Hello again! Thanks to everybody who read and reviewed! Please tell me how
I can improve, I know I'm not as good as some writers over here, but then
I've been here for only a few months. ^_^
Kenshin has jumped the time-space continuum. Let's go!
(more tense revision.....past progressive, past perfect, simple past, past emphatic.....)
..................
DAY ONE
The time machine had stopped spinning. All was still in Daigoro's little shack. Kenshin heaved a sigh of relief. At least, he was very much alive. Daigoro was not kidding when he said 3 G was very uncomfortable.
He looked around the shack for Daigoro and Sanosuke. They were gone. Maybe they left at the height of the rotation? He decided to look around.
He walked back into the house and into the reception room. Whatever the case, he would wait for the guys there. He made himself comfortable by the table and waited.
Soon Daigoro rushed by the room, carrying books and papers haphazardly. His glasses were askew, and he was bareheaded.
"Oi, Himura-san! I didn't know you came for a visit! Please wait a bit while I get some tea for you."
Visit? What was he talking about? Kenshin wondered. Is it REALLY possible that he...
Daigoro returned with a little teapot and two cups.
"Now, what can I do for you? Did you want anything translated? I'm sorry, but I have two books already in the works, so I'm kind of busy. If you're willing to wait a week, though, I might be ready..."
"Oh, no, Daigoro-dono. But could you tell me what day it is today?"
"Huh? It's October 1, Himura-san. I just asked my wife. Why do you ask?"
October 1? Kenshin wondered again. This morning it was October 8, I swear I saw the calendar!
So it IS true....
"Daigoro-dono," Kenshin cautiously asked, "Do you still read those books of yours?"
"Jules Verne's? Sure, sometimes, when I'm not as busy. Do you want to borrow one? I have them translated already..."
"Daigoro-dono, do you believe in time travel?"
Daigoro gave him a beaming smile. "Oh, YES! I can't believe you're asking me! I don't think I've told you guys at the Kamiya dojo yet, but I have this machine that takes me back in time, at least for a few days...want to have a look?"
"Thank you, Daigoro-dono, but I've been to the back of your house, looking for you, and I've seen the machine. It looks like a carriage with a table beside it, yes?"
"That's the one. Since I got busy I haven't been using it lately, but just last week I ran some tests. You should have seen the worry on my wife's face......"
It IS true. Daigoro had been successful in sending Kenshin back seven days to the past.
"Daigoro-dono," Kenshin interrupted, "are there adverse effects to stepping back in time?"
"Personally, I have not encountered any problems," he reassured him. "But then, I never planned to change the course of history too much using the machine. I would guess that if the machine fell into the wrong hands, it might be used for evil. But while I have it, and once I have perfected it, I'll use it only to stop evil from happening."
Don't worry, Daigoro-dono, my friend. Kenshin thought to himself. You're already helping me now, to stop evil from happening. I hope not to fail your trust in me.
"That is wonderful to hear," That was the only thing Kenshin told him for now. "Thank you for tea, now I have to be going back.....to Kaoru- dono....."
"You're welcome, Himura-san. Please tell her that we'll be visiting you folks in a few days, so she had better wait for us!"
Kenshin nodded and walked out into the darkening Tokyo streets. Maa, why didn't Daigoro send me back earlier today? He thought. As it is, I now have to go straight back home, accomplishing nothing.
He worked his way past the capital buildings, the police precinct, the market. Everything was normal. Everybody was finishing the day in his own way. Nothing was askew. He even saw Megumi locking up the Oguni clinic. They exchanged smiles and walked their separate ways.
But he knew that he indeed stepped back in time. Meat was only sold on Mondays, and it was sold today, a Monday, October 1. It could not have been October 8. Meat had not arrived, Sanosuke told him, on the way to Daigoro's house. The vendors were afraid of further attacks on the streets, after the assassination attempt of October 7.
And he heard the rumors.
"Did you hear? The American ambassador is coming to Tokyo!"
"There's going to be a grand parade on Sunday!"
"Wow! I'm going to see a foreigner!"
So the parade had not occurred yet, the ambassador was still on his way to Tokyo....and Kaoru was still alive......
Kenshin was full of this assurance as he turned the corner and opened the door of the Kamiya dojo.
Even here, everything was as normal as could be. Yahiko, good boy, had swept the front yard well, and was making his way to the kitchen. Sanosuke was nowhere here, so that meant he had gone back to his longhouse for dinner. And Kaoru....
"KENSHIN!"
A high-pitched shout pierced the air.
"Where is the tofu?!"
A red-faced girl, armed with a broom, was charging fast and straight toward Kenshin.
He finally remembered. That Monday, October 1, Kaoru sent him out to buy tofu for dinner. But since he came from Daigoro's house, he did not pass the market center, and was not able to buy any.
That is beside the point! Kenshin told himself. Kaoru-dono is here, Kaoru- dono is fine..
Kaoru is alive.
Another Kaoru flashed before him. One that wore a new kimono and an indigo ribbon, waving happily at him. One that suddenly rushed at him and held him tightly. The one that fell on to the pavement. The one that held his hand with her last breath. The one he saw, peaceful under a white sheet.
Kenshin could restrain himself no longer.
He drew the young woman close to him and embraced her. A few tears fell to one cheek. He ran his hands through her long and straight black hair. He felt the rustle of her kimono beside his yukata. He relished the warm breathing beside his face. And he touched the warm cheek next to his.
He was not going to let go of her. To let go of her would mean that he would give her in again to danger. He was not going to let her die. He was not going to let her out of his sight again. He was not....
SLAP!
"How DARE you do that, Kenshin!" Kaoru scolded him suddenly. "First you don't bring me tofu, then you suddenly hug me and go over my hair and clothes! Hentai!"
"Um, anou, I apologize, um Kaoru-dono." Kenshin blushingly replied. "It's just that, well, you see, I could not help it...you don't know what I know....."
"Oh, sure! NOW you say that!" Kaoru turned her back on him and teased, "Just for that, no dinner for you, Kenshin!"
Kenshin only smiled. He was happy enough. Kaoru-dono was alive.
It was now just a matter of keeping her alive.
That night, Kenshin was sleeping restlessly, thinking about his strange day, wondering what he would do next, planning his next move. It was still so confusing.
"Kenshin!"
"Kaoru-dono!"
But it was not the Kaoru-dono of that afternoon, armed with a broom and a hard slap. It was again the Kaoru of that fateful day, wearing a beautiful new kimono. The angel of his delirium. He suddenly sat ramrod-straight in his futon. He realized the awful truth. It was still going to happen.
"Oh, no...you are still in heaven, Kaoru-dono...."
"Yes, unfortunately. But, don't you see, your trip to the past went by so smoothly. Now, everything is up to you."
"But what do I do now, Kaoru-dono?"
The angel before him shrugged. "How should I know? You're the one with connections to the police, and you're the one with the brains. You'll think of something."
"Not much of a consolation, Kaoru-dono."
"Don't worry. I'll try to be with you for as long as possible. Time and space are not a concern for angels. For now, don't worry about me, but think about the me there in the dojo with you tonight."
The vision of Kaoru disappeared.
The one on earth quietly opened the door to Kenshin's room and peered in.
"Kenshin, who were you talking to just now?"
Kenshin looked at her sleepy face for a long while, as if reminding himself of the reality of THIS Kaoru, and gave her a big smile.
"I was talking to you."
........................
Sorry, I'm not particularly good with romantic mush. ^_^ But I hope you liked what you got. See ya!
Kenshin has jumped the time-space continuum. Let's go!
(more tense revision.....past progressive, past perfect, simple past, past emphatic.....)
..................
DAY ONE
The time machine had stopped spinning. All was still in Daigoro's little shack. Kenshin heaved a sigh of relief. At least, he was very much alive. Daigoro was not kidding when he said 3 G was very uncomfortable.
He looked around the shack for Daigoro and Sanosuke. They were gone. Maybe they left at the height of the rotation? He decided to look around.
He walked back into the house and into the reception room. Whatever the case, he would wait for the guys there. He made himself comfortable by the table and waited.
Soon Daigoro rushed by the room, carrying books and papers haphazardly. His glasses were askew, and he was bareheaded.
"Oi, Himura-san! I didn't know you came for a visit! Please wait a bit while I get some tea for you."
Visit? What was he talking about? Kenshin wondered. Is it REALLY possible that he...
Daigoro returned with a little teapot and two cups.
"Now, what can I do for you? Did you want anything translated? I'm sorry, but I have two books already in the works, so I'm kind of busy. If you're willing to wait a week, though, I might be ready..."
"Oh, no, Daigoro-dono. But could you tell me what day it is today?"
"Huh? It's October 1, Himura-san. I just asked my wife. Why do you ask?"
October 1? Kenshin wondered again. This morning it was October 8, I swear I saw the calendar!
So it IS true....
"Daigoro-dono," Kenshin cautiously asked, "Do you still read those books of yours?"
"Jules Verne's? Sure, sometimes, when I'm not as busy. Do you want to borrow one? I have them translated already..."
"Daigoro-dono, do you believe in time travel?"
Daigoro gave him a beaming smile. "Oh, YES! I can't believe you're asking me! I don't think I've told you guys at the Kamiya dojo yet, but I have this machine that takes me back in time, at least for a few days...want to have a look?"
"Thank you, Daigoro-dono, but I've been to the back of your house, looking for you, and I've seen the machine. It looks like a carriage with a table beside it, yes?"
"That's the one. Since I got busy I haven't been using it lately, but just last week I ran some tests. You should have seen the worry on my wife's face......"
It IS true. Daigoro had been successful in sending Kenshin back seven days to the past.
"Daigoro-dono," Kenshin interrupted, "are there adverse effects to stepping back in time?"
"Personally, I have not encountered any problems," he reassured him. "But then, I never planned to change the course of history too much using the machine. I would guess that if the machine fell into the wrong hands, it might be used for evil. But while I have it, and once I have perfected it, I'll use it only to stop evil from happening."
Don't worry, Daigoro-dono, my friend. Kenshin thought to himself. You're already helping me now, to stop evil from happening. I hope not to fail your trust in me.
"That is wonderful to hear," That was the only thing Kenshin told him for now. "Thank you for tea, now I have to be going back.....to Kaoru- dono....."
"You're welcome, Himura-san. Please tell her that we'll be visiting you folks in a few days, so she had better wait for us!"
Kenshin nodded and walked out into the darkening Tokyo streets. Maa, why didn't Daigoro send me back earlier today? He thought. As it is, I now have to go straight back home, accomplishing nothing.
He worked his way past the capital buildings, the police precinct, the market. Everything was normal. Everybody was finishing the day in his own way. Nothing was askew. He even saw Megumi locking up the Oguni clinic. They exchanged smiles and walked their separate ways.
But he knew that he indeed stepped back in time. Meat was only sold on Mondays, and it was sold today, a Monday, October 1. It could not have been October 8. Meat had not arrived, Sanosuke told him, on the way to Daigoro's house. The vendors were afraid of further attacks on the streets, after the assassination attempt of October 7.
And he heard the rumors.
"Did you hear? The American ambassador is coming to Tokyo!"
"There's going to be a grand parade on Sunday!"
"Wow! I'm going to see a foreigner!"
So the parade had not occurred yet, the ambassador was still on his way to Tokyo....and Kaoru was still alive......
Kenshin was full of this assurance as he turned the corner and opened the door of the Kamiya dojo.
Even here, everything was as normal as could be. Yahiko, good boy, had swept the front yard well, and was making his way to the kitchen. Sanosuke was nowhere here, so that meant he had gone back to his longhouse for dinner. And Kaoru....
"KENSHIN!"
A high-pitched shout pierced the air.
"Where is the tofu?!"
A red-faced girl, armed with a broom, was charging fast and straight toward Kenshin.
He finally remembered. That Monday, October 1, Kaoru sent him out to buy tofu for dinner. But since he came from Daigoro's house, he did not pass the market center, and was not able to buy any.
That is beside the point! Kenshin told himself. Kaoru-dono is here, Kaoru- dono is fine..
Kaoru is alive.
Another Kaoru flashed before him. One that wore a new kimono and an indigo ribbon, waving happily at him. One that suddenly rushed at him and held him tightly. The one that fell on to the pavement. The one that held his hand with her last breath. The one he saw, peaceful under a white sheet.
Kenshin could restrain himself no longer.
He drew the young woman close to him and embraced her. A few tears fell to one cheek. He ran his hands through her long and straight black hair. He felt the rustle of her kimono beside his yukata. He relished the warm breathing beside his face. And he touched the warm cheek next to his.
He was not going to let go of her. To let go of her would mean that he would give her in again to danger. He was not going to let her die. He was not going to let her out of his sight again. He was not....
SLAP!
"How DARE you do that, Kenshin!" Kaoru scolded him suddenly. "First you don't bring me tofu, then you suddenly hug me and go over my hair and clothes! Hentai!"
"Um, anou, I apologize, um Kaoru-dono." Kenshin blushingly replied. "It's just that, well, you see, I could not help it...you don't know what I know....."
"Oh, sure! NOW you say that!" Kaoru turned her back on him and teased, "Just for that, no dinner for you, Kenshin!"
Kenshin only smiled. He was happy enough. Kaoru-dono was alive.
It was now just a matter of keeping her alive.
That night, Kenshin was sleeping restlessly, thinking about his strange day, wondering what he would do next, planning his next move. It was still so confusing.
"Kenshin!"
"Kaoru-dono!"
But it was not the Kaoru-dono of that afternoon, armed with a broom and a hard slap. It was again the Kaoru of that fateful day, wearing a beautiful new kimono. The angel of his delirium. He suddenly sat ramrod-straight in his futon. He realized the awful truth. It was still going to happen.
"Oh, no...you are still in heaven, Kaoru-dono...."
"Yes, unfortunately. But, don't you see, your trip to the past went by so smoothly. Now, everything is up to you."
"But what do I do now, Kaoru-dono?"
The angel before him shrugged. "How should I know? You're the one with connections to the police, and you're the one with the brains. You'll think of something."
"Not much of a consolation, Kaoru-dono."
"Don't worry. I'll try to be with you for as long as possible. Time and space are not a concern for angels. For now, don't worry about me, but think about the me there in the dojo with you tonight."
The vision of Kaoru disappeared.
The one on earth quietly opened the door to Kenshin's room and peered in.
"Kenshin, who were you talking to just now?"
Kenshin looked at her sleepy face for a long while, as if reminding himself of the reality of THIS Kaoru, and gave her a big smile.
"I was talking to you."
........................
Sorry, I'm not particularly good with romantic mush. ^_^ But I hope you liked what you got. See ya!