Disclaimer: I don't own RK, or Yumi, or Shishio (thank goodness), or any of the characters. I don't even own the title!
AN: I never thought I would write Rurouni Kenshin fanfic that doesn't center on Soujiro! It's a character introspective on Yumi during the Kenshin/Shishio fight. The title is Beethoven's Sonata in C minor (Pathétique) second movement, Adagio Cantabile. (It's the piano music that's playing when Yumi gets stabbed by Shishio. (Yup, I'm that obsessed.)) I'm learning it now! (My piano teacher was playing it so I would know what it sounds like, and I was thinking: I heard that before on RuroKen! So,ehehehe… *sweatdrop*)
Sonata Pathétique: Adagio Cantabile
By Meii-chan
The battleground was nearly demolished, the floor tiles cracked and forced from their original position, utterly destroyed. The stone walls too, had crumbled, as did the few men that had chosen to fight. Only the smokestacks were untouched, flames blazing furiously.
I clutch my silver watch helplessly; there was nothing I could do. I could only watch as the one person who truly loved me was struck down by an enemy's blade.
But as I heard his screams of agony, something within me snapped. I forgot that I was a mere woman; no fighter, no strategist, simply a lover. My watch fell from my hand and clattered to the ground. The glass shattered across the floor as the time stopped. I raced as fast as I could to protect him…
"Wait, Yumi!" No, nothing can stop me now. Houji-san, you are the most loyal member of the Juppongatana to Shishio-sama, but how can you stand there watching him die? That's why this needs to end.
"Stop!" My lips uttered the words in my heart. "He can't anymore! Because of his burns, he can't handle the strain of fighting more than fifteen minutes! He's already surpassed his limits! It's enough, alright? Please don't hurt Shishio-sama any further…" I no longer cared if I sounded pathetic and weak towards the enemy.
To my relief, he lowered his sword.
"You're too soft."
My breath was cut short as the cold blade impaled me, seeking the enemy. It drew back, causing blood to spew out of my body. I fell back, azure beads scattering around me, my claret hair covering my eyes. How could Shishio-sama stab me? Then I understood.
"Shishio Makoto…you would go so far…you would betray the woman who loves you?"
"Betray? You don't know us at all. She understands me better than anyone. And I understand her better than anyone else could." His hand cupped my jaw as I attempted to speak. The pain in my heart disappeared as I uttered my realization.
"I'm…so…happy…"
I was filled with ecstasy. Not only had I protected him, but I helped Shishio-sama in a fight! Everyone else must think I enjoy being run through with a knife, but they never could understand.
"For the first time…I was useful in a fight. I helped Shishio-sama in the most important fight of his life…"
Images of Soujiro and Kamatari came to my mind. I was always loved more, but, "I was always jealous of Sou and Kamatari." They could fight and protect Shishio-sama more than I could.
"For Shishio-sama, fighting is everything…and all I could ever do was to take care of his body. It was always at the back of my mind." I turned to Shishio-sama and take his hand in mine.
"But this time, it was different." I felt myself slowly exiting this world.
"Win! Please win, Shishio-sama!" I was saying strange things now. We both knew he could no longer win. I was spared seeing his death.
"I will be waiting…" My hand was slipping; my eyes glazed over. "…a few steps ahead…" I whispered my final words.
"On the road to hell…"
~End~
So…that sounded really morbid! Please review! (Yes, I had to put Soujiro in somewhere.)