Author's Note: Okay everybody two warnings here. First, this chapter is a major spoiler for episodes 64-74, in the arc of the anime known as the Shimabara or Christian Arc in the "Tales of the Meiji" section of the anime (the third season, I believe). My suggestion to Rurouni Kenshin fans is if there aren't any fansubs on the web for this arc--- if you can't buy it, borrow it and watch it. The storyline is one of the finest in the anime and although not part of the original manga, a must see for Kenshin/Kaoru fans. The next warning is this—I have gone in a bit of a different direction than I had originally planned but considering that Kenshin and Kaoru are visiting the place where they met Shougo Amakusa and the storyline is all about the Japanese Christians, I have used elements to reflect that. If that offends some of you, I understand. I appreciate all reading this and especially those who review, I'll never beg for reviews but would greatly appreciate them.
To The Honorable Gucci whose own story "Intervention" inspired me to write this chapter—I dedicate it to you—God Bless you!
THE SADNESS OF SHIMABARA
The wooden ship glided through the waters off the coast of Honshu and Shikoku as it headed toward Nagasaki and Shimabara. Kenshin and Kaoru had joined the other passengers as they watched the outskirts of Shizuoka disappear behind them a day after spending the last month wandering through the wilderness and many villages to get to the port to board the craft to sail to the place where they first met Shougo Amakusa. The voyage was scheduled to take about a week and the couple made a vow to enjoy the leisurely trip.
The journey from the sight of his birthplace to Shizuoka had taken a few weeks as they traveled by foot basically living the life of nomads. Sometimes staying at people's homes or an occasional abandoned hut but mostly sleeping before a campfire, Kenshin took Kaoru to trod a condensed but similar path to the one he had for ten years as a rurouni before they had crossed paths in Tokyo. He took her through several villages as he explained to her the various incidents that required he wield his sword to protect or promote justice against those who would harm the weak or peaceful. Kaoru was amazed by the way he was sharing this part of his past with her with no subterfuge or hesitation and it just enforced the feeling within her that Kenshin had a plan in mind that involved them both.
Kenshin stood at the ship's bow, staring out into the waters as his mind pondered the last time he and his friends took this particular journey. Shougo Amakusa was leading a group of Christians and had proclaimed himself the Child of God, using the Hiten Mitsurugi style of swordsmanship to slay those government officials behind the persecution of his people and to join forces with Western powers who wanted to colonize Japan. He and his sister Sayo had genuine motives of creating a place of freedom and worship for those persecuted for following the Christ but was used by the evil Kaiou whose design was to use Shougo to destroy Japan for his own means of vengeance. Shougo was also seeking revenge, but his was for the senseless slaughter of his parents for nothing more than their steadfast beliefs for he had experienced both parents' deaths at the hand of those who hated them.
Kenshin sighed as he opened a small black leather volume that he found in his cabin on the ship. Curiosity had turned to fascination as he had read its contents, for it was the book known as the Bible, the holy book of the Christians that Shougo, Sayo and all their followers devoutly believed in. He had been curious by the faith of those that believed in a messiah that was the incarnate Son of God who died on a cross and shed his blood for the sins of others. The concept to one bloodstained as he was miraculous and awe-inspiring so he was totally absorbed by the various verses that gave him a glimmer of hope for forgiveness. To think that the God who created heaven and earth would give his son to die for one of his creations even one who killed so mercilessly as he did before and in some cases wanted to again was stunning to Kenshin. It helped him put into perspective his feelings as he was still brooding darkly about what had nearly taken place over a month ago. . . .
I nearly killed again. And worse, I wanted to. Those men who accosted Kaoru in the woods deserved to die and I wanted nothing more than to empty their miserable bodies of their blood for trying to take her. But isn't it's wrong to take any life, even ones as evil as theirs? All life is precious to Kami-sama, even those whose bodies house hearts black as night that's what this book says. Yet deep in my own heart I can't stop the manslayer buried within to emerge when the one I love most is threatened.
He was still deep in thought when Kaoru strolled over to the former samurai's side and sighed softly to announce her presence but Kenshin did not stir, his attention totally involved in the book. She peeked over at the page he was so enraptured by and after a while finally ventured an inquiry.
"Kenshin, what is that book that you're reading?"
Kenshin looked at her and smiled an apology. "Forgive me, Kaoru. This book has me quite captivated, that it does."
"So what is it?" she wanted to know.
Kenshin turned to face her. "It's called a bible and as I recall it's the holy book of the Christians."
Kaoru gasped as she looked around worriedly. "Isn't that book still banned? The believers in it still worship in secret for fear of reprisal."
He laughed as he replied, "Not since the Meiji government allowed different beliefs to exist in the country." He sobered and added, " But you're right, the believers continue to worship in secret for there are those of the old shogunate who continue to persecute them."
"So where did you find it?"
"In my cabin. It was in the corner, covered by some old rags. It had apparently been discarded." He closed the book but not before marking his place to return. "I have to admit, however that I'm intrigued by the idea of redemption by the shedding of blood. I wandered throughout Japan for ten years to seek redemption because I did shed blood, so much blood," he said bitterly as he stared stonily ahead and once again became overtaken by guilt.
Kaoru nodded silently as she pondered these somber words. Since the fight with the scavengers in the wilderness when she was bathing, Kenshin had been mostly pensive and uncommunicative, unwilling to talk when he was so obviously disturbed. He was still polite and answered any question asked but he did not venture to talk about anything but mundane topics. It irked her that he had distanced himself from her yet she held her tongue sensing the need to give him space. So she did not push the issue but instead laid a gentle hand on his shoulder.
He shook his head and pasted his customary rurouni smile on, his mask. "I was just thinking it's a bit ironic that I should find this bible as we are approaching Shimabara, that it is." He reached up and squeezed Kaoru's hand. "I'm sorry to be worrying you, Kaoru-dono, that I am."
Kaoru took his hand in both of hers. "If you want to talk, Kenshin, I'm here."
Kenshin's eyes glowed as he extracted his hand and ran the back of it down her petal soft cheek in a soft caress. "I know. Arigatou, koishii."
She blushed at the endearment and they both turned to watch the progress of the ship as it advanced toward Shimabara.
A few days later, the ship docked at Nagasaki and Kenshin and Kaoru disembarked and headed for the coastline where the isolated village of Shimabara lay, now abandoned by the Christians that had followed Shougo. The group of faithful who had long since departed for Holland with the kindly Dutch consul Sir Elston, who in turn promised the beleaguered group sanctuary in Amsterdam had been overjoyed by the prospect of living in a community that enabled them to worship without fear. The reminders of their 300 year persecution under the strict law in the Tokugawa era were still present as the field of crosses stood sentinel against the azure sky, stark silhouettes that spoke of the brutal punishment they underwent that reflected that of the Crucifixion of their Savior. Yet those who experienced this went willingly as Christ himself did to Calvary.
Kenshin walked slowly into the cross-filled area that overlooked the waves and his heart was filled with reverence at what was represented there. For those Christians who gave their lives without hesitation rather than denounce their faith the cruel death that they experienced was merely a threshold to a greater existence, a life everlasting for all eternity and a crown of glory at the hands of their Father God. He reached for the book that he had found on the ship and it opened to the passage in the book of John chapter 3 verse 16:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Kaoru stood beside him and scanned the field of crucifixes with wide sapphire eyes, also feeling the sense of being on hallowed ground. Her eyes welled up as she spotted the different sizes of the crosses, some smaller for the children who undoubtedly went to their deaths, their entire lives before them cut short by the shogunate. She went forward slowly to stand before one such small cross and her heart broke as she began to sob quietly, sinking to her knees.
"How cruel," she murmured, tremulously, tears tracing tracks on her cheeks. She continued to mourn for the child that had undoubtedly died there when she felt gentle but strong hands grasp her shoulders.
"Kenshin," she said softly, her voice breaking. "These crosses were for children."
"I know," his own voice was heavy with emotion. "Their innocent faith made them unafraid to face anything because of the promises of paradise. That's what the bible says."
Kaoru wiped at her watery orbs with the sleeve of her kimono. She turned to him and said, "Sometime, I'd like to read some of that book. Would you share it with me?"
Kenshin smiled and nodded. "If you wish, but it's still pretty new to me."
Kaoru smiled back as she assured him, "That's okay. It's just something else we can share."
Kenshin's eyes sparkled as he squeezed her hand and then they both rose and walked slowly away from the garden of crosses.
It was mid afternoon and the next stop was the seashore where the shack that offered them harbor after Shougo Amakusa's attack robbed Kenshin of his sight albeit temporarily, stood. The two chambered up the incline from the beach and Kenhin took Kaoru's hand and assisted her into the shelter, which was little more than some wood slats nailed haphazardly together. Kenshin took a good look around and noticed the various holes and crooked planks and mused to himself that the shelter was so flimsy a good gale would demolish it. Yet it had housed him and Kaoru for the few days before his final battle with Shougo and this was uppermost in his thoughts as his eyes scanned the ramshackle building.
Kaoru noticed his reflective expression, which was becoming commonplace on this journey and remarked softly. "It hasn't changed much since we were last here."
Kenshin nodded as he listened to the soft pounding of the sunlit waves as they kissed the shore. "I can still hear the waves and the breeze as it rustles the trees. I remember how that was a comfort to me as I sat here in darkness, that it was."
Kaoru nodded as she agreed. "Hai, it was peaceful here as we rested and gathered our strength for the next battle." She went over to the rope strung across the interior and mused, "It was also here I had repaired and rinsed out your clothes."
Kenshin moved over to her and grasped her shoulders. "I remember. You cared for me as I sat here and I said to you that it pained me more that you didn't have your smile. And it was true, the absence of your smile worried me more than the fact that I couldn't see."
Kaoru felt a thrill go through her, like a ripple on the glassy surface of a pond, reverberating as she again felt an intimacy growing between them and his hands gently kneaded her shoulders. She turned slowly to face him as his hands slowly slid from her shoulders to cup her face, his eyes glowing like twin amethysts on fire.
"As beautiful as the world appeared after my eyes were again opened the loveliest sight to greet me as I defeated Shougo and regained my sight was your smile, that it was." Kenshin's voice had deepened and was soft like a caress as his thumbs traced the outline of her lips. He studied her intently as a soft blush began on her ivory cheeks.
"Kenshin," she said breathlessly as he silenced her and drew her mouth slowly to his to join it with his own.
His kiss was soft and insistent, teasing her lips open to receive him as her arms snaked around his torso and drew him in. Her response became eager as she experienced sensations new to her, her innocence and inexperience evident but not a hindrance to the tender passion from the titian haired swordsman. They both blossomed like morning glories to the dawn as long pent up feelings burst free of their fetters and the kiss deepened. Finally they drew apart, still locked in each other's arms as the sunset streamed through the worn slats and the ocean roar surrounded them.
Kenshin broke from the embrace and took Kaoru's hand. "Come, koishii we should find lodging for the night. Then tomorrow there is another place we should visit while we are here, that we should." And he assisted her out of the ramshackle shelter and on their way.
The next day they went to the grave that was a memorial to Mutoh Sayo, otherwise known as Lady Magdalia, the sister of Shougo Amakusa, whose life was short but dedicated to spreading the hopes and promises of Christianity to the small group of her brother's followers. Shougo was their leader but it was Magdalia who actually led them as they all worshiped God and adored her for the gentle ways she displayed God's love, especially to the children. She was ill with tuberculosis but her end came from a bullet as Sir Elston's assistant fired to kill him but she jumped in the range of fire, taking the hit to spare the Dutch consul and avert a possible war. This sad tale was all relayed to them from Sanosuke, who was eyewitness to the shocking turn of events and pummeled the man Santou for taking Magdalia's life. Sano was reluctant to admit it but he was devastated by the death of the lady apostle, having inadvertently fallen in love with her and became her protector after encountering her and her assistant on the road and saving her from some harassing police officers. On the way home, several times he became quiet and brooded, a manner very much unlike him, which arose the suspicions of his friends.
Kaoru and Kenshin came to the simple monument, which overlooked the sea that sparkled with the morning sunlight. The couple walked to the stone and then placed some flowers down at the base as both bowed their heads to say a prayer for the girl who wanted nothing more than to give hope to the oppressed. One her stone was etched this verse: The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
As he finished and rose, Kenshin drew out the black leather book that had so enthralled him recently and read aloud a passage he came across that also seemed to fit:
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
Kaoru came over and looked at the book. "That's really nice, Kenshin. Is that in the bible you've been reading?"
Kenshin nodded. "Uh-huh. It fit in with the prayer I said for Magdalia's soul, that it did."
Kaoru was contemplative as she remembered the previous evening. After eating in the dining room of an inn, Kenshin had arranged for two separate rooms and before turning in, Kaoru had knocked on the shoji to say good night to her companion. When he did not respond she had slid the portal open and stepped into the room.
"I just wanted to wish you a good night, Kenshin," Kaoru said as she noticed how engrossed he was, sitting by the lantern and reading. She approached him and knelt down.
"Kenshin?"
He queried distractedly, "Aa?"
"I knocked on the shoji before I came in but you didn't answer. Is everything all right?" Kaoru gazed worriedly at him as his head remained bent over the tome.
Kenshin glanced up and then seeing Kaoru favored her with a smile. "I'm sorry, Kaoru I was so involved in reading, I didn't hear you. Did you need me for something?"
Kaoru shook her head. "Just wanted to say oyasuminasai to you. Are you still reading that book?"
Kenshin nodded as he replied, "Aa. I wanted to see what it was that would move people so that they wouldn't hesitate to give up their lives. The words in here promise a life everlasting where there would be no more tears. To those whose lives were in constant danger that represents real hope, that it does. "
Kaoru looked intently at him as he continued as if in deep reflection, "When I was in the Ishin Shishi, we were sure that laying down our lives for what we believed was a just cause was the noblest of aspirations. And we took lives believing that those opposite us, the Shinsengumi, were the evil ones. We acted as judge and jury as we manslayers took lives. But as I have known these eleven years it was a wrong calling. Reading this book makes me see that life is precious and to use it to live for others is the noblest calling as we press on for the greater prize in the afterlife. And to think that I, stained with all my sins, I could still be redeemed is…miraculous."
Kaoru said softly, "Sounds to me like what is in that book had already been ingrained in your heart and just affirms your beliefs."
Kenshin nodded at her in assent. "I'm finding myself in agreement with a lot of what is said in these pages, that I am. This book that is the foundation to the Christian faith is very intriguing."
Kaoru saw that Kenshin's words from the night before were displayed in his actions as he stood before the monument to Lady Magdalia his brow furrowed as he mused. She in turn knelt down and paid her respects, her mind on the first time she had met Shougo's sister. . . .
Flashback:
She had left the area that Kenshin had bade her to stay to go after some curious children of the believers who had revealed themselves and so she and Yahiko chased after them. But she took a turn and became lost as she stumbled upon a cave that appeared endless, leading deep into the bowels of the hills that surrounded the beach. She was following the path aimlessly as she was frightened by the skulls and numerous remains of others and ran shrieking until she saw a light in the distance. Curiosity replaced fright as Kaoru continued her trek and discovered Shougo Amakusa in his subterranean sanctuary. She gasped and he turned and acknowledged her as "Himura's woman" which surprised her but she did not refute the statement as she told him her name. They had then had a heated discourse about the upcoming battle during which Shougo's sister entered and interrupted.
The two women gazed at each other as Kaoru introduced herself. But she had noticed there was a spark, a feeling of common ground as she saw the calm serenity within the worried jade depths of Magdalia's eyes. Shougo then stated the time had come for the battle and took Kaoru along for insurance to face Kenshin. . . .
Later, after the final battle and Kenshin's defeat of him, Shougo was incarcerated, waiting in prison as the Japanese government decided the fate of him and his followers. Kaoru felt led by her compassionate heart to visit him and as she gave him the letter and Magdalia's medallion that Sanosuke had entrusted her with. As he thanked her, she mentioned the feeling of fellowship she had felt for his sister. He responded with eyes of gratitude that had Sayo been there and heard her, she would have said she found a life-long friend in Kaoru.
End Flashback
Kaoru felt warmth in her heart and again she felt the regret of not getting to be friends with the sweet woman who rested there, the woman who had stolen Sanosuke's heart. As they all left Shimabara a few days after Shougo and his followers, the former fighter for hire was silent and withdrawn on the boat ride to Osaka, very unlike him, even Kenshin it seemed could not get through to him. He did finally snap out of it somewhat and was back to himself for the most part but there were times he would just sit on the ship's deck, deep in thought.
"Poor Sayo and Sanosuke," Kaoru whispered a tear for the tragedy slipping from her sapphire orbs as she bowed and rose. She went to Kenshin's side as he stood there waiting.
Kenshin nodded as she asked, "Did Sano ever tell you about her?"
"Not much," came the laconic reply. "It appears that Sano deals best with his pain by burying it. But I could tell that Magdalia-dono meant a great deal to him, that she did."
It was Kaoru's turn to nod as she remarked regretfully, "It's too bad that they never got a chance for happiness. Life truly is fleeting."
"Aa," Kenshin agreed as the words of his beloved echoed in his head. Life is truly fleeting. Kaoru is right, life is something that can disappear like smoke on the wind. It's late April and time to finalize these plans I've made to make Kaoru my wife putting the past to rest at last and forging our future together.
He grasped her elbow and said with mild authority, "It's time for us to leave and go on, Kaoru. Let's go back to get our things at the inn and sail off."
She studied him as they began walking back to Nagasaki. "Where are we headed next, Kenshin?"
He did not miss a step as he replied, "We are going to…Kyoto."
NEXT---HIKO'S BLESSINGS