Disclaimer: EEEEEE!!! It's the last chapter and I don't own any of the
characters! ^o^
Author's-blabber-of-nothing-important: It's the last chapter... Whoo?
Another Chance at Life By Weasel1029 (rokinevilweasel1029@hotmail.com)
*****Chapter 11 ~ Another Chance at Life *****
Unlike Kaoru and Megumi, Ajisai and Kujiro didn't bother to get dressed up for the Tanabata festival. Refusing to wear, "constricting kimonos."
The gang met Sano and Souzou at the fair as planned, and everyone went off to each booth looking at the chocolates, perfumes and expensive gifts for your loved one.
Naturally Ajisai and Kujiro felt out of place and wandered with no purpose. After a while of walking they separated due to the large crowd of people in the streets.
Kujiro didn't know where she was, she just traveled were her foot carried her or were the crowd was headed. She found her self being deposited in front of a match maker booth. 'Fate has a sick sense of humor.'
One snobby rich brat started whispering to her friend next to her, not bothering to be inconspicuous of the subject they were gossiping about.
"LOOK at those clothes! You can see her legs! How disgraceful! I don't know why she is bothering walking by here. No one wants some wanna- be swordsman for their wife!"
Kujiro froze as she was about to turn away, and spun around to face the bitches in front of her.
The girl who last said something was a pretty girl, a nice shade of brown hair. She had matching harsh brown eyes, and a small nose. Her lips were a desirable rose red, but they were in the shape of a cocky smirk, that just messed up the rest of her face. Kujiro was sure that she could have been a lot prettier if she didn't look like such a bitch.
Her friend on the other hand... was on the portly side. You could mistake it for her face to be swelled. Obviously trying to make her self more appealing she tried to use makeup, but it was a poor job. You could tell that she used it, and that she didn't use it well.
"If you think I'm a 'wanna-be' I would gladly show you my skills," her voice was venomous, "but I wouldn't waste my precious time on you shrews."
The first girl's mouth was wide open in shock at being talked back to. The anger she was emitting was practically tangible. Not that Kujiro gave a damn.
"How dare you speak to me that way," she seethed, "do you have ANY clue who I am?! I'm-"
"I couldn't care less about your name. And I am not the one who first spoke out of their place. Oh! And by the way," She added sweetly, "no one wants to marry a bitch."
Before the other girl could utter a word Kujiro walked away once again blending with the crowd and following their footsteps. She didn't feel like doing this any more, she couldn't bare to see any more couples or anymore critical eyes in her direction. Her emptiness was starting to rip her apart; she was feeling emptier than ever before.
She forced her way thought the crowd to get back to the path leading to the river.
She looked into the surface of the flowing water, her reflection blurry and unclear. Much like her emotions.
'Will I ever find someone that every other normal person has the chance find. Do I even have a chance? No! Like the bitch said, no one wants to love or marry for that matter a swordsman. All I know is the sword. It's my life. No husband would like the fact that his wife could protect him. It's just plain shameful. I'm destined to a lonely life, with my sword as my only comfort... if you would call killing people comforting.'
She punched her reflection as if to say, 'I won't condemn myself to that.'
She turned away defeated by her own thoughts, away from the rushing river. She closed her eyes and wished to be away, far away. 'Maybe if I stayed with my parents I would be able to find someone. Yeah... and have bruises all over your body!'
"Kujiro? Are you alright?"
Souzou and she had gotten to know much about each other in the past few weeks, since they would take walks together or, he would interrupt her training. Once she was training by the river and she saw him there, so she splashed at him playfully. He responded by splashing her back, so to get her just revenge she pushed him in. But he was smart and held onto her arm bringing her in with him. They then proceeded to continue to splash each other until they started to prune.
They talked of many things, and knew each other so well hey could easily read each other.
"Just letting some weakling girls get to me." She chuckled harshly at the thought. One sentence could affect her to that extent?
"What did they say?"
"Well they were right! They said how disgrace full I was, and how no man could love or marry a 'wanna-be' swordsman! And they were right! I mean, think about it, what man in their right mind would like a wife who was stronger than them? It would be disgraceful to them! I couldn't bare it any more, seeing all those happy people. I can't! Not when no one could ever want anything to do with me!"
"I do," was his soft reply. It was warm and loving, a thing Kujiro never heard in anyone's voice before. She had heard sarcasm, annoyance, anger, comfort, but never ever had she heard love. Love was different from comfort as well. Love came with warmth, with an inner meaning. Comfort is just used to help someone, not as potent as love.
~*~
Kenshin and Kaoru sat on a bench away from the noise of the festival. Both looking at the stars on the horizon.
Kaoru subconsciously laid her head on Kenshin's shoulder like she always used to do with her father. She could feel Kenshin tense when she laid her head on his shoulder, but relaxed once he realized it was Kaoru.
Kenshin smiled to himself, and lay his head on top of hers.
No words needed to be said at that moment, it was a very comfortable silence.
~*~
"Nani," she couldn't believe her ears. 'Why would he say that? Oh god... no. He actually meant it? Wait! I wanted to hear this! But... why don't I want it now?!'
Souzou took a few steps forward until he was inches from Kujiro. He then wrapped his arms around her and brought her closer to him, "I want a wife like you," he whispered in her ear.
Kujiro had never had anyone this close to her before, EVER. Upon realizing this, she felt a peculiar thing. The warmth emitting from Souzou's body. It was only then she realized how close they really were, and could feel her own arms around his.
Souzou felt it too, he felt her warmth and he immediately brought her apart to look into her face. Her eyes held confusion along with nerves ness, and content. Without thinking he lowered down his head to bring his lips on hers.
Kujiro's initial reaction was shock. He was courageous... she had to give him that. To pull such a forward move after only knowing her for a month.
Unfathomable things were happing that Kujiro just couldn't understand. At his slightest touch she felt her walls collapse. Weary from years of constant wear and tear, they finally broke. Her prided walls which she had learned would keep her from emotion pain had just crumbled with the sensation of Souzou's lips.
He didn't know if it was because he was sensitive to feeling things and tasting but, Kujiro was sweet and warm, he could only hope that she would accept his gesture. Because after this, he doubted that a day would go by without him thinking of the feel of her lips.
To Souzou's delight her arms shot up to meet his neck to pull him in closer and she opened her mouth inviting him to continue. He complied all too happily as he coaxed her to follow his lead with his tongue.
His soft overly long bangs tickled her face. Her hands played with his hair just as his were toiling with her mane.
Unfortunately they needed to breathe, and broke the kiss in need of air.
"Did you feel that," Kujiro asked anxiously, "I mean... I felt your warmth and your embrace-"
She stopped when Souzou hushed her by putting a finger on her lips. "Even if I didn't," he replied, "knowing that you did is more than enough."
Kujiro looked at him, unsure if he had feeling and taste... now she knew how frustrating it was when people spoke in riddles. "You still didn't answer my question. Did you feel anything?!"
His smile was warm and brought her great comfort. "Hai," he whispered in her ear, "and I'm glad you're the first thing I tasted."
In shock, her eyes widened to look at him in the face. He was smiling again, and she returned it... her first real smile, in... Kami-sama knows how long. This was her other chance at living a good life... all her life it was abuse and death. This was her chance, not only hers but his as well.
They stood there in the moonlit night, the sound of the river rushing by and distant sound of the festival. Kissing in the twilight.
Author's-final-blabber-of-nothing-important: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! IT'S FINALLY DONE!!!! *Heavy weight lifts off shoulders* NOW to my better stories!!! I think this chapter was pretty good though... but I just couldn't write more so I finished it. Oh well... Ja ne minna-san!!!!
Weasel
Author's-blabber-of-nothing-important: It's the last chapter... Whoo?
Another Chance at Life By Weasel1029 (rokinevilweasel1029@hotmail.com)
*****Chapter 11 ~ Another Chance at Life *****
Unlike Kaoru and Megumi, Ajisai and Kujiro didn't bother to get dressed up for the Tanabata festival. Refusing to wear, "constricting kimonos."
The gang met Sano and Souzou at the fair as planned, and everyone went off to each booth looking at the chocolates, perfumes and expensive gifts for your loved one.
Naturally Ajisai and Kujiro felt out of place and wandered with no purpose. After a while of walking they separated due to the large crowd of people in the streets.
Kujiro didn't know where she was, she just traveled were her foot carried her or were the crowd was headed. She found her self being deposited in front of a match maker booth. 'Fate has a sick sense of humor.'
One snobby rich brat started whispering to her friend next to her, not bothering to be inconspicuous of the subject they were gossiping about.
"LOOK at those clothes! You can see her legs! How disgraceful! I don't know why she is bothering walking by here. No one wants some wanna- be swordsman for their wife!"
Kujiro froze as she was about to turn away, and spun around to face the bitches in front of her.
The girl who last said something was a pretty girl, a nice shade of brown hair. She had matching harsh brown eyes, and a small nose. Her lips were a desirable rose red, but they were in the shape of a cocky smirk, that just messed up the rest of her face. Kujiro was sure that she could have been a lot prettier if she didn't look like such a bitch.
Her friend on the other hand... was on the portly side. You could mistake it for her face to be swelled. Obviously trying to make her self more appealing she tried to use makeup, but it was a poor job. You could tell that she used it, and that she didn't use it well.
"If you think I'm a 'wanna-be' I would gladly show you my skills," her voice was venomous, "but I wouldn't waste my precious time on you shrews."
The first girl's mouth was wide open in shock at being talked back to. The anger she was emitting was practically tangible. Not that Kujiro gave a damn.
"How dare you speak to me that way," she seethed, "do you have ANY clue who I am?! I'm-"
"I couldn't care less about your name. And I am not the one who first spoke out of their place. Oh! And by the way," She added sweetly, "no one wants to marry a bitch."
Before the other girl could utter a word Kujiro walked away once again blending with the crowd and following their footsteps. She didn't feel like doing this any more, she couldn't bare to see any more couples or anymore critical eyes in her direction. Her emptiness was starting to rip her apart; she was feeling emptier than ever before.
She forced her way thought the crowd to get back to the path leading to the river.
She looked into the surface of the flowing water, her reflection blurry and unclear. Much like her emotions.
'Will I ever find someone that every other normal person has the chance find. Do I even have a chance? No! Like the bitch said, no one wants to love or marry for that matter a swordsman. All I know is the sword. It's my life. No husband would like the fact that his wife could protect him. It's just plain shameful. I'm destined to a lonely life, with my sword as my only comfort... if you would call killing people comforting.'
She punched her reflection as if to say, 'I won't condemn myself to that.'
She turned away defeated by her own thoughts, away from the rushing river. She closed her eyes and wished to be away, far away. 'Maybe if I stayed with my parents I would be able to find someone. Yeah... and have bruises all over your body!'
"Kujiro? Are you alright?"
Souzou and she had gotten to know much about each other in the past few weeks, since they would take walks together or, he would interrupt her training. Once she was training by the river and she saw him there, so she splashed at him playfully. He responded by splashing her back, so to get her just revenge she pushed him in. But he was smart and held onto her arm bringing her in with him. They then proceeded to continue to splash each other until they started to prune.
They talked of many things, and knew each other so well hey could easily read each other.
"Just letting some weakling girls get to me." She chuckled harshly at the thought. One sentence could affect her to that extent?
"What did they say?"
"Well they were right! They said how disgrace full I was, and how no man could love or marry a 'wanna-be' swordsman! And they were right! I mean, think about it, what man in their right mind would like a wife who was stronger than them? It would be disgraceful to them! I couldn't bare it any more, seeing all those happy people. I can't! Not when no one could ever want anything to do with me!"
"I do," was his soft reply. It was warm and loving, a thing Kujiro never heard in anyone's voice before. She had heard sarcasm, annoyance, anger, comfort, but never ever had she heard love. Love was different from comfort as well. Love came with warmth, with an inner meaning. Comfort is just used to help someone, not as potent as love.
~*~
Kenshin and Kaoru sat on a bench away from the noise of the festival. Both looking at the stars on the horizon.
Kaoru subconsciously laid her head on Kenshin's shoulder like she always used to do with her father. She could feel Kenshin tense when she laid her head on his shoulder, but relaxed once he realized it was Kaoru.
Kenshin smiled to himself, and lay his head on top of hers.
No words needed to be said at that moment, it was a very comfortable silence.
~*~
"Nani," she couldn't believe her ears. 'Why would he say that? Oh god... no. He actually meant it? Wait! I wanted to hear this! But... why don't I want it now?!'
Souzou took a few steps forward until he was inches from Kujiro. He then wrapped his arms around her and brought her closer to him, "I want a wife like you," he whispered in her ear.
Kujiro had never had anyone this close to her before, EVER. Upon realizing this, she felt a peculiar thing. The warmth emitting from Souzou's body. It was only then she realized how close they really were, and could feel her own arms around his.
Souzou felt it too, he felt her warmth and he immediately brought her apart to look into her face. Her eyes held confusion along with nerves ness, and content. Without thinking he lowered down his head to bring his lips on hers.
Kujiro's initial reaction was shock. He was courageous... she had to give him that. To pull such a forward move after only knowing her for a month.
Unfathomable things were happing that Kujiro just couldn't understand. At his slightest touch she felt her walls collapse. Weary from years of constant wear and tear, they finally broke. Her prided walls which she had learned would keep her from emotion pain had just crumbled with the sensation of Souzou's lips.
He didn't know if it was because he was sensitive to feeling things and tasting but, Kujiro was sweet and warm, he could only hope that she would accept his gesture. Because after this, he doubted that a day would go by without him thinking of the feel of her lips.
To Souzou's delight her arms shot up to meet his neck to pull him in closer and she opened her mouth inviting him to continue. He complied all too happily as he coaxed her to follow his lead with his tongue.
His soft overly long bangs tickled her face. Her hands played with his hair just as his were toiling with her mane.
Unfortunately they needed to breathe, and broke the kiss in need of air.
"Did you feel that," Kujiro asked anxiously, "I mean... I felt your warmth and your embrace-"
She stopped when Souzou hushed her by putting a finger on her lips. "Even if I didn't," he replied, "knowing that you did is more than enough."
Kujiro looked at him, unsure if he had feeling and taste... now she knew how frustrating it was when people spoke in riddles. "You still didn't answer my question. Did you feel anything?!"
His smile was warm and brought her great comfort. "Hai," he whispered in her ear, "and I'm glad you're the first thing I tasted."
In shock, her eyes widened to look at him in the face. He was smiling again, and she returned it... her first real smile, in... Kami-sama knows how long. This was her other chance at living a good life... all her life it was abuse and death. This was her chance, not only hers but his as well.
They stood there in the moonlit night, the sound of the river rushing by and distant sound of the festival. Kissing in the twilight.
Author's-final-blabber-of-nothing-important: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! IT'S FINALLY DONE!!!! *Heavy weight lifts off shoulders* NOW to my better stories!!! I think this chapter was pretty good though... but I just couldn't write more so I finished it. Oh well... Ja ne minna-san!!!!
Weasel
