Delicate Balance
~ An examination of Himura Kenshin's past~
Arcueid
Chapter 1
Decisions, Decisions
~***~
It was clear that the man had no idea of what he was blabbering on about.
Kenshin had to refrain from sighing and shaking his head as he watched the pudgy shopkeeper wave his arms wildly.
The storekeeper was close to delirious of joy. Paintings depended on the customer's personal taste. If they liked it, they liked it and therefore bought it. If they thought it to be distasteful, it would take nothing short of a miracle to convince them otherwise.
Some would say that he was wasting his breath since personal taste couldn't be changed. However, if he could somehow convince the lovely lady before him that the painting was worth enough...
"...prized painting. The mysterious artist created only a few works, all of them have been recognized as emotional pieces worth a large sum of money to the right people. Art dealers have been searching for many years for the mysterious painter, known to the art world only as H.S.B. In fact, many of them are currently in Italy and France, being hailed as masterpieces because of the raw emotion involved."
He was laying the compliments on thick. However, in every tall truth, there was a grain of truth to it. If only he knew what was true and what were creative truths. He glanced at Kaoru who seemed to be contemplating if she could afford the, no, his painting or not.
"...and because of the summer festival, I can offer you a special price only- "
"Sumimasen, sessha will take it de gozaru yo."
Both heads swiveled in his direction, eyes growing wide in a comical fashion. Slipping easily into a characteristic rurouni gesture, he repeated his statement again.
"I'll take it de gozaru yo"
"Demo, Kenshin-"
"I'll take it."
A slightly more forceful tone, but still with a bright smile. Unless someone knew him well, they would not notice the absence of the traditional phrases he normally attached to his words or the faintly strained smile. Really, if I have to repeat myself another time..., am I not allowed to purchase anything other than groceries and clothing for Kaoru?
The shopkeeper stammered out a shocked "H-Hai" before turning quickly –most likely to cover his surprise- to wrap the painting. Kaoru was still staring at him. It was almost funny that such mundane actions as buying a painting could surprise her. He made sure he had a carefully blank face before returning her stare.
She dropped her eyes when he returned the gaze.
"Arigatou gozaimasu"
He carried the wrapped package protectively and together they walked through the busy streets in silence.
~***~
Kaoru glanced at the short man next to her. As surprising as it was that he would purchase something out of pure frivolity, it was even more curious that he had this certain glint in his eyes when he asked for the painting.
It was the look that challenged everyone who would disagree with his decision. It was the look of someone in authority- a commander or teacher.
In a way, he was an enigma. A hitokiri would never hold an authority position, no matter his brilliance- it was simply not done. His eyes told a different story, though. And the way he reacted to the painting...she would have missed it, if not for the slight threat in his eyes when he confronted the shopkeeper.
He was connected to the painting, in one-way or another. She was sure of it. And she was curious, curious to know more about this man that she cared about it. Not that she would ever admit it.
~***~
It wasn't until dinner that Kaoru confronted him about his purchase. Sano and Yahiko were both busy stuffing their faces, trying to out-eat each other when she made the inquiry.
"Kenshin...anou...that painting..."
A slight movement from the red head was all that betrayed that he was listening intently to her hesitant question.
"Why did you buy it- I mean, not that I...
She was beginning to babble. Even Sano was beginning to take notice.
"Oi! Jou-chan. What's this painting you're talking about?"
"Hurry up, busu and let us see it!" Yahiko interjected, his chopsticks paused in midair.
Kaoru moved to retrieve the painting, not before giving Yahiko a death glare first, causing him to stick his tongue at her in retaliation. Only her curiosity of Kenshin's connection with the painting stopped her from turning back and taking revenge on her irritating student.
Silence enveloped the room as the cloth was parted to reveal the art piece in question. The three of them were huddled around it, gathered in an unusual state of awe. The red head sat apart from them, merely watching their expressions with a blank look, inwardly amused. The paintings that I took up as a necessary means to feed myself- Never thought they would help bring some much needed silence in this household.
Truth be told, he appreciated the friendship he shared with these three- a foul-mouthed gangster, the brat of a samurai and a woman that defied the traditions of swordsmanship. But sometimes, he craved for the solitude and tranquility he could not have within the household. They were a lively bunch of misfits, always in the thick of some adventure or other. If I were told that I would have friends such as these, most likely I would have injured the idiot severely before walking away.
He blinked. Everyone was staring at him, now. Great. What did I miss now?
"Oro?"
"Ne, Kenshin, you seem to have some sort of attachment to this painting. Any particular reason why?"
"Do you know the painter guy or something?"
He turned towards Yahiko.
"I like it." He replied simply, "And yes I know the painter."
Three pairs of eyes widened and focused on him at the revelation.
"Who was it?" It would almost be funny if he weren't the one being asked. His friends, usually found bickering with each other were united against him in finding out another piece of his past.
"Anou..."
He was somewhat hesitant about telling them. It was a piece of his past, an intricate part entwined with his wandering years as he sought the truth about piece. He had been careful to keep it hidden from everyone even from the beginning. The paintings were - are- the extensions of his soul, a way of expressing himself, of finding himself within. No one knew he painted. Not even the man he sold his paintings to.
Should he tell them?
Could he trust them with his soul?
~***~
Author's Notes:
Sorry for the delay. Yes, yes, the story's dragging somewhat, but I find it better to delve into the character's minds as they puzzle out the connection between Kenshin and his painting...not that they know that yet. Anyways, hope you all like it.
Please review!
Response to Reviewers:
WhiteRabbit5- Really, that's the whole point of prologues. To introduce but reveal nothing at the same time. Thanks for reviewing! I was very sure that this piece of writing would collapse since the idea was somewhat new and I don't see many fics covering Kenshin's past without revealing some OC trying to kill him. Not that I don't like all of them...
Southpaw- Daughter? I wasn't aware he had one. Kaoru at this point isn't his wife either, merely a friend and confidante, well, as much as Kenshin would ever tell about his past. The person in the painting...is based on him and...it's hard to describe without showing. Well, you'll find out. Thanks so much for your review. I'll admit that I was somewhat hesitant on the way I wrote it, but your encouragement helped a lot.
~ An examination of Himura Kenshin's past~
Arcueid
Chapter 1
Decisions, Decisions
~***~
It was clear that the man had no idea of what he was blabbering on about.
Kenshin had to refrain from sighing and shaking his head as he watched the pudgy shopkeeper wave his arms wildly.
The storekeeper was close to delirious of joy. Paintings depended on the customer's personal taste. If they liked it, they liked it and therefore bought it. If they thought it to be distasteful, it would take nothing short of a miracle to convince them otherwise.
Some would say that he was wasting his breath since personal taste couldn't be changed. However, if he could somehow convince the lovely lady before him that the painting was worth enough...
"...prized painting. The mysterious artist created only a few works, all of them have been recognized as emotional pieces worth a large sum of money to the right people. Art dealers have been searching for many years for the mysterious painter, known to the art world only as H.S.B. In fact, many of them are currently in Italy and France, being hailed as masterpieces because of the raw emotion involved."
He was laying the compliments on thick. However, in every tall truth, there was a grain of truth to it. If only he knew what was true and what were creative truths. He glanced at Kaoru who seemed to be contemplating if she could afford the, no, his painting or not.
"...and because of the summer festival, I can offer you a special price only- "
"Sumimasen, sessha will take it de gozaru yo."
Both heads swiveled in his direction, eyes growing wide in a comical fashion. Slipping easily into a characteristic rurouni gesture, he repeated his statement again.
"I'll take it de gozaru yo"
"Demo, Kenshin-"
"I'll take it."
A slightly more forceful tone, but still with a bright smile. Unless someone knew him well, they would not notice the absence of the traditional phrases he normally attached to his words or the faintly strained smile. Really, if I have to repeat myself another time..., am I not allowed to purchase anything other than groceries and clothing for Kaoru?
The shopkeeper stammered out a shocked "H-Hai" before turning quickly –most likely to cover his surprise- to wrap the painting. Kaoru was still staring at him. It was almost funny that such mundane actions as buying a painting could surprise her. He made sure he had a carefully blank face before returning her stare.
She dropped her eyes when he returned the gaze.
"Arigatou gozaimasu"
He carried the wrapped package protectively and together they walked through the busy streets in silence.
~***~
Kaoru glanced at the short man next to her. As surprising as it was that he would purchase something out of pure frivolity, it was even more curious that he had this certain glint in his eyes when he asked for the painting.
It was the look that challenged everyone who would disagree with his decision. It was the look of someone in authority- a commander or teacher.
In a way, he was an enigma. A hitokiri would never hold an authority position, no matter his brilliance- it was simply not done. His eyes told a different story, though. And the way he reacted to the painting...she would have missed it, if not for the slight threat in his eyes when he confronted the shopkeeper.
He was connected to the painting, in one-way or another. She was sure of it. And she was curious, curious to know more about this man that she cared about it. Not that she would ever admit it.
~***~
It wasn't until dinner that Kaoru confronted him about his purchase. Sano and Yahiko were both busy stuffing their faces, trying to out-eat each other when she made the inquiry.
"Kenshin...anou...that painting..."
A slight movement from the red head was all that betrayed that he was listening intently to her hesitant question.
"Why did you buy it- I mean, not that I...
She was beginning to babble. Even Sano was beginning to take notice.
"Oi! Jou-chan. What's this painting you're talking about?"
"Hurry up, busu and let us see it!" Yahiko interjected, his chopsticks paused in midair.
Kaoru moved to retrieve the painting, not before giving Yahiko a death glare first, causing him to stick his tongue at her in retaliation. Only her curiosity of Kenshin's connection with the painting stopped her from turning back and taking revenge on her irritating student.
Silence enveloped the room as the cloth was parted to reveal the art piece in question. The three of them were huddled around it, gathered in an unusual state of awe. The red head sat apart from them, merely watching their expressions with a blank look, inwardly amused. The paintings that I took up as a necessary means to feed myself- Never thought they would help bring some much needed silence in this household.
Truth be told, he appreciated the friendship he shared with these three- a foul-mouthed gangster, the brat of a samurai and a woman that defied the traditions of swordsmanship. But sometimes, he craved for the solitude and tranquility he could not have within the household. They were a lively bunch of misfits, always in the thick of some adventure or other. If I were told that I would have friends such as these, most likely I would have injured the idiot severely before walking away.
He blinked. Everyone was staring at him, now. Great. What did I miss now?
"Oro?"
"Ne, Kenshin, you seem to have some sort of attachment to this painting. Any particular reason why?"
"Do you know the painter guy or something?"
He turned towards Yahiko.
"I like it." He replied simply, "And yes I know the painter."
Three pairs of eyes widened and focused on him at the revelation.
"Who was it?" It would almost be funny if he weren't the one being asked. His friends, usually found bickering with each other were united against him in finding out another piece of his past.
"Anou..."
He was somewhat hesitant about telling them. It was a piece of his past, an intricate part entwined with his wandering years as he sought the truth about piece. He had been careful to keep it hidden from everyone even from the beginning. The paintings were - are- the extensions of his soul, a way of expressing himself, of finding himself within. No one knew he painted. Not even the man he sold his paintings to.
Should he tell them?
Could he trust them with his soul?
~***~
Author's Notes:
Sorry for the delay. Yes, yes, the story's dragging somewhat, but I find it better to delve into the character's minds as they puzzle out the connection between Kenshin and his painting...not that they know that yet. Anyways, hope you all like it.
Please review!
Response to Reviewers:
WhiteRabbit5- Really, that's the whole point of prologues. To introduce but reveal nothing at the same time. Thanks for reviewing! I was very sure that this piece of writing would collapse since the idea was somewhat new and I don't see many fics covering Kenshin's past without revealing some OC trying to kill him. Not that I don't like all of them...
Southpaw- Daughter? I wasn't aware he had one. Kaoru at this point isn't his wife either, merely a friend and confidante, well, as much as Kenshin would ever tell about his past. The person in the painting...is based on him and...it's hard to describe without showing. Well, you'll find out. Thanks so much for your review. I'll admit that I was somewhat hesitant on the way I wrote it, but your encouragement helped a lot.