A/N: Hello- Animefreak5483 here. This is my first Kenshin fic- though I am not a new comer to the anime, I luv this show! It has everything an anime watcher could want- action, adventure, humor, drama, and bishies (bishounens)! Kenshin is so cute- but personally Sano reminds me of another tall, dark and mysterious anime boy I know :)
Oh well- tell me what you think of this story- comments and suggestions are welcomed-
Disclaimer: Me no own so you no sue ;)
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Chapter 1
The spring breeze blew through the leaves. The Kamiya dojo stood silent as the trees and freshly washed cloths on the line swayed with the wind. A single red haired wanderer bent over the wash bucket. A tune ran through his head as he continued his labor. But this Rurouni enjoyed this small task. It was eternally better than his last profession… he much preferred this "woman's" work to that of the "man's" work he did during the revolution.
As he submerged his hands in the sudsy water he reflected on his life. He had wandered so long- those years were a confused existence. Each filled with pain, sorrow, regret and loneliness. There were many times he wanted to just lie down and never get up. But she never let him…
"Tomoe," he sighed. She never did let him give up. 'I have too much to do, too much to repent for, that I do.' He always was reminded. He could often times feel her presence, especially during the most painful times. Smiling he looked over to the flowers growing near the traditional styled buildings.
"You don't need to worry about me… I've found my place, that I have." Came his voice in nothing more than a whisper. He had found a little spot for himself here at the dojo with all his new family. For that he was eternally grateful. Here he would finally find a little bit of peace for his war and blood ravaged hands.
The dojo would have been full of their faces at this time of day, but everyone had gone into the town for various reasons. Sano took Yahiko to the local akebeko to tease him about his little love interest there. The doctor and the little girls were with Ms. Megumi at the clinic while Ms. Kaoru was getting some thing in the market. He would usually accompany her, but today was different.
Today was the day that he would always remember for the rest of his life. It was a day his past returned to him no matter where he was… today many years ago he lost his heart. He had thought his heart had died that day as she had in his arms. But to his great surprise ever since he had come to this town, it had suddenly come alive.
The woman with those deep eyes and strong spirit, seemed to have jump started the wounded organ within his chest.
It was then and there as he pulled the sheet from the wash that he decided he would mourn like this no longer.
"You wouldn't want me to be like this, that you would not." He looked up in the sky. Taking the white sheet he hung it up on the lone. He couldn't wash his past of the stains like he did the sheet, but it could be mended… he just hoped it was his Ms. Kaoru that would want to.
He had not had that much experience with women- Tomoe had been his first love. Kaoru would be only the second time his heart fluttered like this.
With the wash complete, Kenshin returned into the dojo and began fixing lunch. Both Sano and Yahiko wouldn't be hungry when they returned, but he wasn't making this meal for them. Not even for the doctor or Megumi. No he had decided to let Kaoru into his heart fully. That is, if she wanted to.
Several sources told him he shouldn't be worried. He wanted to believe Sano, Megumi and even the doctor- but he couldn't help but worry.
'I can't believe I'm shaking this badly, that I am.' He said to himself. 'Calm down there Kenshin.' His mind coached him. How, he wondered, he'd seen countless battles and faced opponents four times his size and never showed a sign of fear. But this thought of this woman he loved terrified every part of him. The battousai wanted to laugh at himself.
As he finished the soup he never heard the loud noises as they broke the serene peace that the Kamiya dojo had been in for the first time in a long while.
"Hey Kenshin- where are you?" Sano's voice called with a chuckle.
"SANO! Be quite!" Yahiko tried to order.
"Kenshin! You've got to hear what happened!" The two rushed into the kitchen area where they found the kind-hearted swordsman caught up in thought.
"Hey Kenshin." Sano's deep voice called out again. Kenshin usually was always aware of his surroundings, but today other matters occupied the agile swordsman.
"KENSHIN!" Sano repeated. Suddenly the wanderer seemed to jump. Sano and Yahiko looked at their friend with worry. They had never been able to sneak up and startle him ever before.
"Oro?"
"Are you alright Kenshin?" Yahiko asked as Kenshin's momentary startled expression passed.
"Oh, back from town are we?" Kenshin smiled at his friends. Looking at the man before them, no one would ever guess that this harmless looking man was such a lethal fighter.
"Kenshin, who are you making that for?" Yahiko questioned. "We already ate."
Sano seemed to catch on to Kenshin's plan.
"Hey Yahiko- why don't you go practice? I'll be out back and we'll spar."
"Fine- I owe you one for embarrassing me in front of everyone." Yahiko said as he turned to leave.
"Everyone? I thought it was only your girlfriend you were trying to empress…" Sano yelled back. Then he turned to Kenshin who had returned to his work preparing his meal.
"So you're going to talk to her?" Sano asked quietly.
"I am going to try, that I am."
"Don't worry Kenshin. She's crazy about you. You just need to look into her eyes to see it. She was a wreck every time you left… she loves you, you know?"
"Thank you friend. I am truly grateful for your words of encouragement, that I am."
"Anyway, good luck buddy." Sano said as he patted Kenshin's back and left to find Yahiko.
-
Kenshin had just set the table as Kaoru returned from her shopping. Taking a deep breath he went out to greet her. He kindly took most of her parcels and brought them into the shrine for her.
"Ms Kaoru I would be honored if you joined this unworthy one, that I would." He told her as he ushered her into the dojo.
"Dinner smells good." She replied as she followed him. She hadn't expected anything like what was prepared though. On the small table she was greeted with the most delicious and best-prepared meal she had ever seen. Kenshin had really out done himself, she thought.
"Kenshin… it looks lovely." She said as she knelt down near the table and smelt the fresh flowers he had picked especially for her.
"I'm glad you like it Ms. Kaoru." Came his reply as he went to her side and put some soup into her bowl. She smiled at him as he finally took his place across the table from her.
"This is delicious Kenshin!" Kaoru said after tasting the most gourmet meal she had ever had. Kaoru looked up after plopping an egg roll into her mouth. It was then she realized Kenshin hadn't yet touched his food.
"Kenshin?" She began looking up at him. The usually relaxed and easy going Kenshin seemed to be preoccupied and almost worried about something.
"Yes, Ms. Kaoru?"
"Is… is something wrong?"
"Oro?… Oh um… nothing's wrong." He got control of himself as he brushed a sweat drop from his face. Taking yet another deep breath he got up and surprised her as he knelt by her side.
"Ms Kaoru… I prepared all this because I need to ask you something, that I do…"
Kaoru felt her heart beat pounding faster. 'Was he? Was he finally going to ask me?' She wondered. How she hoped he would finally let her into his heart… let her help him mend the wounds he still was facing from his past.
"Ms Kaoru, this unworthy one…" He started out before he took her hand in his…
But fate was not with them as there gazes were ripped from each other by a loud voice calling out.
"Sensei! Sensei!" The voice rang out, shattering the moment in the room.
Suddenly a man dressed in an English suit entered the room.
"HEY!" Sano yelled at the man as he ran after the strange man. Sano had tried to keep the man out, but to no avail.
"I need to see Master Kamiya!" The man shouted into the hall of the Kamiya dojo.
Kenshin released Kaoru's hand as they both got up and rushed into the room where the commotion was.
"What's going on here?" Kaoru demanded to know as she entered the room very annoyed.
"This guy wants to see you, I guess." Sano said as he scratched his spiky head. Kaoru motioned for Sano to release the man.
"I need to see Kamiya Sensei right away!" The man said.
"I'm sorry, but that won't be possible. I am the teacher of this school now." Kaoru stated.
"Then it is true- Sensei passed into the next world…" The man said bowing his head in silence for a brief prayer. "You must be his daughter, Kaoru."
"Yes, I am."
"I remember those eyes- you always were a spirited one."
"Do I know you?" Kaoru asked as she looked at the man once again. He was dressed like an Englishman, but his complexion was purely Japanese. His dark eyes and neatly arranged short hair made him have an aura of importance and prestige.
"My name is Yosho. Yamakata, Yosho." The man said. Kaoru knew the name sounded familiar- but at the present she was drawing a blank. " I was taught under your father… you might remember a young boy who pulled you hair a lot." He smiled as it dawned on her who he was.
"Yosho? Is that really you?" She questioned stepping away from Kenshin and closer to the long lost friend.
Looking in to his eyes she recognized the boy who tormented her many years before as they both learned from her father the Kamiya style of fighting.
"I didn't recognize you in that! Where did you get such an expensive suit?" Kaoru asked with a smile.
"After I left the dojo, I went to England to study. I had just returned when I heard rumors of sensei falling ill and dieing. Then there were rumors of the school being in trouble and I came as soon as I could. Oh Kaoru, I'm so sorry." He said taking her form into his arms and embracing her tightly. "I came back to help rebuild the dojo…" Releasing Kaoru he looked over at the red haired man who stood in silence. "But I see your husband is here to help."
"Husband?" She blushed as Yosho motioned at the Rurouni.
"Oro?" Came the response from the wide-eyed wanderer.
"You think Kenshin… is my husband?" She asked. No matter how much she would love for Kenshin to be her husband- her reaction came on suddenly. She burst out laughing to hide the embarrassment and truth of her wanting to be his wife. No one but Sano caught the glimpse of utter heartbreak flash in Kenshin's eyes. But he quickly masked it.
"I am but a simple wandered, who came upon the kindness of this dojo, that I am. You may just call me Kenshin." He spoke up introducing himself. "I'm sure the two of you have much to catch up on, and I am needed to finish my work, that I am. So I will take my leave for a while." He said in a forced happy voice. Kaoru watched as he silently exited the dojo and went outside.
"And you are?" Yosho asked the tall man with the wild hair.
"Sano." He said simply exiting after Kenshin.
"Kaoru I would like to stay- if you have room that is."
"Of course Yosho. You are always welcome here. And now I'll have some one to practice with." She smiled trying to hide the disappointment of her and Kenshin's moment together ending.
"What the wanderer doesn't spar with you? But he has the aura of a great fighter to him." Yosho said looking not so surprised.
"He is, but he has his reasons… but I am being very rude. Please come in." Kaoru said ushering Yosho in from the teaching room and into the room where Kenshin's meal sat.
"Ah, perfect timing." Yosho smiled as he sat down taking the spot where Kenshin had sat so nervously only minutes before. Kaoru was a little saddened that her previous companion had disappeared.
"This is the best food I have ever had. Where did you learn to cook such an excellent rendition of an English dish?" Yosho asked as he hungrily ate the food before him.
"I didn't. Kenshin made the meal." She said looking longingly towards the kitchen. But Kenshin wasn't there.
"The wanderer? Quite interesting. I may need to talk to this mysterious man. Kaoru, do know of the rumors all over the country side tell of a crossed shaped man being the lethal battousai of the revolution?"
"Where did you hear such nonsense?" Kaoru said trying to keep Kenshin's past identity in the past. To many times she had seen him revert from her simple wanderer back into the killing machine that was Battousai the manslayer. She was not going to have it happen again. She had him back now. Kenshin was going to remain and be able to live in peace…
"They also talk of his great skill with the sword- but he hasn't killed anyone around here, that's the interesting part don't you agree?" He questioned as he set down the dish he held. "Why is that?"
"I…I don't have any idea." She offered innocently and tried to change the conversation.
-
The conversation inside continued over the meal, outside Sano found Kenshin sitting in a meditative state near the garden.
"Kenshin." Sano said looking at his friend. The usual carefree wanderer seemed especially worried. "What's wrong Kenshin? You can still tell her. Don't let this guys visit ruin your plans."
"Your words seem wise, that they do…. But I feel something else behind this sudden visit. There might be trouble." Kenshin looked back at the dojo.
"Kenshin, she really cares for you. Just tell her. You were able to tell her that you cared for her to, why is this next step any different?"
Kenshin thought for a short time and then nodded his head. Nodding his head in agreement with Sano's words, he stood. He had decided to go through with it. But he wondered why this strange feeling had suddenly arisen with this Yosho's appearance. He would find that out later, but first he was on a mission….
-
A/n: So what do you think? Does it have potential? If you think so let e know and I'll keep going :)
Oh well- tell me what you think of this story- comments and suggestions are welcomed-
Disclaimer: Me no own so you no sue ;)
-
Chapter 1
The spring breeze blew through the leaves. The Kamiya dojo stood silent as the trees and freshly washed cloths on the line swayed with the wind. A single red haired wanderer bent over the wash bucket. A tune ran through his head as he continued his labor. But this Rurouni enjoyed this small task. It was eternally better than his last profession… he much preferred this "woman's" work to that of the "man's" work he did during the revolution.
As he submerged his hands in the sudsy water he reflected on his life. He had wandered so long- those years were a confused existence. Each filled with pain, sorrow, regret and loneliness. There were many times he wanted to just lie down and never get up. But she never let him…
"Tomoe," he sighed. She never did let him give up. 'I have too much to do, too much to repent for, that I do.' He always was reminded. He could often times feel her presence, especially during the most painful times. Smiling he looked over to the flowers growing near the traditional styled buildings.
"You don't need to worry about me… I've found my place, that I have." Came his voice in nothing more than a whisper. He had found a little spot for himself here at the dojo with all his new family. For that he was eternally grateful. Here he would finally find a little bit of peace for his war and blood ravaged hands.
The dojo would have been full of their faces at this time of day, but everyone had gone into the town for various reasons. Sano took Yahiko to the local akebeko to tease him about his little love interest there. The doctor and the little girls were with Ms. Megumi at the clinic while Ms. Kaoru was getting some thing in the market. He would usually accompany her, but today was different.
Today was the day that he would always remember for the rest of his life. It was a day his past returned to him no matter where he was… today many years ago he lost his heart. He had thought his heart had died that day as she had in his arms. But to his great surprise ever since he had come to this town, it had suddenly come alive.
The woman with those deep eyes and strong spirit, seemed to have jump started the wounded organ within his chest.
It was then and there as he pulled the sheet from the wash that he decided he would mourn like this no longer.
"You wouldn't want me to be like this, that you would not." He looked up in the sky. Taking the white sheet he hung it up on the lone. He couldn't wash his past of the stains like he did the sheet, but it could be mended… he just hoped it was his Ms. Kaoru that would want to.
He had not had that much experience with women- Tomoe had been his first love. Kaoru would be only the second time his heart fluttered like this.
With the wash complete, Kenshin returned into the dojo and began fixing lunch. Both Sano and Yahiko wouldn't be hungry when they returned, but he wasn't making this meal for them. Not even for the doctor or Megumi. No he had decided to let Kaoru into his heart fully. That is, if she wanted to.
Several sources told him he shouldn't be worried. He wanted to believe Sano, Megumi and even the doctor- but he couldn't help but worry.
'I can't believe I'm shaking this badly, that I am.' He said to himself. 'Calm down there Kenshin.' His mind coached him. How, he wondered, he'd seen countless battles and faced opponents four times his size and never showed a sign of fear. But this thought of this woman he loved terrified every part of him. The battousai wanted to laugh at himself.
As he finished the soup he never heard the loud noises as they broke the serene peace that the Kamiya dojo had been in for the first time in a long while.
"Hey Kenshin- where are you?" Sano's voice called with a chuckle.
"SANO! Be quite!" Yahiko tried to order.
"Kenshin! You've got to hear what happened!" The two rushed into the kitchen area where they found the kind-hearted swordsman caught up in thought.
"Hey Kenshin." Sano's deep voice called out again. Kenshin usually was always aware of his surroundings, but today other matters occupied the agile swordsman.
"KENSHIN!" Sano repeated. Suddenly the wanderer seemed to jump. Sano and Yahiko looked at their friend with worry. They had never been able to sneak up and startle him ever before.
"Oro?"
"Are you alright Kenshin?" Yahiko asked as Kenshin's momentary startled expression passed.
"Oh, back from town are we?" Kenshin smiled at his friends. Looking at the man before them, no one would ever guess that this harmless looking man was such a lethal fighter.
"Kenshin, who are you making that for?" Yahiko questioned. "We already ate."
Sano seemed to catch on to Kenshin's plan.
"Hey Yahiko- why don't you go practice? I'll be out back and we'll spar."
"Fine- I owe you one for embarrassing me in front of everyone." Yahiko said as he turned to leave.
"Everyone? I thought it was only your girlfriend you were trying to empress…" Sano yelled back. Then he turned to Kenshin who had returned to his work preparing his meal.
"So you're going to talk to her?" Sano asked quietly.
"I am going to try, that I am."
"Don't worry Kenshin. She's crazy about you. You just need to look into her eyes to see it. She was a wreck every time you left… she loves you, you know?"
"Thank you friend. I am truly grateful for your words of encouragement, that I am."
"Anyway, good luck buddy." Sano said as he patted Kenshin's back and left to find Yahiko.
-
Kenshin had just set the table as Kaoru returned from her shopping. Taking a deep breath he went out to greet her. He kindly took most of her parcels and brought them into the shrine for her.
"Ms Kaoru I would be honored if you joined this unworthy one, that I would." He told her as he ushered her into the dojo.
"Dinner smells good." She replied as she followed him. She hadn't expected anything like what was prepared though. On the small table she was greeted with the most delicious and best-prepared meal she had ever seen. Kenshin had really out done himself, she thought.
"Kenshin… it looks lovely." She said as she knelt down near the table and smelt the fresh flowers he had picked especially for her.
"I'm glad you like it Ms. Kaoru." Came his reply as he went to her side and put some soup into her bowl. She smiled at him as he finally took his place across the table from her.
"This is delicious Kenshin!" Kaoru said after tasting the most gourmet meal she had ever had. Kaoru looked up after plopping an egg roll into her mouth. It was then she realized Kenshin hadn't yet touched his food.
"Kenshin?" She began looking up at him. The usually relaxed and easy going Kenshin seemed to be preoccupied and almost worried about something.
"Yes, Ms. Kaoru?"
"Is… is something wrong?"
"Oro?… Oh um… nothing's wrong." He got control of himself as he brushed a sweat drop from his face. Taking yet another deep breath he got up and surprised her as he knelt by her side.
"Ms Kaoru… I prepared all this because I need to ask you something, that I do…"
Kaoru felt her heart beat pounding faster. 'Was he? Was he finally going to ask me?' She wondered. How she hoped he would finally let her into his heart… let her help him mend the wounds he still was facing from his past.
"Ms Kaoru, this unworthy one…" He started out before he took her hand in his…
But fate was not with them as there gazes were ripped from each other by a loud voice calling out.
"Sensei! Sensei!" The voice rang out, shattering the moment in the room.
Suddenly a man dressed in an English suit entered the room.
"HEY!" Sano yelled at the man as he ran after the strange man. Sano had tried to keep the man out, but to no avail.
"I need to see Master Kamiya!" The man shouted into the hall of the Kamiya dojo.
Kenshin released Kaoru's hand as they both got up and rushed into the room where the commotion was.
"What's going on here?" Kaoru demanded to know as she entered the room very annoyed.
"This guy wants to see you, I guess." Sano said as he scratched his spiky head. Kaoru motioned for Sano to release the man.
"I need to see Kamiya Sensei right away!" The man said.
"I'm sorry, but that won't be possible. I am the teacher of this school now." Kaoru stated.
"Then it is true- Sensei passed into the next world…" The man said bowing his head in silence for a brief prayer. "You must be his daughter, Kaoru."
"Yes, I am."
"I remember those eyes- you always were a spirited one."
"Do I know you?" Kaoru asked as she looked at the man once again. He was dressed like an Englishman, but his complexion was purely Japanese. His dark eyes and neatly arranged short hair made him have an aura of importance and prestige.
"My name is Yosho. Yamakata, Yosho." The man said. Kaoru knew the name sounded familiar- but at the present she was drawing a blank. " I was taught under your father… you might remember a young boy who pulled you hair a lot." He smiled as it dawned on her who he was.
"Yosho? Is that really you?" She questioned stepping away from Kenshin and closer to the long lost friend.
Looking in to his eyes she recognized the boy who tormented her many years before as they both learned from her father the Kamiya style of fighting.
"I didn't recognize you in that! Where did you get such an expensive suit?" Kaoru asked with a smile.
"After I left the dojo, I went to England to study. I had just returned when I heard rumors of sensei falling ill and dieing. Then there were rumors of the school being in trouble and I came as soon as I could. Oh Kaoru, I'm so sorry." He said taking her form into his arms and embracing her tightly. "I came back to help rebuild the dojo…" Releasing Kaoru he looked over at the red haired man who stood in silence. "But I see your husband is here to help."
"Husband?" She blushed as Yosho motioned at the Rurouni.
"Oro?" Came the response from the wide-eyed wanderer.
"You think Kenshin… is my husband?" She asked. No matter how much she would love for Kenshin to be her husband- her reaction came on suddenly. She burst out laughing to hide the embarrassment and truth of her wanting to be his wife. No one but Sano caught the glimpse of utter heartbreak flash in Kenshin's eyes. But he quickly masked it.
"I am but a simple wandered, who came upon the kindness of this dojo, that I am. You may just call me Kenshin." He spoke up introducing himself. "I'm sure the two of you have much to catch up on, and I am needed to finish my work, that I am. So I will take my leave for a while." He said in a forced happy voice. Kaoru watched as he silently exited the dojo and went outside.
"And you are?" Yosho asked the tall man with the wild hair.
"Sano." He said simply exiting after Kenshin.
"Kaoru I would like to stay- if you have room that is."
"Of course Yosho. You are always welcome here. And now I'll have some one to practice with." She smiled trying to hide the disappointment of her and Kenshin's moment together ending.
"What the wanderer doesn't spar with you? But he has the aura of a great fighter to him." Yosho said looking not so surprised.
"He is, but he has his reasons… but I am being very rude. Please come in." Kaoru said ushering Yosho in from the teaching room and into the room where Kenshin's meal sat.
"Ah, perfect timing." Yosho smiled as he sat down taking the spot where Kenshin had sat so nervously only minutes before. Kaoru was a little saddened that her previous companion had disappeared.
"This is the best food I have ever had. Where did you learn to cook such an excellent rendition of an English dish?" Yosho asked as he hungrily ate the food before him.
"I didn't. Kenshin made the meal." She said looking longingly towards the kitchen. But Kenshin wasn't there.
"The wanderer? Quite interesting. I may need to talk to this mysterious man. Kaoru, do know of the rumors all over the country side tell of a crossed shaped man being the lethal battousai of the revolution?"
"Where did you hear such nonsense?" Kaoru said trying to keep Kenshin's past identity in the past. To many times she had seen him revert from her simple wanderer back into the killing machine that was Battousai the manslayer. She was not going to have it happen again. She had him back now. Kenshin was going to remain and be able to live in peace…
"They also talk of his great skill with the sword- but he hasn't killed anyone around here, that's the interesting part don't you agree?" He questioned as he set down the dish he held. "Why is that?"
"I…I don't have any idea." She offered innocently and tried to change the conversation.
-
The conversation inside continued over the meal, outside Sano found Kenshin sitting in a meditative state near the garden.
"Kenshin." Sano said looking at his friend. The usual carefree wanderer seemed especially worried. "What's wrong Kenshin? You can still tell her. Don't let this guys visit ruin your plans."
"Your words seem wise, that they do…. But I feel something else behind this sudden visit. There might be trouble." Kenshin looked back at the dojo.
"Kenshin, she really cares for you. Just tell her. You were able to tell her that you cared for her to, why is this next step any different?"
Kenshin thought for a short time and then nodded his head. Nodding his head in agreement with Sano's words, he stood. He had decided to go through with it. But he wondered why this strange feeling had suddenly arisen with this Yosho's appearance. He would find that out later, but first he was on a mission….
-
A/n: So what do you think? Does it have potential? If you think so let e know and I'll keep going :)
