Disclaimer: None of the characters save for... Shinji belongs to me. -hugs Shinji to me- So there.
A New Beginning
This is the silence I crave. As I lay my aching body down to slumber, I crave the rest that I know would never be truly mine.
'Shinji,' the name that has been on my mind in my travels, my missions, my every waking hour. 'How are you?'
Lying in bed, facing the blinding darkness, I wondered about my next assignment, about the next group of Ageless that I have to convince. It would not be easy, for I was not a pure Ageless. No, unlike the other Ageless who has witnessed the cracking of the world to the leaving of the Gods, I was the only one who was -made- an Ageless, and for that, I paid the price.
~Flashback~
"Madame, would you join me for a cup of wine?"
Shocked that anyone would approach me, let alone request my company to drink, I merely nodded. It must have been the loneliness answering, for had I a clearer mind...
"How's this drink? Is wine fine by you?"
Only too eager for a simple conversation especially one by such a distinguished and dashing gentleman as the count. To him, it maybe a mere sip of courtesy, but to me, it was an escape from reality, a long step away from the cruel taunts and cold jeering which I was used to. Maybe there was hope for me afterall?
"I don't drink well, but I guess a sip won't hurt."
But a sip turned into a gulp which morphed into a mouthful. Soon, I was struggling to drink cups of wine and keeping them inside, all the while, sounds of 'drink up', 'take another cup' beckoned me to continue my waning efforts, until merciful darkness engulfed me.
~
I've always wondered what exactly happened that night, but I suppose it didn't really matter, because by the time I've awoken, I was... where was I?
Ah yes, I was up in one of the run down rooms in that self same tavern. Bending over me, caring for me was that count...
~
Knock. Knock. Knock.
A pause.
Knockknockknockknockknock.
Our secret code. Who could it be?
Stumbling out of the comfortable mattress, I grabbed my jacket and blearily yanked the door open.
"Shi... Shi-chan??" Surprise awashed my features as my stinging eyes took in another shivering form huddled behind the towering figure. "Mi-chan?"
It was only when he pursed his lips that I hurridly woke out from my stunned stupor and invited them in. A kettle of boiling water and three cups of much needed caffeine-entrenched tea later, I settled down to business with the two Oniwabanshuu members.
"The committee has spoken."
'Wow, the reticent Shi-chan has spoken more than a word. Ten points for him.' My sleepy mind chirped ignoring the scowl on my face.
"Yeah! And they want you to speak at the next meeting. They don't believe in the signs and especially not you. 'A convert' they say. 'What would she know?' They scoffed at you, so Aoshi-chan spoke up and said that you were still an Ageless with the mark of the Gods and you've gone through the rites and..."
Raising my hand to stall her, I sighed.
'Still talking as much as ever.' It's hard to imagine Misao ever keeping her mouth shut, and even hard to imagine Aoshi saying so much to the comittee. 'Minus five points.' My mind inanely quipped, won't it ever shut up?
"So, Shi-chan," Disregarding Aoshi's wince at his nickname, I continued. After all, I've known him since he was born, there was no reason for him to expect any less from me. "What do you suppose is the chance that they would disregard the sings and the probability that the Gods are returning?"
Shaking his head, Aoshi's monosyllabic returned in full force. "High."
Slamming her fits on the table, and exasperated Misao protested.
"But it's true! Even *I* also saw the sun turning blue and the Holy Water spill blood! There's no other explanation! It all fits the holy texts!"
Moving his hand over Misao's clenched ones, Aoshi placidly stopped her tirade.
'Wow. I believe only Aoshi would -dare- attempt that. Brave boy. Ten points.'
By now, Aoshi's standing in my eyes have crept a little over a million points. About a million, four hundred and fifty thousand, two hundred and sixty nine to be exact. What was more surprising was that Misao actually did not stop him or rail at him.
'Maybe she's slowly starting to mature into the Ageless that she was created to be.'
"But Aoshiiiiiiiii..."
Maybe not.
~
"Who are you? Are you an intruder? Are you here to capture the child? I won't allow you..."
Raising my hand more in an attempt to quell her incessant questioning rather than to show my innocence, I finally exclaimed out of frustration.
"I'm here for the child too but..."
Even before I could finish my sentence, she delivered a high kick meant for my face. Barely having enough time to retaliate, I moved my arm up to block, quickly spinning around and assumed a neutral stance hoping that she would see my harmless intention.
"Don't try to act innocent! He's mine to protect and I shan't let you pass!"
After skillfully manuvering myself away from her in her flurry of kicks that proceeded, I finally jumped out of her way and brough my hands up once again in a placating manner.
"I come here in peace. It is also of utmost importance to me that Aoshi is safe."
She stopped her punch in midair after hearing my words.
"Aoshi? How do you know that's his name... even his parents has not announced it yet... only the Gods know... you... you must be an Ageless too!"
Putting my hands back down to my sides, I grinned at her and bowed respectfully, afterall, any other Ageless' ranks higher than me.. ironically.
"Kamiya Kaoru, Unmei asked me to visit."
Surprised, she stared at me in shock.
"Kamiya? You... you have a surname?"
Smiling softly, I nodded my head. Ageless' were only given names when they were created because they were all created by the same God, the Mother God.
"I was not created, I was... made."
Revelation dawned in her eyes as she sheepishly scratched her head in a gesture I soon learned was a habit she had everytime she did something inappropriate or hasty.
"Well, I'm Misao. So... wanna see Aoshi-chan?"
And that cemented our friendship.
~
The room was strangely quiet. Not entirely silent, but quiet enough to be thought peculiar for a room that housed a doctor, two nurses, a frantic husband and his birthing wife.
Save for the pants that she gave off every interval, as well as the quiet soothing voice of her husband as he smoothed her hair away from her perspiring forehead, the room remain void of any other voice.
"Sir," the doctor turned to the man standing next to his wife "are you sure you can handle this? Otherwise, I'd advise you to step outside for the process."
Nodding his head firmly, the man resolutely stood by her side, through her pain, through her agony, through everything, like he vowed.
"I'm sure."
And as she pushed, giving life to yet another miracle of the Gods, no one but her husband noticed the room aglow, washed with brilliant colours of the entire spectrum, colours of the rainbow and beyond. As the child's first cry entered the word and sounds of delight, relief and 'you've got a boy!' entered the room, only he saw the colours dancing and finally fade away with a distant sound of music in his ears.
Looking down at his wife, his tired yet beautiful wife who just bore him more than a bundle of joy, the man held fast to her hand and whispered in her ear.
"He's beautiful. He's a beautiful boy, Tomoe."
~
Two collective gasps were heard.
I turned to look at Misao who's face turned ashen grey along with mine. The final piece was here. The Flame has entered the world.
"Misao?"
She turned to me whilst holding onto Aoshi's hand, reassuring him of our sanity and health as we experienced something that he, as a human, would not understand.
"The committee has to believe us now."
"Yes, yes you're right... it has begun."
~
In the distance, the sky broke out into a radiant display of hues as I could hear the faraway strains of music fading away into the night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Yes, it has been a long while. I hope that each of you who has reviewed for the last chapter has gotten a reply, if not, please do not hesistate to review AGAIN -here- and I'll get back to you. -grinz- Yes, I'm a whore for reviews.
About this chapter: I hope that you don't find it too disturbing, jarring or confusing. I do realise that I'm dragging out the true identity of Shinji and Kenshin, and what relation they have, but I really can't help it. It's too good to keep underwraps. heh heheheheheheheh So I'm sadistic. So what? -lol-
Another thing, from chapter to chapter, please be aware that I would probably shorten or lengthen the time span between each chapter. For example, this chapter is about... 3-4 years from the previous chapter, while the next chapter should be... around the same difference or less. Definitely not more.. not if I can help it at any rate.
Alright, same procedure, please review, let me know how things are, also forgive me for having '~' instead of italicised or bold words because my comp is changed and I don't have Microsoft word. ~_~;; Dad's too cheapskate. Whatever the reason, review!... they make me work.. harder? -grinz-
~Haruko
A New Beginning
This is the silence I crave. As I lay my aching body down to slumber, I crave the rest that I know would never be truly mine.
'Shinji,' the name that has been on my mind in my travels, my missions, my every waking hour. 'How are you?'
Lying in bed, facing the blinding darkness, I wondered about my next assignment, about the next group of Ageless that I have to convince. It would not be easy, for I was not a pure Ageless. No, unlike the other Ageless who has witnessed the cracking of the world to the leaving of the Gods, I was the only one who was -made- an Ageless, and for that, I paid the price.
~Flashback~
"Madame, would you join me for a cup of wine?"
Shocked that anyone would approach me, let alone request my company to drink, I merely nodded. It must have been the loneliness answering, for had I a clearer mind...
"How's this drink? Is wine fine by you?"
Only too eager for a simple conversation especially one by such a distinguished and dashing gentleman as the count. To him, it maybe a mere sip of courtesy, but to me, it was an escape from reality, a long step away from the cruel taunts and cold jeering which I was used to. Maybe there was hope for me afterall?
"I don't drink well, but I guess a sip won't hurt."
But a sip turned into a gulp which morphed into a mouthful. Soon, I was struggling to drink cups of wine and keeping them inside, all the while, sounds of 'drink up', 'take another cup' beckoned me to continue my waning efforts, until merciful darkness engulfed me.
~
I've always wondered what exactly happened that night, but I suppose it didn't really matter, because by the time I've awoken, I was... where was I?
Ah yes, I was up in one of the run down rooms in that self same tavern. Bending over me, caring for me was that count...
~
Knock. Knock. Knock.
A pause.
Knockknockknockknockknock.
Our secret code. Who could it be?
Stumbling out of the comfortable mattress, I grabbed my jacket and blearily yanked the door open.
"Shi... Shi-chan??" Surprise awashed my features as my stinging eyes took in another shivering form huddled behind the towering figure. "Mi-chan?"
It was only when he pursed his lips that I hurridly woke out from my stunned stupor and invited them in. A kettle of boiling water and three cups of much needed caffeine-entrenched tea later, I settled down to business with the two Oniwabanshuu members.
"The committee has spoken."
'Wow, the reticent Shi-chan has spoken more than a word. Ten points for him.' My sleepy mind chirped ignoring the scowl on my face.
"Yeah! And they want you to speak at the next meeting. They don't believe in the signs and especially not you. 'A convert' they say. 'What would she know?' They scoffed at you, so Aoshi-chan spoke up and said that you were still an Ageless with the mark of the Gods and you've gone through the rites and..."
Raising my hand to stall her, I sighed.
'Still talking as much as ever.' It's hard to imagine Misao ever keeping her mouth shut, and even hard to imagine Aoshi saying so much to the comittee. 'Minus five points.' My mind inanely quipped, won't it ever shut up?
"So, Shi-chan," Disregarding Aoshi's wince at his nickname, I continued. After all, I've known him since he was born, there was no reason for him to expect any less from me. "What do you suppose is the chance that they would disregard the sings and the probability that the Gods are returning?"
Shaking his head, Aoshi's monosyllabic returned in full force. "High."
Slamming her fits on the table, and exasperated Misao protested.
"But it's true! Even *I* also saw the sun turning blue and the Holy Water spill blood! There's no other explanation! It all fits the holy texts!"
Moving his hand over Misao's clenched ones, Aoshi placidly stopped her tirade.
'Wow. I believe only Aoshi would -dare- attempt that. Brave boy. Ten points.'
By now, Aoshi's standing in my eyes have crept a little over a million points. About a million, four hundred and fifty thousand, two hundred and sixty nine to be exact. What was more surprising was that Misao actually did not stop him or rail at him.
'Maybe she's slowly starting to mature into the Ageless that she was created to be.'
"But Aoshiiiiiiiii..."
Maybe not.
~
"Who are you? Are you an intruder? Are you here to capture the child? I won't allow you..."
Raising my hand more in an attempt to quell her incessant questioning rather than to show my innocence, I finally exclaimed out of frustration.
"I'm here for the child too but..."
Even before I could finish my sentence, she delivered a high kick meant for my face. Barely having enough time to retaliate, I moved my arm up to block, quickly spinning around and assumed a neutral stance hoping that she would see my harmless intention.
"Don't try to act innocent! He's mine to protect and I shan't let you pass!"
After skillfully manuvering myself away from her in her flurry of kicks that proceeded, I finally jumped out of her way and brough my hands up once again in a placating manner.
"I come here in peace. It is also of utmost importance to me that Aoshi is safe."
She stopped her punch in midair after hearing my words.
"Aoshi? How do you know that's his name... even his parents has not announced it yet... only the Gods know... you... you must be an Ageless too!"
Putting my hands back down to my sides, I grinned at her and bowed respectfully, afterall, any other Ageless' ranks higher than me.. ironically.
"Kamiya Kaoru, Unmei asked me to visit."
Surprised, she stared at me in shock.
"Kamiya? You... you have a surname?"
Smiling softly, I nodded my head. Ageless' were only given names when they were created because they were all created by the same God, the Mother God.
"I was not created, I was... made."
Revelation dawned in her eyes as she sheepishly scratched her head in a gesture I soon learned was a habit she had everytime she did something inappropriate or hasty.
"Well, I'm Misao. So... wanna see Aoshi-chan?"
And that cemented our friendship.
~
The room was strangely quiet. Not entirely silent, but quiet enough to be thought peculiar for a room that housed a doctor, two nurses, a frantic husband and his birthing wife.
Save for the pants that she gave off every interval, as well as the quiet soothing voice of her husband as he smoothed her hair away from her perspiring forehead, the room remain void of any other voice.
"Sir," the doctor turned to the man standing next to his wife "are you sure you can handle this? Otherwise, I'd advise you to step outside for the process."
Nodding his head firmly, the man resolutely stood by her side, through her pain, through her agony, through everything, like he vowed.
"I'm sure."
And as she pushed, giving life to yet another miracle of the Gods, no one but her husband noticed the room aglow, washed with brilliant colours of the entire spectrum, colours of the rainbow and beyond. As the child's first cry entered the word and sounds of delight, relief and 'you've got a boy!' entered the room, only he saw the colours dancing and finally fade away with a distant sound of music in his ears.
Looking down at his wife, his tired yet beautiful wife who just bore him more than a bundle of joy, the man held fast to her hand and whispered in her ear.
"He's beautiful. He's a beautiful boy, Tomoe."
~
Two collective gasps were heard.
I turned to look at Misao who's face turned ashen grey along with mine. The final piece was here. The Flame has entered the world.
"Misao?"
She turned to me whilst holding onto Aoshi's hand, reassuring him of our sanity and health as we experienced something that he, as a human, would not understand.
"The committee has to believe us now."
"Yes, yes you're right... it has begun."
~
In the distance, the sky broke out into a radiant display of hues as I could hear the faraway strains of music fading away into the night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Yes, it has been a long while. I hope that each of you who has reviewed for the last chapter has gotten a reply, if not, please do not hesistate to review AGAIN -here- and I'll get back to you. -grinz- Yes, I'm a whore for reviews.
About this chapter: I hope that you don't find it too disturbing, jarring or confusing. I do realise that I'm dragging out the true identity of Shinji and Kenshin, and what relation they have, but I really can't help it. It's too good to keep underwraps. heh heheheheheheheh So I'm sadistic. So what? -lol-
Another thing, from chapter to chapter, please be aware that I would probably shorten or lengthen the time span between each chapter. For example, this chapter is about... 3-4 years from the previous chapter, while the next chapter should be... around the same difference or less. Definitely not more.. not if I can help it at any rate.
Alright, same procedure, please review, let me know how things are, also forgive me for having '~' instead of italicised or bold words because my comp is changed and I don't have Microsoft word. ~_~;; Dad's too cheapskate. Whatever the reason, review!... they make me work.. harder? -grinz-
~Haruko