Mizukagami de kokoro no kage wo mireba, sore wa ai ga unda
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Disclaimer: I own Akemi and Kaguya and that's it so don't sue me 'cause I have nothing of value anyway.
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Synopsis: The title means When I see my heart's shadow in the water mirror, that is the birth of love. Who is Akemi Mizukagami and what is her secret? How is she connected to the water maiden Kaguya? Kenshin is faced with these questions and more when a chance encounter with the enigmatic Akemi throws Kenshin into a dangerous spirit's search for someone to call her own.
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If asked later on what made Himura Kenshin notice the temple in the first place he wouldn't be able to say. Perhaps it was the sound of unseen bells tinkling in the early evening. Or maybe it was the sound of a child's voice singing so happily. Whatever the reason Kenshin seriously wondered if he ever even looked at the temple before now. No one else on the street seemed to notice it. Maybe it was for his eyes alone. Kenshin didn't realize that he was staring until the tiny girl who had been sweeping the walkway waved and scampered over to him.
"Konnichiwa," she said cheerfully, bowing, "Have you come to pay respects to the Lady of Flowing Waters?" Kenshin looked down at her. She was a tiny thing, no older then 11 or 12. with long black hair and wide ice blue eyes. She was much to young to be a priestess but Kenshin couldn't see anyone else around.
"No," he finally answered, "I'm on my way home and heard you singing, that I did," the child's smile fell. She looked so sad that Kenshin almost wanted to cry himself, "But would you be so kind as to show me your temple? I'm sure that my friends won't mind if I'm a little late, that they won't," the effect was amazing, her entire face broke into a smile, as she grabbed his hand and began leading him behind the temple. It was all he could do from losing his precarious hold on the fresh groceries, "Whoa, whoa, wait please. I'm going to lose my food, that I am," the girl waited patiently for Kenshin to put the food in a safe place, "Please, lead on miss…um…."
"Akemi. My name is Mizukagami Akemi. And I'm very pleased to meet you."
"My name is Himura Kenshin and I'm pleased to meet you, Akemi-Chan, that I certainly am," Akemi giggled as Kenshin extended his hand to her and allowed himself to be led into a garden behind the temple.
"There is someone who I'd like you to meet Kenshin-sama," the garden that they were in was filled with roses and Sakura trees. Petals from both plants mixed together as they were carried on a light breeze that Kenshin was sure he didn't feel before entering the garden. In the middle of it all was a large pool of sparkling blue-green water. Standing in the water was a woman. She was tall with ethereal features. Her hair was long and white-blonde and her eyes lighter than Akemi's. Kenshin sucked in a breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them again the woman had disappeared and was replaced by a statue.
"Hm? Where did she go?" Akemi gazed at him.
"Who?"
"The woman standing on the water in the pond," Akemi giggled again.
"The statue? She's still there."
"No. The woman. She had long blonde hair and light blue eyes, that she did," Akemi giggled a third time, it was really cute.
"It sounds as if the Lady of Flowing Waters, Lady Kaguya, revealed herself to you. She must like you then."
"Lady Kaguya?"
"Hm-hm. Lady Kaguya is the spirit to which this temple is dedicated. It had been said that a long time ago Lady Kaguya was a great warriors who could walk on the water. She was lonely and wanted a mate but her father decreed that the only man that could have her was the one who could beat her in battle. Unfortunately no one could and she died. They say that every night this statue turn into the real Lady Kaguya and searches for a man who can beat her. I wish I could see it. Lady Kaguya is so beautiful."
"If the stories are true than why don't you just stay up and wait for her?"
"I've tried but I always fall asleep just after sunset and that's the time that she's supposed to come alive. I know that is I could see her just once I'd bee so happy."
"Akemi-Chan are you all alone here?"
"Oh no. Lady Kaguya is with me."
"No. I meant do you have a family?"
"No. I was left here at an early age. The old priestess taught me everything she knew about Lady Kaguya and how to take care of the temple before she died. I've been here ever since. I don't need a family really not when I have Lady Kaguya by my side," Kenshin looked once more at the statue but it remained motionless. He thanked Akemi for her wonderful story and gave her some money.
"Will you visit me again Kenshin-sama? Lady Kaguya likes you I can feel it."
"I'll come again, that I will."
"Promise?" she looked so hopeful that Kenshin couldn't refuse her.
"Of course. I'll come back tomorrow and I'll bring my friends how does that sound?" Akemi hugged him around the middle. She really was very cute.
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"Just where were you Kenshin?" Kamiya Kaoru demanded. Kenshin smiled nervously, "I have been waiting for and hour for you to return!"
"I saw this temple and there was this girl and she was so cute, that she was." Kaoru nearly internally exploded. He was with a WHAT?!?! Yahiko snickered and nudged Kenshin in the ribs.
"A girl huh Kenshin?"
"No it wasn't like that, that it wasn't."
"Uh-huh. Riiiiiiiight," Sagara Sanosuke added sarcastically, "So how old was she?"
"She was only a little child, that she was," the others gaped at him.
"A little kid? Kenshin that's sick," Kenshin turned a brilliant shade of crimson.
"You don't understand. It really wasn't like that. She was a temple priestess and she showed me around the temple, that she did. Nothing happened. She was very cute though, that she was," Kaoru breathed a sigh of relief then snatched the groceries out of Kenshin's grasp.
"What was her name?"
"Akemi. She seemed very lonely, that she did, I'm going to visit her tomorrow. I'd like you all to meet her."
"Why?" Yahiko asked.
"I feel bad for her, that I do. She's all alone in the temple except for the temple's spirit. Lady Kaguya," Kaoru dropped a fish.
"Lady Kaguya?!?"
"What's up? Someone you know?" Sanosuke wanted to know.
"She's supposed to be this water demon that's taken the form of a young woman that wanders the streets hunting for men she can control," Kenshin looked puzzled.
"Akemi's story was slightly different, that it was. I wonder if it was because she's a priestess in the Lady's temple."