I realize that "Rurouni Kenshin" in a modern high school setting has been done about a THOUSAND times, but bear with me… This idea floated inside my head and I just went with it. I plan to set up the story in episodes, like the TV program, and the first few episodes (especially the ones introducing key characters) will follow the show pretty closely – with my own personal twist, naturally! As I get further into the story, I'll change things around quite a bit. Also, this is set in Japan (of course) but I am an American college student…please excuse me if I say something stupid, and kindly point it out in a review. Enjoy!
Happy-Go-Lucky
Episode One: Legendary Samurai Versus Notebook-Wielding Monster…Love At First Sight?
The day Himura Kenshin walked into my classroom was one of the worst days of my life.
Oh, don't get me wrong…the fact that it was a horrible day had nothing to do with Kenshin - just the opposite, in fact. I only wanted to point out Kenshin's uncanny ability to show up when everything hits rock bottom, and then miraculously fix it all in a heartbeat.
"Class, we have a new student joining us from Kyoto," the teacher announced. I looked up from my notebook where I had been diligently drawing little skulls and flames around a certain name (which I will reveal later). The boy standing next the teacher had long red hair, tied back at the nape of his neck, and deep lavender eyes. The quiet sighs emitting from the other girls let me know that they found him attractive, despite his short stature. I, however, was not in the mood to swoon over the new guy.
"His name is Himura Kenshin, and I expect you all to treat him with respect. Take your seat, Kenshin." The boy turned his head slightly, giving the class a full view of the strange, cross-shaped scar on his left cheek. That caught my attention. The rest of the class began whispering softly as Kenshin walked past rows of desks, searching for an empty seat. It wasn't until he paused in front of me, meeting my rude stare with a congenial smile, that I realized the only open desk was next to mine.
"Hello," he greeted cheerfully, setting his school bag down and taking his seat. I grunted in return. "Pardon me," he said politely, twisting to face me. "Which class is this? I forgot my schedule and – "
"History," I barked.
"Really?" he questioned with a goofy smile. "Those don't look like history notes to me." He pointed at my notebook and laughed softly.
"Well what do youknow?!" I shrieked, picking up the notebook and bringing it down on his head.
"Oro?!" Kenshin blinked and turned around hastily. I caught him sneaking glances at me all throughout the rest of the class, but I ignored him. In my defense, it was one of the worst days of my life.
Kami-sama, what a temper! Something I said must have really upset her. I glanced over at the raven-haired girl cautiously. She was scribbling in her notebook again - probably more death threats to this Hiruma Gohei person. I wonder if he's an ex-boyfriend… I heard her growl and jumped slightly, eyes whipping around to face the front. I sighed, my face twisting into an amused smile as I wondered what the people back in Kyoto would think, the infamous Battousai terrified of a little girl. The smile dropped off my face, my eyes narrowing coldly. No, not the Battousai…never again. Now I am simply Himura Kenshin, happy-go-lucky high school student. I snuck another glance at the irate girl beside me. She seemed calmer than before, her wide blue eyes studying her work critically as she tucked a loose strand off hair behind her ear. She was actually very pretty… The girl sensed my stare and looked up, scowling. I jerked my head around, pretending to be absorbed in the teacher's lecture. Well, may not so happy-go-lucky…
The new guy appeared to be afraid of me. I watched him scurry out of the classroom, bumping into people left and right in his eagerness to get away from the scary, notebook-wielding monster. Just great. How does the saying go? Perfect ending to a perfect day. Except my day was far from over. In fact, the most perfect of all classes was coming up next…gym with Mr. Hiruma Gohei. That, by the way, was the name I defiled in my notebook with burning skulls. He always calls on me to demonstrate kendo, and then proceeds to pick apart my technique in front of the entire class. I snarled, breaking my pencil in half in my rage. I learned the Kamiya Kasshin style from my father, who ran a very successful dojo until the day he died. He was a wonderful, peace loving man who taught a method of swordsmanship that protects rather than destroys, but with the recent events… Tears sprang to my eyes as I threw my books into my satchel and hurried out of the classroom. If I were late on top of everything else, Mr. Hiruma would really have a field day.
"Nice of you to join us, Ms. Kamiya." I looked up to see the same angry girl from my history class jog into the gym, straightening her gym uniform self-consciously.
"I'm sorry I'm late, Mr. Hiruma," she panted, "I was – "
"I don't want to hear your excuses, Kamiya!" the teacher snapped. "Grab a bokken and get over here." The girl – Kamiya-san – nodded miserably and did as he asked. She made her way to the center of the room with dragging steps, clutching the wooden bokken so tightly that her knuckles whitened. "Now," the teacher said, his eyes gleaming with malicious satisfaction. "I want you to give me ten good swings."
"Yes sir," she said, her voice barely a whisper. Moving her legs apart in the proper stance, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, her previous reluctance had disappeared, replaced by calm determination. I watched closely as she began her strokes, stunned by her talent. There was a strong force behind each swing, and the power she exuded was different from anything I'd ever felt. Any idiot could see that she was an excellent swordsman – er, swordswoman.
"No, Kamiya!" the teacher (What did Kamiya-san call him? Mr. Hiruma? Why did that name seem so familiar…) shouted. "You are doing it all wrong!" He snatched the bokken from her and began his own series of violent swings. Now thispower I am very familiar with…fools who think that swinging a sword as hard as they can equals strength. My eyes narrowed. I did not like this man. And it was obvious that Kamiya-san did not care for him either. "Do you think you can handle it, Kamiya?" Mr. Himura smirked. "Or can't you forget the corrupt teachings of your dear, dead daddy?"
Oro! That seemed uncalled for! And I don't even know what he's talking about. Kamiya-san was struggling to keep her temper in check, head bowed and hands clenched into tight fists.
"Your father must have been a truly evil man," Mr. Hiruma continued lazily, "to invent such a vicious style of swordsmanship. I'm surprised they don't dig up his grave and burn his corpse!" The insufferable man began laughing loudly. I willed Kamiya-san to hold her tongue, but the look in her eyes told me I'd be better off waiting for Hell to freeze over.
"My father," she stated lowly, "was ten times the man you'll ever be!" Her voice rose in pitch until she was shouting, her azure eyes flashing with rage. Shocked, Mr. Hiruma gaped at her, but his outrage soon dissolved into satisfaction. My heart sank.
"Is that so, Kamiya," he drawled. He lifted his meaty hand and struck her in the face, sending her crashing to the floor. I growled low in my throat. He knelt down beside her, whispering so that no one else could hear. Well, almost no one. "Listen, you little bitch, your father was a fool and a coward and if I could've, I would've killed him myself. But as things stand…I'll be happy to exact my revenge on you." I heard Kamiya-san gasp and saw Mr. Hiruma draw his hand back as he stood up, grinning. I glared. What had he done to her? "Ms. Kamiya has decided to go to the clinic," the teacher stated mockingly. "Anyone willing to escort her?" I paused, curious to see who would speak up. No one did. "Well, it looks as though you will have to take yourself," Mr. Hiruma said, grinning as he looked down at the poor girl who was sitting up dizzily, clutching her cheek.
"I will go." I was on my feet, heading over to Kamiya-san before Hiruma could even open his mouth. He scowled at me as I crouched down beside the girl, gazing at her anxiously. "Are you alright?" She had been staring at the floor, lost in thought, but at the sound of my voice she lifted her eyes to mine. My breath caught in my throat. Those large, cobalt eyes of hers were wide with hurt and confusion.
"I don't understand…" she whispered. I held her gaze for a moment longer, then plastered on what I hoped was a comforting smile, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders to help her to her feet.
"You'll be fine," I said in a low voice, leading her out of the gym. I had to get her…no, I had to get myself away from that man. I could feel the rage building inside of me, threatening to take over.
"My father was a good man." Her voice was desperate, begging me to believe her.
"A good man," I said absently. "That he was." She halted, and I looked at her questioningly.
"You knew my father?" she asked, cocking her head slightly to regard me with confusion.
"Ah, gomen," I chucked sheepishly. "No, I did not. I only meant that if he raised a daughter as loyal and brave as you, then he must have been a good man." Kamiya-san regarded me silently.
"You're the new guy from history class," she said suddenly. "Kenshin Himura." I nodded cautiously, waiting for her to pull out her notebook and start whacking me. "Arigatou, Kenshin." I started in surprise. She was staring at me shyly from under thick, dark eyelashes. Kami-sama, this girl's mood changes more swiftly than the path of Battousai's katana!
"Oro?" I gaped.
"Didn't you know?" Her sweet smile turned bitter. "There aren't many people who would be seen with the daughter of a murderer." She stared at the ground miserably.
"You should go to the clinic, Kamiya-san," I said, touching her shoulder gently.
"I never wanted to go to the clinic," she whispered. "That's not what Mr. Hiruma and I talked about." I know. What I don't know is what he did to you to make you gasp like that… Calm down, Kenshin, deep breathes.
"But, Kamiya-san," I started.
"Kaoru," she interrupted, lifting her head and smiling hesitantly.
"Oro?" She giggled, raising a hand to her mouth.
"You have some odd expressions, Himura-san," she said demurely. Oh, so now it's 'Himura-san,' hmm? "My name – it's Kaoru."
"Oh," I said softly, playing the name over in my mind. "Kamiya-san, you should really go to the clinic – "
"Mou, you have a one track mind!" she declared, releasing an exasperated sigh. Then, in a gentler tone, "Won't you call me by my first name, Himura-san?" Her eyes were pleading and strangely fearful, as if she didn't think she deserved to be treated as my friend. She didn't deserve to be my friend…the irony.
"Kaoru…" I murmured. Her gaze brightened. "…dono." Oops. I watched as her mouth dropped open in shock.
"Kaoru…dono?" she squeaked.
"Oro?" I offered weakly. She snapped her mouth closed, looking torn between annoyance and amusement. Luckily for me, the latter emotion prevailed.
"Mou, Kenshin," she gasped in between peals of laughter. "You are one strange guy!" You have no idea, Kaoru. I tried to look innocent and confused.
"Oro?" I parroted. Honestly, I don't know where these "odd expressions" (as Kaoru-dono put it so delicately) came from. I think I was trying to erase my other personality by creating an entirely opposite persona. The Battousai wouldn't be caught dead stuttering "oro's" or attaching "dono" to a young girl's name.
Lost in my own thoughts, I didn't notice Kaoru edge closer and lift her hand, reaching up to me with a fascinated expression. I was caught completely off guard when I felt cool fingers press against my scarred cheek. And it isn't a good thing for Battousai to be caught off guard.
I reacted instantly, wrapping my fingers around her wrist in an iron grip while my other hand searched for something at my waist… Kaoru gasped and tried to pull away, but I yanked her even closer, eyes narrowed as my right hand twitched at my side. It'd been a long time since someone had dared to touch me, especially there.
"G-Gomen, Kenshin," she whispered close to my chest, head tilted back as she gazed up at me with wide eyes. "I only wondered about your scar…" Her eyes wandered over to the marred cheek.
"I would rather not speak of it," I said gruffly, fighting to regain control.
"I'm sorry," she repeated, dropping her eyes and bowing her head so that her bangs brushed against my shirt. Kami-sama, is she crying…? I lowered my head, trying to look into her face. "Kenshin," she murmured, her breath tickling my cheek. "My wrist…you're hurting me." Cursing inwardly, I released her and stepped back.
"I apologize, de gozaru." The happy-go-lucky teenager was back, babbling more of his "odd expressions." How did I come up with this stuff?! Kaoru was shooting me dubious looks as she cradled her hand to her chest. I suppose the rapid transition from volatile, golden-eyed freak back to weird new guy threw her off a little. Go figure. "Are you hurt?" I questioned softly. She shook her head, her high ponytail swishing from side to side.
"I…I'm the one who should apologize," she spoke up haltingly. "I should have known you wouldn't want me to…to touch you." She shifted uncomfortably and gave me a heart-wrenching smile.
Oro! Did this beautiful, sweet, innocent young girl actually believe that I didn't want her touching me? It was more than I could bear…
"This unworthy one would like to invite you to lunch," I blurted. Kaoru blinked.
"I…"
"Please," I continued in a more subdued tone. "I would very much like your company." She stared at me searchingly, as if expecting me to change my mind. When I didn't, her lips curved up into a radiant smile. The thought that I gave her such happiness sent chills through my body…this was how she should look, always.
"I would love to join you for lunch, Himura-san." She blushed, and we were back to Mr. Himura. This switching back and forth threatened my sanity. Or what was left of it, anyway.
"Call me Kenshin," I told her. She nodded, her eyes sparkling.
"But only if you drop the 'dono' stuff," she insisted happily. Hmm, we shall see…
Wonderful? Terrible? Not worth thinking about? Please let me know!
Side Question: As of now I'm not bothering to italicize/embolden the characters' thoughts and silent comments…is that confusing to anyone?