with a stranger at this time of the night. Farewell, Raiha-san." Turning around swiftly, he disappeared into the shadow of the willows before she could make a sound of protest.
Raiha stood frozen to the ground, what had just happened? It was madness, she had never acted so boldly with a man, much less a man she didn't even know the name of. But the memory of his callused hands held in her more delicate hands, cause a blush to rise to her cheeks and a slight warmth in her heart. Somehow the burden that had weighed so heavily on her minutes ago seemed lighter. As she made her way back to the small cottage, she saw the smiling stranger in her mind and the thought of the next day was kept at bay.
