Author's Notes: This idea came to me one day while I was rereading the translations of the wonderful RK manga (on Maigo-chan's site ). I had gotten to the point where Kenshin tells the rest of the -gumi about Tomoe and his life as a hitokiri when it hit me…quiet hard, actually. What would happen if Kaoru was actually the one to meet him on that stormy day when the sky rained blood? The events of the whole manga would change, of course…but I was willing, as an avid fan fiction writer and reader, to take that chance. And so with a few messy outlines scrawled with a brown colored pencil, I came up with this beauty you see at the bottom: Rain of Blood, Scent of Jasmine. Now I am readily prepared for flames of all sorts (got my bullet-proof vest and safety helmet all set) because this little alternation of events will probably effect the ending of Wastuki Nobuhiro's beautiful story in more ways than one…or it may not. (It depends on my level of inspiration and caffeine ~_o) Just so you know, I'm planning on having lots of fun with this one and will be hoping for LOTS of lovely reviews…so please…let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. The rights of the wonderful creation all belong to Wastuki Nobuhiro, Sony Entertainment, Shueisha, Jump Comics, and other providential groups. Please do not sue me!
*Some dialog/actions/events are taken directly from the Manga found at Maigo-chan's site of Rurouni Kenshin Manga Translations.
*I was also very inspired by the fic the snow raven by Krista Perry (please don't sue me either!) because of her amazing take on the series of events from a first-person's point of view.
Enjoy your read!
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Rain of Blood, Scent of Jasmine
Chapter 1- I had found him
By dark aquamarine
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Hair, the color of blood
Eyes, burning with empty amber
Skin, pale and marred with a hidden scar
I had found him.
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A young man sat at a secluded table, away from all the bustling noise and chaos made by the soldiers who occupied the respectable dining house.
He remained quiet and focused on the cup of sake in his small yet slender hand as I entered and gazed about to find a suitable table near but away from his silent figure. Moving towards an empty seat beside his, I felt the gazes of the other men, drunken and impaired, pierce through my young body like customers examining a rack of meat hanging at a market stand. It was disgusting, but I kept my anger inward as well as I could and walked on, steadily and proudly.
He did not even look up when I sank down on the ragged mat in front of my chosen table and slammed the bokken I had been carrying on the edge of the wooden surface.
Sneaking a sideways glance, I observed his thin and slight stature that was molded into a standard seating position and the slightly bowed head on top of strong but slim shoulders. His hair was indeed the color of blood, yes…but it shown with a certain different light. An almost fiery and burning luminosity. I couldn't see his eyes, for they were hidden from the world by the fire-colored bangs, but I could distinctly make out the long, single slash of a scar on his pale left cheek.
It was him…the man I was looking for.
The man I was hunting for…to fulfill the revenge of my murdered father, an old soldier killed ruthlessly by the blood-stained hands of the Ishin Shishi assassin during a stormy night. A night not unlike this one.
The waiter of the eating house glided over hesitantly and asked for my order, which I merely stated as some warm sake. I needed the heat of the liquor to calm my nerves before I carried out my vengeance…and also to get rid of the confusion and despair that I was feeling as I looked over at the young man beside me.
He was supposed to be a demon…at least, that was what my juvenile fourteen year old mind had pictured…he was supposed to have the form of a monster's, with a huge body lined with protruding muscle and scars and wild, bulging eyes that displayed the very bloodlust he had when he drove the katana through my beloved father's body.
This was not the case, however, and I found myself staring desperately at the small man -no not even a man, a boy, maybe…around the same age as myself- trying to find the evidence of the shadow hitokiri in his slender body.
The sake was delivered, and I silently put the rim of the cup to my mouth in an act to stop staring, only to be choked by the scalding liquid that I had, due to my nervousness and confusion, hastily poured down my throat without preparation.
Two of the men who had been staring lustfully at me began to approach the table where I sat while snickering at my inexperience with hot sake. The tallest and largest of the men stood in front of me, blocking my view of the young hitokiri, and breathed huskily down on my face.
"What's a young, innocent little girl like you doing at a place like this, eh?"
I barely refrained myself from wrinkling my nose in disgust at the stench of sake and stale food that accompanied every word of the drunken soldier. Instead, I rose my face to meet his and stared unflinchingly back, hiding my fear and repulsion behind blue eyes that blazed with cold fire.
"I believe that is none of your concern, good sir."
I poured myself another cup of sake nonchalantly and smirked behind the rim as the liquid was poured, this time expertly, down my throat.
The man, who I noticed then to be quite beefy and large -ironically matching my imaginative description of the famed Battousai- fumed outwardly and grabbed my wrist with a swollen and calloused hand. His expression suddenly turned more lecherous as he pulled my body threateningly close to his face.
"Oh, I do enjoy a girl with a sharp tongue…why not come join me for a good drink? Then, after I can escort you to where ever you desire to go. I know the dangers that these streets contain and it won't do for a young woman like you to wander the night alone."
The tug on my wrist tightened to the point of bruising and my free hand (which was my right, thankfully) started to twitch in anticipation to test out the durability of my bokken against the thick skull of the man.
It was then that I noticed everyone in the dining house, including the red-haired hitokiri, was staring intently at my situation, curious as to what I would do to the idiotic brute. Another smirk formed on my lips and I twisted my trapped hand with startling speed and strength and pulled his huge face down upon the closed fist of my waiting right, earning a loud smack that echoed throughout the silent room.
The gasp that followed, made by all the customers and workers of the house (minus the Battousai, of course) was entirely worth the red and swollen flesh of my hand.
"You stupid little wench, you'll pay for this! Do you know who we are?" The friend of the stricken (and bleeding) man moved over towards the hunched figure with eyes that displayed embarrassment.
"We are patriots of the Aizu branch of the Ishin Shishi! We risk our lives day and night for lowlifes like you…the least you could do is show a little respect and follow orders when your told!"
Aizu branch? In the Ishin Shishi? What a lie. In this day and age, especially in Kyoto, who didn't know about the band of "heroic" men who claimed to be sacrificing people's lives in order to bring about a new era? A new non-violent era. And here this fool was trying to pull a fib by saying the Aisu was in the Ishin Shishi? Pathetic.
"Hmm…funny but I recall knowing that the Aizu is on the Bakufu side. Am I not mistaken?" A knowing smile stretched across my face as my hand gripped firmly at the bokken by my side, ready and willing to strike if necessary.
The ugly brute's face paled, then reddened to match his companion's and he reached to draw the scraggly-looking sword hanging limply by his side…only to be stopped suddenly by a white hand with long slender fingers and smooth, shortened nails.
"Indeed you are not mistaken, miss." The voice came out cool and silky but just as piercing and I couldn't help but turn to gaze at the man who was blocking the sword of the tall and largely built beast with tranquil ease.
Amber eyes fixed on the pair of men, the young hitokiri let his velvet voice flow through the dining house like swirling smoke, both warning and mocking.
"Let me give you some advice. Kyoto has already seen too much violence, and it is no place for false patriots. I highly suggest you run back to the country…if you value the existence of your lives."
Cold, vicious, yet calm. The words seeped into my skin like a rush of freezing air and I was as motionless as a statue, waiting for what was to come with fierce anticipation.
The two men, it seemed, were also frozen in place and had the looks of a wild animal caught in front of a pointed arrow, aiming for the kill. It was only when a few impatient patrons started to yell out blasphemes did they regain their posture and stomp out of the building with crimson faces and shaking hands.
The hitokiri, I noticed then, turned to the proprietor and whispered some words of apology while tossing a few coins down upon his table by the unfinished food. He then stealthily walked out of the dining house, seemingly oblivious to the awed and appreciated stares from around the room.
I stood there, feet still stuck to the ground like a planted tree and stared with wide eyes at the retreating back of my so-called prey. Absently behind me, the owner of the eatery mumbled small praises and appreciations towards the boy and I couldn't help but do anything other than agree.
"Wait."
Someone then whispered, shakily and timidly and it took a few slow blinks and mutters from the scattered audience around my table to make me realize that it was actually my voice which sounded out into the starless night, hoping to reach the demure figure of my victim for revenge.
I blinked again, then forced my feet to move my stiff and slightly intoxicated body out of the entrance and into the darkness, following the invisible footsteps of the legendary Hitokiri Battousai.
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The sky was heavy above me, with graying clouds blanketing the moon and its stars away from my wide-eyed vision. I could feel the cold and chilling breeze of a wind that spoke of storming weather against my skin and the layers of the gi and hakama that I chose to wear in order to provide more mobility for a fight. My thoughts wandered, closing in on the last words my father said to me the day he left to join the many soldiers who were willing to risk their lives and souls for the new era. The Meiji era.
I was crying, I remembered…the tears that fell from my eyes were ones of pain and desperation…
I didn't want him to leave…I didn't want to feel the empty and aching loneliness that was briefed to me the day my mother had died. I had a part of me die as well then, and I couldn't bear to stand the only remaining person dear to me to be taken away again, willingly or not.
I had begged and pleaded, with all the might I could muster up from my body that night and was rewarded with a disapproving stare, along with cold but saddened words.
"You must understand, my daughter, the reason for my departure."
I was sniffling then, desperately trying to get rid of the shameful tears on my face with the edges of my sleeping yukata.
"Our country is suffering from the violence on her streets…she is weakening, and we, as loyal subjects and offspring, must do all that we can to save her."
His gaze softened and he knelt down in front of my shivering form with a sorrowful smile. I let his warm and calloused hand caress the silky strands of my hair as I fell into his arms with another bout of tears.
"I will understand, father. Once you come back home, you'll explain it to me…and I'll try to understand!"
He comprehended the meaning of my words and chuckled, despite the gloominess of the rain as it flowed down upon us. I felt him tighten our hug for the last time and reluctantly released the strong body to look into his face…and smile.
"Do not forget the duty you were born into, my Kaoru-chan." I locked my large cerulean-colored eyes to his and nodded vigorously in reply. "You will be the next master of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu, that I am sure of. Do not forget the meaning behind the style that is bound in your blood. Protect the ones you love, my daughter…protect and save, not kill." His words were mingled with the pouring sound of the rain, yet I knew completely what was expected of me and my future.
As my father wandered off into the shadows that the night and rain created, I shouted out words over the thunderous sky.
"I won't forget, father! And I expect you to return and help me keep on remembering!"
Even though I could not see through the blackened night that surrounded my body and my beloved father's…I knew he was smiling warmly at me through a fall of tears.
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He never did return, though.
I shook my head slowly to get rid of the painful memory as I walked through the pitch-black night. There was no use in dwelling in the past…my father was gone…destroyed by his own people, and all that's left of our family name was me…
Kamiya Kaoru, a cold and drunken teenage girl with a head full of foolish dreams and an empty heart.
It was then that I realized just how hopelessly bemused I was…all my thoughts on revenge and vengeance for my loved one's killer were lying on the verge of forgiveness…and I didn't know what to do anymore. All I knew was that I had to find him…I had to meet the Hitokiri Battousai face to face and look into the depths of his amber gaze to see if he really did not feel any remorse for all he's done…and then…
Then what? Kill him? Destroy his happiness, if he even has any, as he did mine? Or…
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thank him for saving me…
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A/N: Phew, finally done…and it took me a while too. I never thought that making Kaoru an angsty, self-depressed young teenage girl could be so…well…strange. Sure there have been MANY fics of that kind in the past but…hey I'm still considered relatively a newbie to the world of fan fiction so…CUT ME SOME SLACK. Anyways…if you have any concerns on where this is going…or the similarities between it and other works…don't hesitate to tell me so in a review. This idea was straight from my own head and I don't recall ever seeing one like it before but still I have my doubts on the originality (ff.net is a fairly BIG world, you know.).
Oh yes, and I hope you liked it so far…please tell me if you want me to continue (I'll be accepting constructive critism, complements, you name it) or if any changes need to be made regarding…well…anything at all!
Thank you for reading and till next time (hopefully)…
d. a.