Disclaimer: Nobuhiro Watsuki is the owner of Rurouni Kenshin and all of its characters.
A/N: Salutations, again! ^_^ I'm back with an entire new story for your enjoyment. Feel free to drop a nice (or other) note with a review! -_^
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As One
Chapter one: The Sight
White toe tips of flesh caressed the floor as its glossy surface reflected the curving contours of her body. Her arms swam through the surrounding air as she moved in continuous patterns, letting her feet slide across the smooth floor. And from behind, she felt the masculine arms of another dancer as she felt herself be whirled into the air, for a second into nothingness, and then back into his tight grasp.
"Dance with me."
She could not see his face, but she smiled in the warm touch of his hold.
"I would...I would... Oh, moments like these just-"
"Kaoru-chan, you're up in fifteen minutes!"
Kaoru let her head drop to the table with a big THUNK as reality slapped her across the face.
"-just never seem to happen..."
Kaoru tightened the obi around her tiny waist and pulled the ribbon together in a taut bow. She ran her hands over the silk material of her kimono, stroking the long sleeves dangling from her slim arms in symbolism of her being single. With a few pokes at her hair, she slipped a round comb at the foot of her bun and caressed each ornament with her fingertips. Looking into the mirror, her pale face looked ghostly, and though others told her of her splendid beauty she only found herself naught but pretty to the point of satisfactory. She never really did think highly of herself.
"Coming!"
She picked up her props as she tiptoed up the steps and waited for her entrance.
Her heart no longer pounded at the upcoming beats in the music. Like a puppet on a string, her hand would outstretch from behind the set of shoji doors as her feet elegantly stepped into motion. With a clever twist of her wrist, she withdrew a paper fan from her obi, letting her fingers snap it open like a bird's wing suddenly opening to take flight. She let the rough material of the paper pass over her face like a shadow, and in a single sweeping motion she revealed herself to the on-lookers, then proceeded with the steps.
Kamiya Kaoru was renown throughout Japan in her abilities of traditional Japanese dance. Her most famous role featured the brilliance of a crimson kimono, with the wings and features of golden sparrows outstretched from hip to toe, and sakura blossoms shedding tears at her shoulders in depiction of spring. At every movement the lights flickered across the silk embroidery, and the magnificence in her movements and dress illuminated the entire stage, though small it may be, at every performance. For this she was given a name of honor;
'The Shimmering Sparrow.'
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"Oi."
A young man spun his head around after moments of dazed silence. Over his shoulder, he carried a large pack seemingly stuffed with many contents. His baggy khakis were torn at some areas, and his long hair extended down to the middle of his back and was carelessly tied back behind his neck. The wind had tousled his bangs about, shading his eyes as he turned to face the other.
"You from town?"
The other was no older than the first. At height he was considerably taller, with hair of raw umber and his arms akimbo. A pointed chin topped of the manly features of his face, and the red cloth tied behind his brow. The stranger smiled.
"No. Just a plain foreign one."
The other smirked.
"What'd they call you?"
"Kenshin."
The man stuck out a hand and jabbed his other thumb out behind him.
"The gang 'round here call me Sano. If you've got the time, help yourself to some entertainment, will you?"
Kenshin shook his hand and stuck his other hand in his pocket.
"What's the price?"
"Nothin'. Just grab a place on the tatami mat and enjoy the show."
Kenshin let his eyes wander around the entrance of the tiny theatre, then turned back to Sano.
"Thanks, I appreciate it."
He walked through the entry way as Sano followed him. They removed their shoes and turned the corner into the dark, crowded room.
The first sight captivated him. It started with a slight glimmer of gold, then into an entire euphoria of slender movements, with milky white arms moving to and fro to the little twanging sounds of the shamisen instrument. Beneath the silky material of gold-flickering crimson, he could sense the dancer's legs slide cunningly in small steps as she made her way around the stage. The ghostly face of white with the faint touches of make up was pure Da Vinci.
"Pretty one, ain't she? Jou-chan's been working pretty hard on this role."
Kenshin looked over to his new companion.
"Jou-chan?"
Sano gave him a sideways look.
"You mean you haven't heard of Kaoru?"
Oblivious to Sano's words, he turned back to the captivating stage, and the lovely figure dancing upon it.
"She's been getting the attention nowadays. Not to mention she's pretty young."
Kenshin felt a sharp nudge and a chuckle from Sano.
"She's single too, just to let you know."
He blushed bright red and decided to enjoy the show for a few more moments. He didn't realize Sano giving him glances, and smirks, as he was watched with his jaw slightly hanging.
After the show, Kenshin stood out of the way for the remaining audience to exit the theatre. Sano had gone backstage to help out his comrades in the cleaning of the area. Kenshin walked over to the edge of the stage, then, and placed his hand along the wood surface. He could feel it gnarled and cracked in some places, making him wonder how it was that the maiden was able to move as if skating on ice. Slowly, he hoisted himself up and stood where the performers had. And through past memory, his arms slowly moved upwards, then down toward the floor in a circular motion as his feet moved in unison. He reached to his left hip, and then unsheathed an imaginary sword to face his antagonist in the familiar rhythm of long before.
"Oi, Kenshin."
He abruptly stopped in his movements and awkwardly turned to the gate. Sano stood leaning on the doorway with folded arms.
"Hey, are you a dancer of some sort?"
Kenshin smiled and shrugged.
"Used to be. Been a while."
He leapt off the stage and pattered over to Sano, bending over to pick up his things.
"Thanks for the show. Give my highest comments to the performers."
He was suddenly stopped as he was about to leave. Sano placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You busy now?"
"No."
Sano smirked boyishly.
"We're camping out here tonight. Thought you might wanna stay at least for dinner."
Kenshin hesitated for a moment before turning back to Sano.
"I'd appreciate some leftovers if you've got any."
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Kaoru let the water drizzle down her face as she scrubbed at her face violently to remove the remaining makeup. She felt a light tug on her sleeve as she looked over.
"Here's a towel, Kaoru-chan."
She smiled as she accepted it gratefully.
"Thanks Misao-chan. Is dinner ready?"
Misao grinned and motioned to the next room.
"Our take-out's here. Hurry up before Sano takes half of your share."
Kaoru laughed as she tossed the towel over to her belongings and followed Misao to the next room.
Around the table were seated Tae, Tsubame, Megumi, Yahiko, and Aoshi. They all seemed either to be talking gaily about the show, or sipping tea in placid silence. Tae was handing out everyone's bentos (Japanese lunch boxes).
"Ah, Misao-chan, could you get the drinks out? They're in the mini-fridge over there."
Kaoru seated herself to a side of the table and discussed matters quietly with Aoshi as dinner was getting set. Right then, the door could be heard sliding open, then shut, and Sano flipped open the curtain in the doorway.
"Yo, everyone I've got someone for you to meet."
Kaoru watched a young man, no older than Sano, step through the curtain rather shyly as he stepped inside with a small smile on his face. Tae busily welcomed him in and invited him to sit down as he apologized for intruding on their dinner. Before she could think, he was already seated to a spot right next to her. As their eyes met, she couldn't contain her cheeks from growing red as he smiled genuinely. His red bangs rested across his forehead and touched his lashes.
"I'm sorry for intruding on your dinner."
She smiled and shook her head.
"It's no problem. It's more fun with more people."
For the remainder of dinner, they all laughed out loud at each other's stories as they ate. Kaoru continued to snatch glances at the strange man next to her, bending over to each time to bring the food fastened between his chopsticks to his mouth.
"Polite, rather quiet, and mysterious...I wonder..."
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Late that evening, Kaoru took herself out of her futon and stepped over the sleeping figures of Tsubame, Misao, and Tae. She slowly creaked open the door, and slipped through the small opening into the night air.
To her right, she could hear the Sano's snores and Aoshi's annoyed muttering from where the men were sleeping. She had slight pity for their guest, who had been decided to sleep with Sano's notorious 'sleep singing'. Though she was barefoot, she trotted over the gravel street and set her feet on the damp sand of the beach before them. After all, this was Shikoku, one of the small islands in Japan. With the moon over the watery horizon, she had been looking forward to this night-time scenery.
Along the beach, there was a large rock, almost a boulder, nestled in the sand. She made her way over beside it and sat down, leaning against its cold surface and listening to the ocean waves.
"It's quiet here, isn't it?"
Startled, she looked up into the violet eyes hovering above her.
"Himura-san?"
Kenshin was leaning over the rock, resting his chin on the palm of his hand as he looked down at her. He turned his head to look out to the sea.
"It's my first time here. I'm sure you're familiar with this place more than I."
She fumbled for words as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I-I've only been here once, when we entertained people at this theatre last year."
"I see."
The silence felt oddly enough awkward, and she hastily stood and paced around.
"A-Are you on a trip?"
He looked at her with curiosity written in his eyes.
"No. I'm just wandering."
She smiled at the comment.
"You are like us, then."
He slightly cocked his head without breaking his gaze.
"Really, now?"
She nodded. He looked back to the ocean again and thought.
"Where is your next destination, Kaoru-dono?"
She looked up from staring at her feet. She was surprised at his old, strange dialect.
"We're planning to make our way up. Probably stop by Kyuushyuu, then towards Hokkaido before returning to Tokyo."
He seemed pretty impressed at their popularity in performing. On the other hand, he wasn't surprised. It was her turn to speak.
"What about you?"
He looked at her questioningly.
"Where are you planning to go next?"
He sighed and stood up straight. He stretched as he looked out to the moon.
"I'm not sure."
He looked to Kaoru and smiled.
"Wherever the heart whispers to go."
Kenshin didn't pause to explain Kaoru's slightly baffled expression. He simply smiled yet again as he turned to head back to their resting spot.
"Oyasumi nasai, Kaoru-dono." (Oyasumi nasai=good night)
She turned to look on after him as he held his gaze for a moment longer before beginning to walk.
"Oyasumi nasai, Himura-san."
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The following morning came bright and early. Everyone helped load their bags and materials into their van as each one of them took turns saying their goodbyes to Kenshin. Sano heartily patted him on the back, grinning.
"You sure you don't wanna join us Kenshin? We always have an extra space in the van, you know."
Kaoru perked up at Sano's comment and stopped her actions to hear Kenshin's reply. She could sense him smiling and shaking his head, making her slightly disappointed.
"Great thanks, Sano. But it looks like wandering's going to drag me around for a bit before I can stick to anything."
He gave Kaoru a secret wink as he spoke.
"Gotta follow your senses."
Sano laughed at smacked his hand with his before turning back to the van to help load the baggage. Kaoru stood staring at Kenshin for one last moment as he looked back, with an unreadable smile on his face, supposedly showing slight sadness or relief. She couldn't tell, even as she bowed to him in final greeting and stepped onto the van. The engine roared, and Sano stuck his hand out in a wave from the window as he pushed down on the axle and drove away.
Kenshin looked on as the van ran off into the distance, watching Kaoru as she rolled down her window and stuck her head out entirely, then openly waved with an angelic smile forcefully pasted on her face.
"Take care!"
Her voice rang out into the depths of his mind as he shyly waved back, and hesitantly turned to journey off in the opposite direction.
And yet, his feet abruptly stopped to a halt, feeling himself weighed down to the ground. He looked down at his feet, then up again. He took a moment to turn back in the direction his friends had gone, and saw that they had already turned the corner.
"Wherever the heart whispers to go, huh, Kenshin?"
He smirked to himself and positioned his bag on his shoulder. And with light steps he headed in the direction of the van, without anyone of the Sparrow Theatre group knowing.
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TO BE CONTINUED...
Did you like it? Hope you could give me your opinions! Thank you so much for reading! ^__^
A/N: Salutations, again! ^_^ I'm back with an entire new story for your enjoyment. Feel free to drop a nice (or other) note with a review! -_^
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As One
Chapter one: The Sight
White toe tips of flesh caressed the floor as its glossy surface reflected the curving contours of her body. Her arms swam through the surrounding air as she moved in continuous patterns, letting her feet slide across the smooth floor. And from behind, she felt the masculine arms of another dancer as she felt herself be whirled into the air, for a second into nothingness, and then back into his tight grasp.
"Dance with me."
She could not see his face, but she smiled in the warm touch of his hold.
"I would...I would... Oh, moments like these just-"
"Kaoru-chan, you're up in fifteen minutes!"
Kaoru let her head drop to the table with a big THUNK as reality slapped her across the face.
"-just never seem to happen..."
Kaoru tightened the obi around her tiny waist and pulled the ribbon together in a taut bow. She ran her hands over the silk material of her kimono, stroking the long sleeves dangling from her slim arms in symbolism of her being single. With a few pokes at her hair, she slipped a round comb at the foot of her bun and caressed each ornament with her fingertips. Looking into the mirror, her pale face looked ghostly, and though others told her of her splendid beauty she only found herself naught but pretty to the point of satisfactory. She never really did think highly of herself.
"Coming!"
She picked up her props as she tiptoed up the steps and waited for her entrance.
Her heart no longer pounded at the upcoming beats in the music. Like a puppet on a string, her hand would outstretch from behind the set of shoji doors as her feet elegantly stepped into motion. With a clever twist of her wrist, she withdrew a paper fan from her obi, letting her fingers snap it open like a bird's wing suddenly opening to take flight. She let the rough material of the paper pass over her face like a shadow, and in a single sweeping motion she revealed herself to the on-lookers, then proceeded with the steps.
Kamiya Kaoru was renown throughout Japan in her abilities of traditional Japanese dance. Her most famous role featured the brilliance of a crimson kimono, with the wings and features of golden sparrows outstretched from hip to toe, and sakura blossoms shedding tears at her shoulders in depiction of spring. At every movement the lights flickered across the silk embroidery, and the magnificence in her movements and dress illuminated the entire stage, though small it may be, at every performance. For this she was given a name of honor;
'The Shimmering Sparrow.'
*-.,.-*-.,.-*-.,.-*-.,.-*-.,.-*
"Oi."
A young man spun his head around after moments of dazed silence. Over his shoulder, he carried a large pack seemingly stuffed with many contents. His baggy khakis were torn at some areas, and his long hair extended down to the middle of his back and was carelessly tied back behind his neck. The wind had tousled his bangs about, shading his eyes as he turned to face the other.
"You from town?"
The other was no older than the first. At height he was considerably taller, with hair of raw umber and his arms akimbo. A pointed chin topped of the manly features of his face, and the red cloth tied behind his brow. The stranger smiled.
"No. Just a plain foreign one."
The other smirked.
"What'd they call you?"
"Kenshin."
The man stuck out a hand and jabbed his other thumb out behind him.
"The gang 'round here call me Sano. If you've got the time, help yourself to some entertainment, will you?"
Kenshin shook his hand and stuck his other hand in his pocket.
"What's the price?"
"Nothin'. Just grab a place on the tatami mat and enjoy the show."
Kenshin let his eyes wander around the entrance of the tiny theatre, then turned back to Sano.
"Thanks, I appreciate it."
He walked through the entry way as Sano followed him. They removed their shoes and turned the corner into the dark, crowded room.
The first sight captivated him. It started with a slight glimmer of gold, then into an entire euphoria of slender movements, with milky white arms moving to and fro to the little twanging sounds of the shamisen instrument. Beneath the silky material of gold-flickering crimson, he could sense the dancer's legs slide cunningly in small steps as she made her way around the stage. The ghostly face of white with the faint touches of make up was pure Da Vinci.
"Pretty one, ain't she? Jou-chan's been working pretty hard on this role."
Kenshin looked over to his new companion.
"Jou-chan?"
Sano gave him a sideways look.
"You mean you haven't heard of Kaoru?"
Oblivious to Sano's words, he turned back to the captivating stage, and the lovely figure dancing upon it.
"She's been getting the attention nowadays. Not to mention she's pretty young."
Kenshin felt a sharp nudge and a chuckle from Sano.
"She's single too, just to let you know."
He blushed bright red and decided to enjoy the show for a few more moments. He didn't realize Sano giving him glances, and smirks, as he was watched with his jaw slightly hanging.
After the show, Kenshin stood out of the way for the remaining audience to exit the theatre. Sano had gone backstage to help out his comrades in the cleaning of the area. Kenshin walked over to the edge of the stage, then, and placed his hand along the wood surface. He could feel it gnarled and cracked in some places, making him wonder how it was that the maiden was able to move as if skating on ice. Slowly, he hoisted himself up and stood where the performers had. And through past memory, his arms slowly moved upwards, then down toward the floor in a circular motion as his feet moved in unison. He reached to his left hip, and then unsheathed an imaginary sword to face his antagonist in the familiar rhythm of long before.
"Oi, Kenshin."
He abruptly stopped in his movements and awkwardly turned to the gate. Sano stood leaning on the doorway with folded arms.
"Hey, are you a dancer of some sort?"
Kenshin smiled and shrugged.
"Used to be. Been a while."
He leapt off the stage and pattered over to Sano, bending over to pick up his things.
"Thanks for the show. Give my highest comments to the performers."
He was suddenly stopped as he was about to leave. Sano placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You busy now?"
"No."
Sano smirked boyishly.
"We're camping out here tonight. Thought you might wanna stay at least for dinner."
Kenshin hesitated for a moment before turning back to Sano.
"I'd appreciate some leftovers if you've got any."
*-.,.-*-.,.-*-.,.-*-.,.-*-.,.-*
Kaoru let the water drizzle down her face as she scrubbed at her face violently to remove the remaining makeup. She felt a light tug on her sleeve as she looked over.
"Here's a towel, Kaoru-chan."
She smiled as she accepted it gratefully.
"Thanks Misao-chan. Is dinner ready?"
Misao grinned and motioned to the next room.
"Our take-out's here. Hurry up before Sano takes half of your share."
Kaoru laughed as she tossed the towel over to her belongings and followed Misao to the next room.
Around the table were seated Tae, Tsubame, Megumi, Yahiko, and Aoshi. They all seemed either to be talking gaily about the show, or sipping tea in placid silence. Tae was handing out everyone's bentos (Japanese lunch boxes).
"Ah, Misao-chan, could you get the drinks out? They're in the mini-fridge over there."
Kaoru seated herself to a side of the table and discussed matters quietly with Aoshi as dinner was getting set. Right then, the door could be heard sliding open, then shut, and Sano flipped open the curtain in the doorway.
"Yo, everyone I've got someone for you to meet."
Kaoru watched a young man, no older than Sano, step through the curtain rather shyly as he stepped inside with a small smile on his face. Tae busily welcomed him in and invited him to sit down as he apologized for intruding on their dinner. Before she could think, he was already seated to a spot right next to her. As their eyes met, she couldn't contain her cheeks from growing red as he smiled genuinely. His red bangs rested across his forehead and touched his lashes.
"I'm sorry for intruding on your dinner."
She smiled and shook her head.
"It's no problem. It's more fun with more people."
For the remainder of dinner, they all laughed out loud at each other's stories as they ate. Kaoru continued to snatch glances at the strange man next to her, bending over to each time to bring the food fastened between his chopsticks to his mouth.
"Polite, rather quiet, and mysterious...I wonder..."
*-.,.-*-.,.-*-.,.-*-.,.-*-.,.*
Late that evening, Kaoru took herself out of her futon and stepped over the sleeping figures of Tsubame, Misao, and Tae. She slowly creaked open the door, and slipped through the small opening into the night air.
To her right, she could hear the Sano's snores and Aoshi's annoyed muttering from where the men were sleeping. She had slight pity for their guest, who had been decided to sleep with Sano's notorious 'sleep singing'. Though she was barefoot, she trotted over the gravel street and set her feet on the damp sand of the beach before them. After all, this was Shikoku, one of the small islands in Japan. With the moon over the watery horizon, she had been looking forward to this night-time scenery.
Along the beach, there was a large rock, almost a boulder, nestled in the sand. She made her way over beside it and sat down, leaning against its cold surface and listening to the ocean waves.
"It's quiet here, isn't it?"
Startled, she looked up into the violet eyes hovering above her.
"Himura-san?"
Kenshin was leaning over the rock, resting his chin on the palm of his hand as he looked down at her. He turned his head to look out to the sea.
"It's my first time here. I'm sure you're familiar with this place more than I."
She fumbled for words as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I-I've only been here once, when we entertained people at this theatre last year."
"I see."
The silence felt oddly enough awkward, and she hastily stood and paced around.
"A-Are you on a trip?"
He looked at her with curiosity written in his eyes.
"No. I'm just wandering."
She smiled at the comment.
"You are like us, then."
He slightly cocked his head without breaking his gaze.
"Really, now?"
She nodded. He looked back to the ocean again and thought.
"Where is your next destination, Kaoru-dono?"
She looked up from staring at her feet. She was surprised at his old, strange dialect.
"We're planning to make our way up. Probably stop by Kyuushyuu, then towards Hokkaido before returning to Tokyo."
He seemed pretty impressed at their popularity in performing. On the other hand, he wasn't surprised. It was her turn to speak.
"What about you?"
He looked at her questioningly.
"Where are you planning to go next?"
He sighed and stood up straight. He stretched as he looked out to the moon.
"I'm not sure."
He looked to Kaoru and smiled.
"Wherever the heart whispers to go."
Kenshin didn't pause to explain Kaoru's slightly baffled expression. He simply smiled yet again as he turned to head back to their resting spot.
"Oyasumi nasai, Kaoru-dono." (Oyasumi nasai=good night)
She turned to look on after him as he held his gaze for a moment longer before beginning to walk.
"Oyasumi nasai, Himura-san."
*-.,.-*-.,.-*-.,.-*-.,.-*-.,.-*
The following morning came bright and early. Everyone helped load their bags and materials into their van as each one of them took turns saying their goodbyes to Kenshin. Sano heartily patted him on the back, grinning.
"You sure you don't wanna join us Kenshin? We always have an extra space in the van, you know."
Kaoru perked up at Sano's comment and stopped her actions to hear Kenshin's reply. She could sense him smiling and shaking his head, making her slightly disappointed.
"Great thanks, Sano. But it looks like wandering's going to drag me around for a bit before I can stick to anything."
He gave Kaoru a secret wink as he spoke.
"Gotta follow your senses."
Sano laughed at smacked his hand with his before turning back to the van to help load the baggage. Kaoru stood staring at Kenshin for one last moment as he looked back, with an unreadable smile on his face, supposedly showing slight sadness or relief. She couldn't tell, even as she bowed to him in final greeting and stepped onto the van. The engine roared, and Sano stuck his hand out in a wave from the window as he pushed down on the axle and drove away.
Kenshin looked on as the van ran off into the distance, watching Kaoru as she rolled down her window and stuck her head out entirely, then openly waved with an angelic smile forcefully pasted on her face.
"Take care!"
Her voice rang out into the depths of his mind as he shyly waved back, and hesitantly turned to journey off in the opposite direction.
And yet, his feet abruptly stopped to a halt, feeling himself weighed down to the ground. He looked down at his feet, then up again. He took a moment to turn back in the direction his friends had gone, and saw that they had already turned the corner.
"Wherever the heart whispers to go, huh, Kenshin?"
He smirked to himself and positioned his bag on his shoulder. And with light steps he headed in the direction of the van, without anyone of the Sparrow Theatre group knowing.
*-.,.-*-.,.-*-.,.-*-.,.-*-.,.-*-.,.-*-.,.-*
TO BE CONTINUED...
Did you like it? Hope you could give me your opinions! Thank you so much for reading! ^__^