+To Never Know+
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. I do own Princess Katsuni, but that's it.
+To Never Know+ ^_^X
Chapter 4:
Truth Behold: Deathbed Confessional
-+ Last Time+-
"Katsuni. . . " I look up to her, and she stares back at me with those piercing eyes. I cannot get up; the pain, suffering, and joy is too much to bear. I hear the footsteps of Sano coming my way. He suddenly stops, and stares. I quietly sob, for this is a joyous moment in my life.
-+ Present +-
All of time stopped for me. I could not believe it. Right before me, stood the woman I had longed to see. The woman I had dreamed of; I dare not say her name. I fear that if I were to, I would loose all composure and break down right there. I see Kenshin, sobbing quietly and silently whispering 'okaasan' over and over. I look at her, and her eyes pierce through my soul. I cannot hold it any longer.
"Katsuni . . . Takanabe Katsuni . . . is it really you." I bow in respect, or if you want the truth, I knelt because I no longer felt my legs. She smiles the saddest smile imaginable, and she silently whispers my name.
"Sagara Sanouske . . . dear sir, please, arise. I am not of royal lineage. There is no reason to bow at my feet. Please . . . please get up." Her voice is shaking as she says this. I see the joy in her eyes, but there is sadness hidden beneath them. We arose, and we all walked into the Dojo.
-+Later That Night +-
We've all had our sake and dinner, thanks to Karou, who by the way, has improved in her cooking tremendously. Karou is totally clueless as to why Kenshin broke down and cried out there, and so am I. The princess looks at Kenshin, and smiles. I hope Karou doesn't take it the wrong way.
"Thank you all, for your compassion and hospitality. I . . . cannot thank you all enough." We could tell that something had troubled her. Kenshin went to Karou's side, and placed his arm around her.
"Princess Katsuni-" She waved her hand briefly. "No, please, Himura- San. I am not of royal lineage, I have recently found out. Please, address me plainly as Katsuni." He nodded his head.
"Forgive me, Katsuni, but this is my wife, Himura Karou, and I see that you have already met Sano. Karou, Sano, I would like for you to meet Takanabe Katsuni, who was the Princess of Nihon before the Revolution." We all stood there, dumbfolded. How did he know all that?
"So, Katsuni, why is it that you do not wish for us to address you as 'princess', for you are of the royal family," Karou inquired. That was the same thing running through everyone's mind. Katsuni bowed her head slightly, and looked at Kenshin. "This is why I came here, Himura. I have found out, through my 'mother', that I am adopted, that I cannot inherit anything of Emperor Takanabe because I am not his child."
We all stood there, silent. She still hasn't said why she had arrived. Kenshin gave a big sigh, and looked back at Katsuni. "I would like to know if I truly am, born of peasants. My mother had told me that both of my birth parents were dead, and that their only son had wandered off somewhere. I am determined to find him. But, the government is of no help, for they claim that that man had died years ago."
We were silent again. Kenshin broke the silence once more with a sigh. Then, he looked at Katsuni.
"I was born of peasants, but they have since passed on due to a plague that had conquered our village. I was also, missing a sister. My father had admitted to me, a secret, a secret that I should carry on to my grave."
I stared at Kenshin. He had a sister? The famed Hitokiri Battousai had a sister?
[Kenshin's POV]
That woman, although there is not that much proof now, is indeed my sister. I see within her my mother, the woman I miss dearly. The same midnight hair, the soft face, and most especially: her eyes. I remember my father on the day of her funeral. He could not bear the fact of her closing her eyes while she was buried. He left them open, for he wanted her eyes to be shown to the world. Those same eyes are very rare in Nihon, for they came all the way from China. My mother is a straight descendent from China, which is where my sister inherited her eyes. I think back to what I had just told this woman: my father had admitted to me a secret, a secret that I should carry on to my grave. I close my eyes and see myself as an 8-year- old boy, near his father's side, on that dark and rainy night.
[Saitama, Nihon: Many Years Earlier]
The rain is pouring so harsh outside as my father and I stay indoors, trying to warm up. I give my father some cool water to drink, for he seems to be burning in an everlasting pit in Hades. I look to him, and wonder: would this be the last night I spend with my father? I had just lost my mother a couple of months ago, and I am afraid to be alone. No, I cannot be alone. I am only a boy. But, the end seems so near. My father looks at me with his bony face (he had lost weight during his illness) and opens his mouth to speak.
"Shinta. . . Shinta my son, please, approach me." He motions me over with great difficulty.
"Yes Otoosan," I reply. I walk towards him, slowly and carefully. He motions for me to sit next to him, and that, I do. He looks out into the dripping leak in the ceiling, and starts to tear.
"My son, I am being punished for a greedy and despicable deed that I had committed in my lifetime. Okaasan has gone to rest in peace in the heavens for the suffering I had caused to her. But you, my son, are to be kept on earth to try and correct my mistake, my wrongs." I stare at him with confusion. What is he trying to say? He looks at me, and his vision borrows mine. "Do you not remember your sister, the princess of Nihon?" Jealousy rages through my soul. How can I forget the famed Princess Katsuni? Otoosan senses my jealousy, and pats me on the head.
"Do not be jealous, my son, for it is not her choice that she is there. My son, forgive me for what I am about to tell you." He sighs, and begins. "I am but a poor peasant who tries to go by day by day with food for my family. At that time, we were in a difficult situation: the crops have not grown at all, and your mother was pregnant with your sister. We were rejoicing and cursing at the same time, for it was almost impossible to go on by day with you." I look to the ground. My parents . . . they were having trouble with me?
"No, my son. Do not feel bad for the situation that we were in, or the situation that you had put us through. At the same time, the prince of Nihon had married the barren maiden from China. He did not want to disgrace her or himself publicly, so he had hired your obasan to claim every child she delivers as his, with compensation to each of the families at least 400 yen. I was greedy enough to accept that, but your okaasan, on the other hand, was upset and disappointed with me. I do not blame her * cough * my son. I didn't realize the value of a daughter, until that night she was taken from me."
I looked at my father, and tears form in my eyes. "Do you remember the last time you had seen your sister?" I nod my head in recognition. "The Emperor had ordered that I left, for there is speculation around the palace of your sister's birthright. I was to go to Saitama *cough * or in other words, here." He looks to the leaking roof, and starts to weep. I stand there, not knowing what to do. "My son, please forgive this foolish dying man. Please, forgive me, so that I may go to Hades in peace, knowing that at least my only son has forgiven me." I look at my father, and with all my might I hug him. " Yes, Otoosan, I forgive you. I forgive you Otoosan." I step aside to find him smiling at me. "Thank you, son. I have been forgiven . . . before . . . I reached . . . Hades."
[End Flashback]
My father died that night, when the rain had ceased, and the moon had appeared out of the shadows of the sky. I stare back at Katsuni, and I know for sure that she is my sister. But, due to the events of long ago, it will be shocking to find that the one who tried to assassinate her was indeed her flesh and blood.
"But Himura, is this secret in relation to my situation?" I break my concentration to find Katsuni questioning me. I mask my true expression with that trademark smile. "That, Princess is a secret that I shall never tell. I am a man of my word, and so, it shall remain that way."
We continue to eat our dinner, and it was decided that Katsuni would sleep in our guestroom of the Dojo. Sano, I know, cannot resist the temptation, which is why I have requested that he sleep outside. I shall not have my best friend touch my guest. . . my sister . . .
~-~-~~~~~~~~~
Translations:
Obasan- Aunt
Okaasan- Mother
Otoosan- Father
Saitama- Prefecture of the Kanto Region, which also includes the Tokyo, Gunma, Chiba, Ibaraki, Kanegawa, and Tochigi prefectures
+A. N. +
So, how'd I do? If you've noticed, Megumi is only mentioned ONCE throughout the fic. Do you want her to make an appearance? If so, please review. I mean, I do feel for the little people ^_^x. Also, fair warning: this fic might turn R rated in the near future *gets out crystal ball* Hum ma na hum ma na! In the very near future: I'm going to leave you all! * those frm. Guam would know what im talking about ^_^x. * Alright everyone! L8er!
Since. Angelik Nikole
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. I do own Princess Katsuni, but that's it.
+To Never Know+ ^_^X
Chapter 4:
Truth Behold: Deathbed Confessional
-+ Last Time+-
"Katsuni. . . " I look up to her, and she stares back at me with those piercing eyes. I cannot get up; the pain, suffering, and joy is too much to bear. I hear the footsteps of Sano coming my way. He suddenly stops, and stares. I quietly sob, for this is a joyous moment in my life.
-+ Present +-
All of time stopped for me. I could not believe it. Right before me, stood the woman I had longed to see. The woman I had dreamed of; I dare not say her name. I fear that if I were to, I would loose all composure and break down right there. I see Kenshin, sobbing quietly and silently whispering 'okaasan' over and over. I look at her, and her eyes pierce through my soul. I cannot hold it any longer.
"Katsuni . . . Takanabe Katsuni . . . is it really you." I bow in respect, or if you want the truth, I knelt because I no longer felt my legs. She smiles the saddest smile imaginable, and she silently whispers my name.
"Sagara Sanouske . . . dear sir, please, arise. I am not of royal lineage. There is no reason to bow at my feet. Please . . . please get up." Her voice is shaking as she says this. I see the joy in her eyes, but there is sadness hidden beneath them. We arose, and we all walked into the Dojo.
-+Later That Night +-
We've all had our sake and dinner, thanks to Karou, who by the way, has improved in her cooking tremendously. Karou is totally clueless as to why Kenshin broke down and cried out there, and so am I. The princess looks at Kenshin, and smiles. I hope Karou doesn't take it the wrong way.
"Thank you all, for your compassion and hospitality. I . . . cannot thank you all enough." We could tell that something had troubled her. Kenshin went to Karou's side, and placed his arm around her.
"Princess Katsuni-" She waved her hand briefly. "No, please, Himura- San. I am not of royal lineage, I have recently found out. Please, address me plainly as Katsuni." He nodded his head.
"Forgive me, Katsuni, but this is my wife, Himura Karou, and I see that you have already met Sano. Karou, Sano, I would like for you to meet Takanabe Katsuni, who was the Princess of Nihon before the Revolution." We all stood there, dumbfolded. How did he know all that?
"So, Katsuni, why is it that you do not wish for us to address you as 'princess', for you are of the royal family," Karou inquired. That was the same thing running through everyone's mind. Katsuni bowed her head slightly, and looked at Kenshin. "This is why I came here, Himura. I have found out, through my 'mother', that I am adopted, that I cannot inherit anything of Emperor Takanabe because I am not his child."
We all stood there, silent. She still hasn't said why she had arrived. Kenshin gave a big sigh, and looked back at Katsuni. "I would like to know if I truly am, born of peasants. My mother had told me that both of my birth parents were dead, and that their only son had wandered off somewhere. I am determined to find him. But, the government is of no help, for they claim that that man had died years ago."
We were silent again. Kenshin broke the silence once more with a sigh. Then, he looked at Katsuni.
"I was born of peasants, but they have since passed on due to a plague that had conquered our village. I was also, missing a sister. My father had admitted to me, a secret, a secret that I should carry on to my grave."
I stared at Kenshin. He had a sister? The famed Hitokiri Battousai had a sister?
[Kenshin's POV]
That woman, although there is not that much proof now, is indeed my sister. I see within her my mother, the woman I miss dearly. The same midnight hair, the soft face, and most especially: her eyes. I remember my father on the day of her funeral. He could not bear the fact of her closing her eyes while she was buried. He left them open, for he wanted her eyes to be shown to the world. Those same eyes are very rare in Nihon, for they came all the way from China. My mother is a straight descendent from China, which is where my sister inherited her eyes. I think back to what I had just told this woman: my father had admitted to me a secret, a secret that I should carry on to my grave. I close my eyes and see myself as an 8-year- old boy, near his father's side, on that dark and rainy night.
[Saitama, Nihon: Many Years Earlier]
The rain is pouring so harsh outside as my father and I stay indoors, trying to warm up. I give my father some cool water to drink, for he seems to be burning in an everlasting pit in Hades. I look to him, and wonder: would this be the last night I spend with my father? I had just lost my mother a couple of months ago, and I am afraid to be alone. No, I cannot be alone. I am only a boy. But, the end seems so near. My father looks at me with his bony face (he had lost weight during his illness) and opens his mouth to speak.
"Shinta. . . Shinta my son, please, approach me." He motions me over with great difficulty.
"Yes Otoosan," I reply. I walk towards him, slowly and carefully. He motions for me to sit next to him, and that, I do. He looks out into the dripping leak in the ceiling, and starts to tear.
"My son, I am being punished for a greedy and despicable deed that I had committed in my lifetime. Okaasan has gone to rest in peace in the heavens for the suffering I had caused to her. But you, my son, are to be kept on earth to try and correct my mistake, my wrongs." I stare at him with confusion. What is he trying to say? He looks at me, and his vision borrows mine. "Do you not remember your sister, the princess of Nihon?" Jealousy rages through my soul. How can I forget the famed Princess Katsuni? Otoosan senses my jealousy, and pats me on the head.
"Do not be jealous, my son, for it is not her choice that she is there. My son, forgive me for what I am about to tell you." He sighs, and begins. "I am but a poor peasant who tries to go by day by day with food for my family. At that time, we were in a difficult situation: the crops have not grown at all, and your mother was pregnant with your sister. We were rejoicing and cursing at the same time, for it was almost impossible to go on by day with you." I look to the ground. My parents . . . they were having trouble with me?
"No, my son. Do not feel bad for the situation that we were in, or the situation that you had put us through. At the same time, the prince of Nihon had married the barren maiden from China. He did not want to disgrace her or himself publicly, so he had hired your obasan to claim every child she delivers as his, with compensation to each of the families at least 400 yen. I was greedy enough to accept that, but your okaasan, on the other hand, was upset and disappointed with me. I do not blame her * cough * my son. I didn't realize the value of a daughter, until that night she was taken from me."
I looked at my father, and tears form in my eyes. "Do you remember the last time you had seen your sister?" I nod my head in recognition. "The Emperor had ordered that I left, for there is speculation around the palace of your sister's birthright. I was to go to Saitama *cough * or in other words, here." He looks to the leaking roof, and starts to weep. I stand there, not knowing what to do. "My son, please forgive this foolish dying man. Please, forgive me, so that I may go to Hades in peace, knowing that at least my only son has forgiven me." I look at my father, and with all my might I hug him. " Yes, Otoosan, I forgive you. I forgive you Otoosan." I step aside to find him smiling at me. "Thank you, son. I have been forgiven . . . before . . . I reached . . . Hades."
[End Flashback]
My father died that night, when the rain had ceased, and the moon had appeared out of the shadows of the sky. I stare back at Katsuni, and I know for sure that she is my sister. But, due to the events of long ago, it will be shocking to find that the one who tried to assassinate her was indeed her flesh and blood.
"But Himura, is this secret in relation to my situation?" I break my concentration to find Katsuni questioning me. I mask my true expression with that trademark smile. "That, Princess is a secret that I shall never tell. I am a man of my word, and so, it shall remain that way."
We continue to eat our dinner, and it was decided that Katsuni would sleep in our guestroom of the Dojo. Sano, I know, cannot resist the temptation, which is why I have requested that he sleep outside. I shall not have my best friend touch my guest. . . my sister . . .
~-~-~~~~~~~~~
Translations:
Obasan- Aunt
Okaasan- Mother
Otoosan- Father
Saitama- Prefecture of the Kanto Region, which also includes the Tokyo, Gunma, Chiba, Ibaraki, Kanegawa, and Tochigi prefectures
+A. N. +
So, how'd I do? If you've noticed, Megumi is only mentioned ONCE throughout the fic. Do you want her to make an appearance? If so, please review. I mean, I do feel for the little people ^_^x. Also, fair warning: this fic might turn R rated in the near future *gets out crystal ball* Hum ma na hum ma na! In the very near future: I'm going to leave you all! * those frm. Guam would know what im talking about ^_^x. * Alright everyone! L8er!
Since. Angelik Nikole