Disclaimer:
Yeah I own nothing. This is my first Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fic. This story is fictional and does not follow the Rurouni Kenshin story lines like the TV Show or anything. This is about the god of Rurouni Kenshin Lord Aoshi! ((Applause and Whoops)) and his first love Anju. I hope you enjoy! (
Introduction
The night, I remember that night sky. There was only darkness; it was like the pits of hell. I dismissed the idea that there was a storm; the sky was dense with smoke. I rode on the back of a black stallion praying that I could see the sun shine once more. I mark that night as one that I shall never forget; the night my youth was stricken from me, and the world, as I knew it expired.
My mother told me, that our experience in this world, our very lives and existence, are planned out for us. Fate and destiny often intertwined themselves. She told me, everything happened for a reason, and that a reason was not always needed to explain the event either.
I wonder if that fire.... had a reason.
Chapter 1 Meeting
That day, my mother said, was going to be the best day in my life. After the morning chores I would never be the same girl again. I paid no mind to her, and gallivanted the rice fields whistling as I went, blissfully unaware of what awaited for me with the next new sun.
Kip, my dog, walked at my feet waiting in a thirstily manner, hoping that I may drop a few rice crumbs from him to lick up from the soft copious ground at my feet, and of course I always did. My mother would scold me, saying it was unorthodox for a dog to live in such a lap of luxury, as we were the people who worked in the fields, yet a mongrel like Kip could eat like a sire. I only laughed clean-handedly and continued with chores. I loved the rice fields for it seemed I could be swallowed up, engulfed by the tall stalks around me, melting away, so I no longer had to be seen.
My father, Namura-san, now believed I had "come to age" and it was time for him to find me a better half. He had introduced me with many of our village boys, but none gave me concern. All the boys were unformed, uneducated, or just not to my liking. Namura-san believed I should marry the rich, so he could rest his old bones. I believed, that I needed to flee this forceful match making and find my own warm-heartedness.
When the sun hit its acme, I was rushed to the springs where my mother and grandmother Meiko pampered me trying to prepare me so I was what did they call me, ahh yes "presentable". They laved my until my skin felt like silk, and scrubbed at my hair until it shone like the stars in the sky.
Meiko gave me one of her favorite kimonos; it was the same kimono she wore when she met my grandfather. Her garbing allowed me to be transformed. When I presented myself to Namura, he could only smile and bow politely, too proud a man to show his tears of satisfaction. He cuffed my cheek and told me that I was more beautiful then the sakura flower itself. Namura laughed and said, any samurai that turned you away, was blinded by his thirst for blood and could not see the angel that stood before them. I could only try to confine my blushing.
As we promenaded the streets, many of the young men turned their heads to gaze upon me. I had never felt more like a specimen of a scientist; it felt like I wasn't a person, but a possession that all the men wanted. My mother had always told me, of women who sold themselves money, she told me, she would rather die and the knees of the American soldiers then ever sell herself.
A few of the young men even sang and whooped at me, speaking slang Japanese saying I was an easy target for dishonoring, I was too young and innocent to resist the arms of a strong man. I scowled at them and shouted back that they would perish stonyhearted ill minded virgins who would die begging for even the smallest chips of food. They instantly clamed themselves, unaware that a girl myself was educated. Gratefully, I came from a family where my father believed I should be a literate, and that I am.
Finally we arrived at the next candidate's house. He lived in a fairly large home, roomy and spacious. He had much livestock and fields, which impressed my father besides being a government official. Namura was and always would be a strong salesman, always wanting profit so his children would not struggle like he once did.
At first, I hid behind my mother and Meiko, but they eagerly pushed me to the front and gestured I should knock on the door. I brought up the knocker and gave two gentle knocks; a few moments later a servant opened the door. That servant looked no older than I, and her eyes screamed pain; in the back of my mind I wondered if she had been dishonored.
The servant could see I was searching her soul through her eyes. As she brought us to the hall, she squeezed my hand and whispered to me so no one else could hear. She said, the young master was not the one who dishonored her, but the father, he was a senile man. She said, that I should love the young master and need not worry of the father. She told me, the father had many women, and I was safe. The father beckoned for the servant and she disappeared quickly.
I sat down on the couch as the father had instructed me to do so. Namura and this man shook hands and spoke of business for moments, and the mother spoke to Meiko and Mama about the fabrics embedded within my kimono. I was left alone, within my only little domain on the couch, and I just quietly sipped at my green tea.
After the two families had caught up with the idol chitchat, the father introduced himself to me. He told me his name was Ginta Matsurra, but I should only call him Ginta or Sensei depending upon the conversation we were in. The mother introduced herself as Yuma. Yuma seemed pleasant; her eyes radiated much happiness and joy. She seemed to be at self-peace. Ginta, seemed a little stern, his face worn from the many business encounters he had.
They spoke to me about my education. They found it very enlightening that a young girl like myself had knowledge. They asked me what I knew. I told them I knew mathematics, literature, but by far my caliber was in biology. The couple told me that their son would be well fitted with a girl who had a good head on her shoulders.
After more babble of preparation and higher achy Ginta clapped his hands calling in the servant girl. He told the servant girl to fetch the boy, or I should say my soon to be finance.
Meiko and Mother sat impatiently, excited to see the boy. My father sat calmly. I sat staring at my hands that were folded in my lap. Father seemed positive that this would be the proper man for me, and it looked like no amount of negotiation could get me out of this one.
The father spoke calling to his son. He stood up and placed his hand around his boy who was blushing.
"This is my son, Shinamori Aoshi. Aoshi son, meet your future bride..."
I looked up and for the first time really gazed at Aoshi. He seemed to be, maybe a year advanced than I was. He was dressed formally, in black pants and turtleneck, over the turtleneck was an off-brown jacket with red borders. Aoshi's hair was an untamed black that's length fell just a little past his eyes tied up with a bandana with our nations flag painted on it. His eyes, his eyes were a deep green and they seemed to illuminate the whole room. He stared at me, for a long time he stared at me, and I drifted my eyes away.
He smiled and he walked over to me. He knelt down on one knee; I then realized how tall he seemed. He took my hand gently from my lap and shook it gently.
"It is a pleasure to meet you." I tilted my head back towards him and forced myself to let out a smile. I bowed to him mildly.
"The pleasure is mine. It is indeed an honor to meet a young sire." For a moment, his eyes seemed to distress and he shook his head slightly. Both our parents agreed it was time to let us two get acquainted, so Aoshi took me to the garden, taking my hand and leading the way.
From behind I scoffed at him, him leading the way like I was an infant. Although I honestly did not know where I was going, I could still walk beside him instead of behind him. Man always put themselves higher then women. He was not proving to be so admirable. But the night was young.
He seated me on a garden bench and he sat down beside me. For a while he stared at the stars, as if trying to see beyond them, like a whole other world laid father away.
"The stars, you remind me of the stars" He said quietly, his eyes still fixed on the brilliant fall sky.
"How so?" I asked him softly,
"You glow with pride and honor. You have such self-assurance in yourself you seem to fear nothing. The stars, they shine like that as well. They shine so bright, and they keep shining bright until the very last moments of their existence. Your black hair is like the sky itself, velvety and alluring. Your eyes, are like the moon, large and filled with many mysteries." He picks at a flower growing on a stake. "It is said, that the eyes are the gateways to our very souls. But why is it, when I look into yours, I only see my own reflection?" Aoshi turned taking the flower and cuffing it under a tuft of my hair smiling.
"You see your own reflection, for my soul is that, it reflects others. I am not my own being, for I hold endearment to many people. In my eyes, you see my father. In my eyes you see Grandmother Meiko, Grandfather Karachi, my dog Kip, and my brother Tai."
"So do you not love yourself then? Why else are you not in your eyes?"
"You cannot love someone you do not know yes? I may be blossoming to womanhood, now 17, but that does not mean I fully know who I am. You could say I am a businessman's daughter. You could say I am a mere schoolgirl or rich collector. I am indeed those things, but there is so much more to me than that."
"Then tell me who you are"
"That is the uncertainty of life. As you start one life you search for yourself, and when that lifetime is over, and you begin your second, you live your second life. First you search, then you live."
Aoshi nodded "I see. You are indeed a smart one, I never thought of life that way. I understand if you do not know yourself. I now doubt if I know myself like I think I do"
I take his hand shaking my head "No, do not doubt yourself. Only you can know you the best. I am, how do you say, different. I am not one who easily follows the path that others have ridden. If you know who you are, that is good, very good, but there is always more time to explore. You just know more about yourself then I do."
"So you say that I know a lot about myself, more than you do. So that is good, but in life we are always still searching to learn more?"
I smiled and nodded quickly "Yes, that is it exactly!"
He laughed and brushed my cheek. "You are indeed a gem. Your parents must be so proud"
I laughed "Ah yeas, how they love to show me off and gallivant the town like I am one's possession and not a being. It is like I am a china doll forever on display in the local market shelves."
Aoshi frowned "It is not all that bad is it?"
I shook my head once more "Of course not. I love my family more then the sun and stars, and nothing will ever change that. They love me as well, but sometimes I wish, that I did not live in this style or tone. I seek, more independence and freedom, but am forever bound to serve a man."
He frowned once more "If we are to wed, do know that I do not wish for you to serve me. I want you to love me, for the very man I am, and the very man I am becoming. No riches in the world compare to the devotion one gives to the other half if they're truly bound. Do you understand that?"
I nodded my head slowly, finding my fingers rested on the seika flower he had given me.
"Indeed I do. We seem to have the same understanding."
Aoshi looked at the pound as the moon reflected itself onto the water
"I am unsettled in a sort. Forceful marriage picked out by parents does not seem just. Love isn't determined by bloodline or heritage, neither the amount of money in the bank either. I was dysphonic." He looked to me taking both my hands "It is not you who I dislike, do cognize that. I think the idea is barbaric, but when I saw you, it seemed like it didn't matter."
I looked down at our hands blushing. I did not meet his gaze. For a while it became clear, that even if we did not endear the other, we would still be forced to marry. It was so odd. I had known this from the start, but now it just seemed to finally be sinking in. This was the man I would be with for the rest of my life.
"Aoshi?"
"Yes?"
"Our parents have arranged this marriage, and though we both disapprove, is there a chance, that we could ever love each other?"
He was silent for a moment, although it had appeared like it was an eternity. He then kissed my forehead with a hint of passion and looked into my eyes.
"With all do time, I think there are chances for everyone. But, when we meet again, I do not wish to be this formal. I want to be, more myself, as they say. I feel so uptight, and I want to relax. It will be easier, with our parents not around." His grin was so warm and docile. I could only nod again. Shinamori then, took me into his arms burying his face against my neck. My eyes widened in shock, for I felt him shaking, like he was, crying. "I'm sorry, I am just, perplexed. Everything about our marriage seems so wrong and yet you are so beautiful and ravishing. I do not know, if I am capable of living up to the man that you want your husband to be."
My eyes only widened more listening to his words, never once had someone cared about what I thought or felt. My emotions were never factors in decisions my parents made. My hands slowly rapped themselves around his back and one crept its way up to his hair were I played with it softly trying to coo him like a child. For moments, he calmed still stifling his tears.
"Aoshi, although this night is nearly done, and we have only just met, you have proved yourself to me time and time again. Never once has any man, or any person in general had ever considered my feelings. You genuinely care, and that is already so much more then I deserve. Do not worry; I just hope I can prove myself to you. Our engagement is short lived, we only have a moon's full cycle till our special day, but I want to know you for the man that you are. I want to know what's inside"
He lifts his head up, still tear logged, but with a sense of confusion.
"What is on the inside?"
"Yes" I rested my head on his chest listening to his heartbeat. "I want to know, what makes this heart of your beat. What makes you tick? I want to know what you feel, and not what your father forces you to feel."
I could feel Aoshi's hands slide down my shoulder blades and rest near my waist as he held me close. He rested his head atop of mine and I could feel him smiling. At this moment, we finally seemed at ease. The two of us, who barely knew the other, were truly at an understanding of each other, as it we'd known the other all our lives.
Our moment was cut short by the sound of shrieks and screams. We jerked our heads up looking back over to Aoshi's estate.
"Aoshi what's going on?"
We stood up quickly and ran over the mansion. From the courtyard, we could see flames were engulfing the house.
"Mother? Father? Meiko?" We both ran inside screaming helplessly for our parents. We saw the servants running around disoriented shrieking with terror.
We heard one scream, "It is the Imperialist Samurais! They've come to shut down the government! Nowhere is safe anymore! Run and flea!" and then the servant fell dead as a sword appeared through her chest and a fountain of blood sprayed the floor. That had been the servant girl who had spoken to me before. For a moment, I stared at her bloodied body, and felt myself fill with such sorrow. I wanted to scream and yell for my mother.
We looked up to see a samurai standing before us.
His red hair waved with the wind and he seemed to glow with the pits of hell wrapping around him with the fire's flames. On his left cheek was a cross-shaped scar and behind him, we saw the corpses of our parents.
"You monster!" Aoshi screamed standing before this samurai. "Tell us your name you man slayer."
He grinned with a fire in his eyes, he was insane I tell you. He seemed to thrive upon the smell of blood and the glory of the fight.
"I am Hitokiri Batosi."
I covered my mouth in fear. I had heard many rumors about this man. This man was said to never lose a fight, and never lose his cool. One swing of his sword could pierce you right in the heart and you would fall instantly dead. He never lost a beat, and never once loved another. It said he had gone mad because he lost his family at a young age. The scar was rumored to be from a couple he had killed early on.
Aoshi prepared himself to fight the Batosi. But I dashed in front of him gasping with panic and fear and held my arms out at my sides.
"You shall not kill this man Batosi. You have already killed your love, it does not mean I must have mine murdered."
I am not sure who was more surprised, Aoshi, or the manslayer. The manslayer stumbled back, as if my words had hit his soul. He only then began to laugh, a small laugh that grew into a maniacal one.
"What could you, a petty businessmen's daughter do?"
I saw a sword hanging over the fireplace and I quickly snatched it from its base and stood in my stance.
"You are oblivious to who I am. I am not just some petty girl. I am Anju Akira. I am the only student under Hiko to master the Hiten Mitserugi Style other then you, Hitokiri Batosi."
The Batosi stood in shock, and then just shook his head.
"Hiko had no other apprentice then I."
"You are older then I. I came to him after you were long gone and began your MANSLAYER Slaughtering! I am his real daughter! I am a lover's child and I came to him. That man and woman on the floor you killed, those two were left to tend to me, they raised me and saved me. They tried to keep me away from the swords, knowing my dormant talents would one day awaken, and then I'd go looking for you and Hiko." The manslayer looked at my parents on the bloodstained floor and watched as the support beams above us slowly fell to the floor still cindering and flaming.
"You are...Hiko's daughter?" He turned to me, still in disbelief
"Yes, I am Hiko's daughter. He denies this fact, because he did not even know I was alive. He had abandoned my mother, and never knew I was actually born. I came to him, with proof; blood tests, birth certificates the works. For a while, I stayed with him, and he agreed to train me. He told me, he had failed as a father, and he could at least be victorious as a sensei.
Batosi. If you even dare lay a hand upon Lord Aoshi. I will kill you myself, and watch slowly as the blood pours from your wounds. Do you wish to die tonight, under the light of the orange scared moon?"
Batosi withdrew his sword, placing it back in its sheath.
"You are indeed a brave one Anju but I must flea. The police are arriving." He disappeared into the shadows but still echoed out calling to us "But know Anju, I will kill you, and I will kill your husband Aoshi as well." Then he was gone, and the room was only filled with the sounds of crackling flames and wood.
More the ceiling collapsed and Aoshi grabbed my hand.
"Anju, this home is no longer safe."
"But...our parents"
'I'm sorry Anju they are long gone. But they would still want us to make it out alive."
With that he scooped me up into his arms and ran out of the estate, just to watch it collapse. He looked away closing his eyes staring at the ground.
"Mother...father...I am, so sorry" he grimaced as he spoke his final words goodbye. I only lay in his arms clutching onto his shirt crying.
He ran us to the stables where he mounted a black horse. He was working silently preparing the horse for our long ride to where ever we were going. He took my hand and helped me up. Suddenly I realized something horrible.
"Aoshi, we have to go back to home?"
"Why we must flea this is imperialist target zones now."
"Tai! We have to find my brother Tai! He is still at my manor"
Aoshi looked at me sternly, but softened seeing the current of tears falling from my eyes. I mounted the horse and we took off. I only prayed that Tai and Kip were safe. I could only fear the worse, and my heart felt heavy. There was no time to morn the loss of my parents, if I could, I would save Tai.
End
Author's Note
Well there is the end of my first fan fiction for Rurouni Kenshin. I hope you all liked it. I'll try to be more descriptive in my next chapter and work on the "showing not telling" thing my sister keeps coaching me about. Anyway, please read and review. Ciao
Yeah I own nothing. This is my first Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fic. This story is fictional and does not follow the Rurouni Kenshin story lines like the TV Show or anything. This is about the god of Rurouni Kenshin Lord Aoshi! ((Applause and Whoops)) and his first love Anju. I hope you enjoy! (
Introduction
The night, I remember that night sky. There was only darkness; it was like the pits of hell. I dismissed the idea that there was a storm; the sky was dense with smoke. I rode on the back of a black stallion praying that I could see the sun shine once more. I mark that night as one that I shall never forget; the night my youth was stricken from me, and the world, as I knew it expired.
My mother told me, that our experience in this world, our very lives and existence, are planned out for us. Fate and destiny often intertwined themselves. She told me, everything happened for a reason, and that a reason was not always needed to explain the event either.
I wonder if that fire.... had a reason.
Chapter 1 Meeting
That day, my mother said, was going to be the best day in my life. After the morning chores I would never be the same girl again. I paid no mind to her, and gallivanted the rice fields whistling as I went, blissfully unaware of what awaited for me with the next new sun.
Kip, my dog, walked at my feet waiting in a thirstily manner, hoping that I may drop a few rice crumbs from him to lick up from the soft copious ground at my feet, and of course I always did. My mother would scold me, saying it was unorthodox for a dog to live in such a lap of luxury, as we were the people who worked in the fields, yet a mongrel like Kip could eat like a sire. I only laughed clean-handedly and continued with chores. I loved the rice fields for it seemed I could be swallowed up, engulfed by the tall stalks around me, melting away, so I no longer had to be seen.
My father, Namura-san, now believed I had "come to age" and it was time for him to find me a better half. He had introduced me with many of our village boys, but none gave me concern. All the boys were unformed, uneducated, or just not to my liking. Namura-san believed I should marry the rich, so he could rest his old bones. I believed, that I needed to flee this forceful match making and find my own warm-heartedness.
When the sun hit its acme, I was rushed to the springs where my mother and grandmother Meiko pampered me trying to prepare me so I was what did they call me, ahh yes "presentable". They laved my until my skin felt like silk, and scrubbed at my hair until it shone like the stars in the sky.
Meiko gave me one of her favorite kimonos; it was the same kimono she wore when she met my grandfather. Her garbing allowed me to be transformed. When I presented myself to Namura, he could only smile and bow politely, too proud a man to show his tears of satisfaction. He cuffed my cheek and told me that I was more beautiful then the sakura flower itself. Namura laughed and said, any samurai that turned you away, was blinded by his thirst for blood and could not see the angel that stood before them. I could only try to confine my blushing.
As we promenaded the streets, many of the young men turned their heads to gaze upon me. I had never felt more like a specimen of a scientist; it felt like I wasn't a person, but a possession that all the men wanted. My mother had always told me, of women who sold themselves money, she told me, she would rather die and the knees of the American soldiers then ever sell herself.
A few of the young men even sang and whooped at me, speaking slang Japanese saying I was an easy target for dishonoring, I was too young and innocent to resist the arms of a strong man. I scowled at them and shouted back that they would perish stonyhearted ill minded virgins who would die begging for even the smallest chips of food. They instantly clamed themselves, unaware that a girl myself was educated. Gratefully, I came from a family where my father believed I should be a literate, and that I am.
Finally we arrived at the next candidate's house. He lived in a fairly large home, roomy and spacious. He had much livestock and fields, which impressed my father besides being a government official. Namura was and always would be a strong salesman, always wanting profit so his children would not struggle like he once did.
At first, I hid behind my mother and Meiko, but they eagerly pushed me to the front and gestured I should knock on the door. I brought up the knocker and gave two gentle knocks; a few moments later a servant opened the door. That servant looked no older than I, and her eyes screamed pain; in the back of my mind I wondered if she had been dishonored.
The servant could see I was searching her soul through her eyes. As she brought us to the hall, she squeezed my hand and whispered to me so no one else could hear. She said, the young master was not the one who dishonored her, but the father, he was a senile man. She said, that I should love the young master and need not worry of the father. She told me, the father had many women, and I was safe. The father beckoned for the servant and she disappeared quickly.
I sat down on the couch as the father had instructed me to do so. Namura and this man shook hands and spoke of business for moments, and the mother spoke to Meiko and Mama about the fabrics embedded within my kimono. I was left alone, within my only little domain on the couch, and I just quietly sipped at my green tea.
After the two families had caught up with the idol chitchat, the father introduced himself to me. He told me his name was Ginta Matsurra, but I should only call him Ginta or Sensei depending upon the conversation we were in. The mother introduced herself as Yuma. Yuma seemed pleasant; her eyes radiated much happiness and joy. She seemed to be at self-peace. Ginta, seemed a little stern, his face worn from the many business encounters he had.
They spoke to me about my education. They found it very enlightening that a young girl like myself had knowledge. They asked me what I knew. I told them I knew mathematics, literature, but by far my caliber was in biology. The couple told me that their son would be well fitted with a girl who had a good head on her shoulders.
After more babble of preparation and higher achy Ginta clapped his hands calling in the servant girl. He told the servant girl to fetch the boy, or I should say my soon to be finance.
Meiko and Mother sat impatiently, excited to see the boy. My father sat calmly. I sat staring at my hands that were folded in my lap. Father seemed positive that this would be the proper man for me, and it looked like no amount of negotiation could get me out of this one.
The father spoke calling to his son. He stood up and placed his hand around his boy who was blushing.
"This is my son, Shinamori Aoshi. Aoshi son, meet your future bride..."
I looked up and for the first time really gazed at Aoshi. He seemed to be, maybe a year advanced than I was. He was dressed formally, in black pants and turtleneck, over the turtleneck was an off-brown jacket with red borders. Aoshi's hair was an untamed black that's length fell just a little past his eyes tied up with a bandana with our nations flag painted on it. His eyes, his eyes were a deep green and they seemed to illuminate the whole room. He stared at me, for a long time he stared at me, and I drifted my eyes away.
He smiled and he walked over to me. He knelt down on one knee; I then realized how tall he seemed. He took my hand gently from my lap and shook it gently.
"It is a pleasure to meet you." I tilted my head back towards him and forced myself to let out a smile. I bowed to him mildly.
"The pleasure is mine. It is indeed an honor to meet a young sire." For a moment, his eyes seemed to distress and he shook his head slightly. Both our parents agreed it was time to let us two get acquainted, so Aoshi took me to the garden, taking my hand and leading the way.
From behind I scoffed at him, him leading the way like I was an infant. Although I honestly did not know where I was going, I could still walk beside him instead of behind him. Man always put themselves higher then women. He was not proving to be so admirable. But the night was young.
He seated me on a garden bench and he sat down beside me. For a while he stared at the stars, as if trying to see beyond them, like a whole other world laid father away.
"The stars, you remind me of the stars" He said quietly, his eyes still fixed on the brilliant fall sky.
"How so?" I asked him softly,
"You glow with pride and honor. You have such self-assurance in yourself you seem to fear nothing. The stars, they shine like that as well. They shine so bright, and they keep shining bright until the very last moments of their existence. Your black hair is like the sky itself, velvety and alluring. Your eyes, are like the moon, large and filled with many mysteries." He picks at a flower growing on a stake. "It is said, that the eyes are the gateways to our very souls. But why is it, when I look into yours, I only see my own reflection?" Aoshi turned taking the flower and cuffing it under a tuft of my hair smiling.
"You see your own reflection, for my soul is that, it reflects others. I am not my own being, for I hold endearment to many people. In my eyes, you see my father. In my eyes you see Grandmother Meiko, Grandfather Karachi, my dog Kip, and my brother Tai."
"So do you not love yourself then? Why else are you not in your eyes?"
"You cannot love someone you do not know yes? I may be blossoming to womanhood, now 17, but that does not mean I fully know who I am. You could say I am a businessman's daughter. You could say I am a mere schoolgirl or rich collector. I am indeed those things, but there is so much more to me than that."
"Then tell me who you are"
"That is the uncertainty of life. As you start one life you search for yourself, and when that lifetime is over, and you begin your second, you live your second life. First you search, then you live."
Aoshi nodded "I see. You are indeed a smart one, I never thought of life that way. I understand if you do not know yourself. I now doubt if I know myself like I think I do"
I take his hand shaking my head "No, do not doubt yourself. Only you can know you the best. I am, how do you say, different. I am not one who easily follows the path that others have ridden. If you know who you are, that is good, very good, but there is always more time to explore. You just know more about yourself then I do."
"So you say that I know a lot about myself, more than you do. So that is good, but in life we are always still searching to learn more?"
I smiled and nodded quickly "Yes, that is it exactly!"
He laughed and brushed my cheek. "You are indeed a gem. Your parents must be so proud"
I laughed "Ah yeas, how they love to show me off and gallivant the town like I am one's possession and not a being. It is like I am a china doll forever on display in the local market shelves."
Aoshi frowned "It is not all that bad is it?"
I shook my head once more "Of course not. I love my family more then the sun and stars, and nothing will ever change that. They love me as well, but sometimes I wish, that I did not live in this style or tone. I seek, more independence and freedom, but am forever bound to serve a man."
He frowned once more "If we are to wed, do know that I do not wish for you to serve me. I want you to love me, for the very man I am, and the very man I am becoming. No riches in the world compare to the devotion one gives to the other half if they're truly bound. Do you understand that?"
I nodded my head slowly, finding my fingers rested on the seika flower he had given me.
"Indeed I do. We seem to have the same understanding."
Aoshi looked at the pound as the moon reflected itself onto the water
"I am unsettled in a sort. Forceful marriage picked out by parents does not seem just. Love isn't determined by bloodline or heritage, neither the amount of money in the bank either. I was dysphonic." He looked to me taking both my hands "It is not you who I dislike, do cognize that. I think the idea is barbaric, but when I saw you, it seemed like it didn't matter."
I looked down at our hands blushing. I did not meet his gaze. For a while it became clear, that even if we did not endear the other, we would still be forced to marry. It was so odd. I had known this from the start, but now it just seemed to finally be sinking in. This was the man I would be with for the rest of my life.
"Aoshi?"
"Yes?"
"Our parents have arranged this marriage, and though we both disapprove, is there a chance, that we could ever love each other?"
He was silent for a moment, although it had appeared like it was an eternity. He then kissed my forehead with a hint of passion and looked into my eyes.
"With all do time, I think there are chances for everyone. But, when we meet again, I do not wish to be this formal. I want to be, more myself, as they say. I feel so uptight, and I want to relax. It will be easier, with our parents not around." His grin was so warm and docile. I could only nod again. Shinamori then, took me into his arms burying his face against my neck. My eyes widened in shock, for I felt him shaking, like he was, crying. "I'm sorry, I am just, perplexed. Everything about our marriage seems so wrong and yet you are so beautiful and ravishing. I do not know, if I am capable of living up to the man that you want your husband to be."
My eyes only widened more listening to his words, never once had someone cared about what I thought or felt. My emotions were never factors in decisions my parents made. My hands slowly rapped themselves around his back and one crept its way up to his hair were I played with it softly trying to coo him like a child. For moments, he calmed still stifling his tears.
"Aoshi, although this night is nearly done, and we have only just met, you have proved yourself to me time and time again. Never once has any man, or any person in general had ever considered my feelings. You genuinely care, and that is already so much more then I deserve. Do not worry; I just hope I can prove myself to you. Our engagement is short lived, we only have a moon's full cycle till our special day, but I want to know you for the man that you are. I want to know what's inside"
He lifts his head up, still tear logged, but with a sense of confusion.
"What is on the inside?"
"Yes" I rested my head on his chest listening to his heartbeat. "I want to know, what makes this heart of your beat. What makes you tick? I want to know what you feel, and not what your father forces you to feel."
I could feel Aoshi's hands slide down my shoulder blades and rest near my waist as he held me close. He rested his head atop of mine and I could feel him smiling. At this moment, we finally seemed at ease. The two of us, who barely knew the other, were truly at an understanding of each other, as it we'd known the other all our lives.
Our moment was cut short by the sound of shrieks and screams. We jerked our heads up looking back over to Aoshi's estate.
"Aoshi what's going on?"
We stood up quickly and ran over the mansion. From the courtyard, we could see flames were engulfing the house.
"Mother? Father? Meiko?" We both ran inside screaming helplessly for our parents. We saw the servants running around disoriented shrieking with terror.
We heard one scream, "It is the Imperialist Samurais! They've come to shut down the government! Nowhere is safe anymore! Run and flea!" and then the servant fell dead as a sword appeared through her chest and a fountain of blood sprayed the floor. That had been the servant girl who had spoken to me before. For a moment, I stared at her bloodied body, and felt myself fill with such sorrow. I wanted to scream and yell for my mother.
We looked up to see a samurai standing before us.
His red hair waved with the wind and he seemed to glow with the pits of hell wrapping around him with the fire's flames. On his left cheek was a cross-shaped scar and behind him, we saw the corpses of our parents.
"You monster!" Aoshi screamed standing before this samurai. "Tell us your name you man slayer."
He grinned with a fire in his eyes, he was insane I tell you. He seemed to thrive upon the smell of blood and the glory of the fight.
"I am Hitokiri Batosi."
I covered my mouth in fear. I had heard many rumors about this man. This man was said to never lose a fight, and never lose his cool. One swing of his sword could pierce you right in the heart and you would fall instantly dead. He never lost a beat, and never once loved another. It said he had gone mad because he lost his family at a young age. The scar was rumored to be from a couple he had killed early on.
Aoshi prepared himself to fight the Batosi. But I dashed in front of him gasping with panic and fear and held my arms out at my sides.
"You shall not kill this man Batosi. You have already killed your love, it does not mean I must have mine murdered."
I am not sure who was more surprised, Aoshi, or the manslayer. The manslayer stumbled back, as if my words had hit his soul. He only then began to laugh, a small laugh that grew into a maniacal one.
"What could you, a petty businessmen's daughter do?"
I saw a sword hanging over the fireplace and I quickly snatched it from its base and stood in my stance.
"You are oblivious to who I am. I am not just some petty girl. I am Anju Akira. I am the only student under Hiko to master the Hiten Mitserugi Style other then you, Hitokiri Batosi."
The Batosi stood in shock, and then just shook his head.
"Hiko had no other apprentice then I."
"You are older then I. I came to him after you were long gone and began your MANSLAYER Slaughtering! I am his real daughter! I am a lover's child and I came to him. That man and woman on the floor you killed, those two were left to tend to me, they raised me and saved me. They tried to keep me away from the swords, knowing my dormant talents would one day awaken, and then I'd go looking for you and Hiko." The manslayer looked at my parents on the bloodstained floor and watched as the support beams above us slowly fell to the floor still cindering and flaming.
"You are...Hiko's daughter?" He turned to me, still in disbelief
"Yes, I am Hiko's daughter. He denies this fact, because he did not even know I was alive. He had abandoned my mother, and never knew I was actually born. I came to him, with proof; blood tests, birth certificates the works. For a while, I stayed with him, and he agreed to train me. He told me, he had failed as a father, and he could at least be victorious as a sensei.
Batosi. If you even dare lay a hand upon Lord Aoshi. I will kill you myself, and watch slowly as the blood pours from your wounds. Do you wish to die tonight, under the light of the orange scared moon?"
Batosi withdrew his sword, placing it back in its sheath.
"You are indeed a brave one Anju but I must flea. The police are arriving." He disappeared into the shadows but still echoed out calling to us "But know Anju, I will kill you, and I will kill your husband Aoshi as well." Then he was gone, and the room was only filled with the sounds of crackling flames and wood.
More the ceiling collapsed and Aoshi grabbed my hand.
"Anju, this home is no longer safe."
"But...our parents"
'I'm sorry Anju they are long gone. But they would still want us to make it out alive."
With that he scooped me up into his arms and ran out of the estate, just to watch it collapse. He looked away closing his eyes staring at the ground.
"Mother...father...I am, so sorry" he grimaced as he spoke his final words goodbye. I only lay in his arms clutching onto his shirt crying.
He ran us to the stables where he mounted a black horse. He was working silently preparing the horse for our long ride to where ever we were going. He took my hand and helped me up. Suddenly I realized something horrible.
"Aoshi, we have to go back to home?"
"Why we must flea this is imperialist target zones now."
"Tai! We have to find my brother Tai! He is still at my manor"
Aoshi looked at me sternly, but softened seeing the current of tears falling from my eyes. I mounted the horse and we took off. I only prayed that Tai and Kip were safe. I could only fear the worse, and my heart felt heavy. There was no time to morn the loss of my parents, if I could, I would save Tai.
End
Author's Note
Well there is the end of my first fan fiction for Rurouni Kenshin. I hope you all liked it. I'll try to be more descriptive in my next chapter and work on the "showing not telling" thing my sister keeps coaching me about. Anyway, please read and review. Ciao