+ To Never Know +
Summary: Kenshin's family had a secret . . . a secret that should never have been told. But what happens when that secret comes back to haunt Kenshin . . . searching for the truth?
+ To Never Know +
Chapter 2:
Sanouske's Past
I look out to Tokyo, that sweet smell that I rejoice. No, it's not the smell of Ramen, stupid, but the scent of home. Actually, this couldn't be home. After staying here for 2 years, this land is still foreign to me. I remember the good times traveling around. It's then I remember, that princess that stole my heart. The princess that I could've, would've, should've but didn't marry; I remember Princess Katsuni. She had beautiful long soft, night black hair, the eyes that could pierce into one's soul. Her lips were full, and she was so petite and looked like those porcelain China dolls. She was the woman of every man's dreams . . . or at least mine. But, I realize sadly, she was a lonely soul, and it was all because of her father.
Her father, Emperor Takanabe, was the selfish ruler of all of Nihon. He had gained control of all of Nihon when his father was killed in battle with the English. Takanabe has in total 12 children, which strikes as odd because most of these children are the same age. There is speculation that he had kidnapped these children, but then again, who'd want to be executed for treason? Katsuni is the eldest of these children, and she was very much protected by her father. Every suitor that came to the palace wasn't good enough for her.
When I was still the fighter for hire, he had hired me to protect Katsuni on her way to Okinawa. She and I, although forbidden, fell in love with each other. I was still young, being a man of 15, she being a woman of 17. Night after night on our way to Okinawa, we would sneak out to wherever seemed to be the best place for romance, and we'd stay until the earliest rays of the morning sun awoken. We had hoped to runaway and marry in China, then return to Tokyo when her father had passed on, and grow old together.
But sadly, there was no way for that to happen. The reason her father had sent her to Okinawa was to meet with her new husband, for he had arranged it. That bastard! He was nothing more than a coward. On our last night together, we showed our love for each other, if you know what I mean. I left in the morning, not saying goodbye or farewell. Later on, the Meiji government took control of the land her husband was governing. I don't know what had happened to her after that. But I do know, that she is somewhere out there, with that man, living the dream we could've been living now.
I see Kenshin walking out the dojo, I guess heading for the shrine up the hill. He's been like this for the past 2 months, ever since he found out Jou-Chan was pregnant with his child. He too is living my dream. A dream I could never have. I decide to join him. I too need my soul cleansed. I walk up behind him, but I know he had sensed me somewhere along the way. When we had reached the front steps of the shrine, he bowed his head, and I just stared. He must be angry about something, but what?
"Sano, I am sorry, but I must go pray this time alone." He turned and gave me that trademark glare. I knew something was up, but what? Jou-Chan didn't say anything today. In fact, before I left, I found her sleeping in her room.
"What's wrong, Kenshin? I mean, you'll make a great fat-"
"NO!" His voice frightened the nearby birds. I looked into his eyes, and I realized that this was the Battousai talking now. "No, It's not the fact that I'm turning into a father, Sano. It's a dream. . . a dream of a painful memory and secret that I will carry on with me to my grave. I must seek relief with this secret."
Personal problems, huh? I pat him on the shoulder, and head on back to the Dojo. The guy must be carrying some burden, and I feel for him. I look up to the sky and wonder, what would become of me now? I am 21 years of age, and I still have a lot of living to do. Do I go on with my life, carrying the scar of first love? Or, do I grow old, and live life the way I'm living it now? Everyone's got someone now: Kenshin's got Jou-Chan, Yahiko's got Tsubame, although he doesn't want to admit it, and Megumi . . . no way would I want to marry the Fox Lady. She does remind me of Katsuni, but Katsuni's more perfect than she'll ever be. What am I thinking? Katsuni might not be thinking of me at all nowadays, I guess because her husband. . .
I arrive at the dojo, cursing the thought of first love. Dear Kami, please forgive me.
Summary: Kenshin's family had a secret . . . a secret that should never have been told. But what happens when that secret comes back to haunt Kenshin . . . searching for the truth?
+ To Never Know +
Chapter 2:
Sanouske's Past
I look out to Tokyo, that sweet smell that I rejoice. No, it's not the smell of Ramen, stupid, but the scent of home. Actually, this couldn't be home. After staying here for 2 years, this land is still foreign to me. I remember the good times traveling around. It's then I remember, that princess that stole my heart. The princess that I could've, would've, should've but didn't marry; I remember Princess Katsuni. She had beautiful long soft, night black hair, the eyes that could pierce into one's soul. Her lips were full, and she was so petite and looked like those porcelain China dolls. She was the woman of every man's dreams . . . or at least mine. But, I realize sadly, she was a lonely soul, and it was all because of her father.
Her father, Emperor Takanabe, was the selfish ruler of all of Nihon. He had gained control of all of Nihon when his father was killed in battle with the English. Takanabe has in total 12 children, which strikes as odd because most of these children are the same age. There is speculation that he had kidnapped these children, but then again, who'd want to be executed for treason? Katsuni is the eldest of these children, and she was very much protected by her father. Every suitor that came to the palace wasn't good enough for her.
When I was still the fighter for hire, he had hired me to protect Katsuni on her way to Okinawa. She and I, although forbidden, fell in love with each other. I was still young, being a man of 15, she being a woman of 17. Night after night on our way to Okinawa, we would sneak out to wherever seemed to be the best place for romance, and we'd stay until the earliest rays of the morning sun awoken. We had hoped to runaway and marry in China, then return to Tokyo when her father had passed on, and grow old together.
But sadly, there was no way for that to happen. The reason her father had sent her to Okinawa was to meet with her new husband, for he had arranged it. That bastard! He was nothing more than a coward. On our last night together, we showed our love for each other, if you know what I mean. I left in the morning, not saying goodbye or farewell. Later on, the Meiji government took control of the land her husband was governing. I don't know what had happened to her after that. But I do know, that she is somewhere out there, with that man, living the dream we could've been living now.
I see Kenshin walking out the dojo, I guess heading for the shrine up the hill. He's been like this for the past 2 months, ever since he found out Jou-Chan was pregnant with his child. He too is living my dream. A dream I could never have. I decide to join him. I too need my soul cleansed. I walk up behind him, but I know he had sensed me somewhere along the way. When we had reached the front steps of the shrine, he bowed his head, and I just stared. He must be angry about something, but what?
"Sano, I am sorry, but I must go pray this time alone." He turned and gave me that trademark glare. I knew something was up, but what? Jou-Chan didn't say anything today. In fact, before I left, I found her sleeping in her room.
"What's wrong, Kenshin? I mean, you'll make a great fat-"
"NO!" His voice frightened the nearby birds. I looked into his eyes, and I realized that this was the Battousai talking now. "No, It's not the fact that I'm turning into a father, Sano. It's a dream. . . a dream of a painful memory and secret that I will carry on with me to my grave. I must seek relief with this secret."
Personal problems, huh? I pat him on the shoulder, and head on back to the Dojo. The guy must be carrying some burden, and I feel for him. I look up to the sky and wonder, what would become of me now? I am 21 years of age, and I still have a lot of living to do. Do I go on with my life, carrying the scar of first love? Or, do I grow old, and live life the way I'm living it now? Everyone's got someone now: Kenshin's got Jou-Chan, Yahiko's got Tsubame, although he doesn't want to admit it, and Megumi . . . no way would I want to marry the Fox Lady. She does remind me of Katsuni, but Katsuni's more perfect than she'll ever be. What am I thinking? Katsuni might not be thinking of me at all nowadays, I guess because her husband. . .
I arrive at the dojo, cursing the thought of first love. Dear Kami, please forgive me.