I'm sulking a little as I post this. This isn't the most perfect of chapters, but I do realize a writer owes it to her readers (no matter the number) to update her work. Bleh. I just hope this is decent enough. Heh.
Replies to Reviewers
Nekotsuki: You like my story title? Ah, jeez, it was really spontaneous. I was staring at the blank title box for the longest of time. I don't even know where the inspiration came from. Heh. As for the color of his amber eyes, hmm, we'll find out soon enough, won't we:D Thank you!
gabyhyatt: Thank you!
xZig-zagx: Thank you thank you. I made it short to test what kind of response I might get. Heh:D It is my first fan fiction here, that you must remember.
s0nic: Ah, I dreaded reading yours the most. Not when you belongto the grammar police force. Hope this chapter is marginally acceptable for you. Sigh. But thanks for reading anyway!
Summary: Kenshin once promised to protect his family from all danger and harm. When he faces a dire situation involving matters of life and death, would the rurouni-cum-husband-cum-father give the ultimate sacrifice?
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. I just own the plot, as unoriginal and clichéd as it may be.
Disclaimer is now applicable to every chapter hereafter.
Sessha Promised You, Koishii
by: sRoze
A flash of white light…
A metallic gleam…
A contorted expression…
A soundless scream…
No, no, no… He is not dead! He cannot be…
Wake up, my love… Don't sleep anymore… Just open your eyes, and smile… I want to see your beautiful smile again…
Please, koishii, I beg you… don't leave me… You promised… Don't die…
. : Chapter Two: Contentment : .
It was a morning like any other. But perhaps a sprinkle of magical dust had settled upon the world, for all of a sudden Kaoru Kamiya thought she knew what perfection in life meant.
The breeze stirred the leaves of nearby trees, and around her slipper-less feet. She sat on the porch of her beloved dojo, sipping the tea she just brewed. Leaves rustled prettily. The wind chime tinkled softly.
The world was beautiful at that moment. Kaoru had never felt so acutely aware of nature's little things. Maybe it was the magical dust. She was able to sense every movement the flowers made, every ripple on the pond nearby. When she inhaled the crisp morning air smelled of fragrance from the blooming flowers around.
She felt in sync with nature. She was in peace with herself. Life had never seemed so perfect, so blissful. Of course, she mused, how could life NOT be perfect with…
Loud peels of laughter shook her out of the early morning reverie. She looked up and caught a glimpse of glistening auburn hair over the low wall. Moments later, the owner of the red hair appeared, clasping the tiny hand of a small boy. The resemblance between them was clear.
Short stubby arms reached out to the beaming, taller redhead. "Papa, again! Again!"
"All right, then!" He scooped the little boy in one swift move and threw him up in the air. He caught the child perfectly in his strong arms. The boy squealed in childish delight.
"Higher, Papa! Higher!"
Kaoru stood, smiling as she looked lovingly at the sight before her. Their laughter instantly brightened up her already-beautiful day. They seemed indulged in their little game, oblivious to the woman watching them nearby.
Then, she called out. "Kenshin, Kenji!"
Kenshin Himura turned, surprised. Then, he broke into a warm smile. "Ohaiyo, Kaoru-koishii."
"Mama!" The boy jumped out of his father's hands and ran towards Kaoru's inviting arms. "Mama!"
"Kenji-chan woke up very early today, yes?" She laughed, holding the bundle of energy close to her bosom.
"Papa… papa," Kenji gestured for Kenshin who was walking towards them.
"Ah, yes. I took him out for a morning swim by the river. I promise Kenji-chan I would teach him how to swim one day." He reached Kaoru, the gentle smile she adored never once leaving his face. "Yes, little one?" said Kenshin, touching the outstretched fingers.
"Papa! I want to fly!"
"No more flying, Kenji-chan!" Kaoru interrupted, alarmed. She faced Kenshin with a stern, motherly look. "Kenshin, you know it's dangerous to throw him around like that! What if you didn't catch him properly? What if he slipped and fell?"
Kenshin's hand reached behind his head sheepishly. He didn't think reminding his wife about his famed deftness and speed would convince her otherwise. So instead, he said apologetically: "Sumanu de gozaru yo, but he likes it…"
"And you shall not spoil this boy!" Kaoru shook her head in mock anger as she let Kenji down. The child immediately began pursuing a yellowish-orange butterfly fluttering in the garden, a happy grin plastered on his innocent face.
Kenshin walked to the porch. "Yes, yes. Hmm, you made tea. I must have told him too many stories just now. That boy's a handful." He quietly poured himself a cup, and sat down on the edge.
Kaoru joined him at his left. "He simply adores you, Kenshin. You are a good father… and husband." She smiled wistfully.
And anata, you are the loveliest mother and wife a child and his papa could ever hope for. Kenshin mirrored her smile, saying nothing of the thought that crossed his mind. She really is beautiful, he thought, taking in the smooth curves of her face. Her raven hair danced to the rhythm of the breeze. She drew a slender hand to push a few stray strands behind her ear, all this while keeping her watchful gaze on the running Kenji.
Kenshin suppressed the urge to reach over and kiss her. Instead, he placed his left hand on top of her small ones. Kaoru startled and looked at him. Round sapphire eyes met clear amethyst orbs. He smiled. She smiled back. That was enough. It was all that was needed; words weren't necessary.
They loved one other enough to understand the thoughts that were left unsaid. They had been through so much. So much that at a point, they both felt that giving up was easier than trudging through the emotional battle.
He remembered how he had almost lost control of himself when Udo Jin-e kidnapped Kaoru. Only Kaoru was able to prevent the gentle Kenshin Himura from turning into the fearsome Hitokiri Battousai again. He had loved her even more then, even if he himself was not aware of it.
Then there was the time when he did realized he had fallen for her. He was so afraid, knowing that the hands that held her were stained by thousand people's blood. How could he be so selfish to taint such purity and innocence that is Kaoru?
But more than anything, he was afraid of breaking the fragile memory of a certain woman who, with her love and sacrifice, helped him see the beauty of the world and there beyond.
And so he chose to walk away from Kaoru, unwittingly causing the two more grief than relief.
"Kenshin, don't do this. Please, I care for you… a lot." A pause, then hot tears flowed. "Aishiteru, baka!"
"Kenshin, what are you smiling at?"
A faint "oro" escaped him. His wife was staring quizzically at him.
"Ah-hahaha, nothing, nothing!"
Kaoru's softened stare lingered. She loved his left profile the most, especially the cross scar that helped changed Battousai into the man she now knew and so loved.
She reached out and cupped his cheek with her left hand. Every scar from his past served to remind her how human and imperfect he is. But still she loved him with every corner of her tiny heart.
Kenshin.
His right hand moved to hold her left. Their fingers intertwined. Kenshin leaned and planted a light kiss on her forehead. A faint tinge of pink colored her ivory cheeks.
Kaoru, Kaoru. She was pure, kind, and giving. Her generous and compassionate nature made her the perfect candidate for motherhood. Although, he remembered with an inward smile, she did have a quick temper once. In his brushes with death, and there had been plenty, it had always been the thought of Kaoru's innocent face that forced him to cling onto survival. He had to live, even if it was just to see her again.
Kaoru.
A fire of mixed feelings flamed in him. The memories of his wanderer days invaded his mind. He had felt so alone in the world then. So dark, so lonely. Now, he had Kaoru and Kenji, the two people whom he treasured and cherished the most. Never in his dreams had he dared to hope for such bliss and contentment in life. But now he had it, and Kenshin felt like crying and laughing at the same time.
Kaoru sensed the change in her husband's aura. Her grip tightened on his hand. "Kenshin?"
"It's nothing, koishii. I am just thinking."
"About us?" Kaoru guessed, meaning Kenshin and her.
"No, about you. And Kenji." He lowered his head. "I remember how cold and dark nights could be when I was still a rurouni. How the bright stars seemed so distant and the moon was never warm." He paused with a smile. "Then I think about now. I have you and Kenji. I don't feel lost anymore. It's as if night can be a beautiful thing too when you have people to share it with."
Kaoru knocked his head lightly, startling him. "Kenshin no baka," she teased. "It's morning now. Why are you thinking about night?" Her thumb made little circles on Kenshin's palm. Then, seriously she added: "But you're right. You are not lost anymore. You have a family now… Us."
Kenshin's endearing smile lit up his face. He turned his eyes towards the toddler squatting near a flowerbed. The little boy has the same shade of auburn hair and the exact same beam as him. But his smile certainly came from his mother: calm, inspiring.
A hand stroked his long mane fondly. The red thick hair cascaded down in a curly ponytail, its fiery color a reflection of the owner's own samurai personality.
Kenshin beamed easily at Kaoru. He liked the feel of her hands, even if they might be calloused and flawed from handling swords. They felt soft and gentle, just like her soul.
A loud "Papa! Mama!" made them both turned to Kenji. He held a bright red flower in his tiny hands, and was running towards them. "See?" He showed Kenshin and Kaoru the flower.
"A flower!" Kaoru picked the bouncing boy and placed him on her lap. "Kenji-chan knows this is a flower?"
"Flower?"
"Yes, yes, Kenji-chan. This is a flower." Kaoru pointed to the flower in his hands, her tone reminiscent of the one she used for her students at the dojo.
"Flower!" Then the child's round, curious eyes settled on Kenshin's hair as though thinking. Then, he burst out giggling. Reaching out Kenji gave his papa's long ponytail a rough tug.
"Orrrooooo…."
"Flower!" Kenji squealed delightfully. "Flower!"
"Oh no, Kenji-chan! Papa's hair is red too, but it's not a flower! Gomen ne, Kenshin!" Kaoru looked apologetic. "Now let go, Kenji!"
Three hard tugs. "Flower, flower, flower!"
"Orororoooo…!"
TBC
Japanese-to-English translations:
ohaiyo – good morning
koishii – sweetheart, dear
chan – an honorific
sumanu de gozaru yo – I am sorry, that I truly am
anata – you, dear
hitokiri – a term Manslayer
aishiteru – (you don't know this? Jeez…) I love you
baka – idiot (grins)
oro – It means nothing, really. Just a trademark phrase of old silly Kenshin. It usually indicates surprise, and the way Kenshin says it is very comical!
rurouni – wanderer
dojo – training ground, in this case where Kaoru teaches her Kamiya Kasshin fighting style
gomen – sorry
orororoooo – An extended version of the oro. Murmured in a flat tone, almost always accompanied with swirling eyes.
Additional info:
In the Udo Jin-e incident, Kenshin found himself facing one of the adversaries from his Hitokiri past. Jin-e wanted to fight Battousai, but was disappointed and furious when he realized Battousai is no longer the deadly killer he wanted to combat. Jin-e then kidnapped Kaoru in an effort to provoke the peace-loving Kenshin and turn him back to the Manslayer he once was.
He would have succeeded in the attempt had Kaoru not escape the breathing spell Jin-e cast on her. A single "NO!" was what it took Kaoru to bring Kenshin back to reality, and to the present. This is one of the scenes which subtly showed how strong Kaoru's presence is for Kenshin. Just a single word. That's it. (smiles)
Posted on 16/3/2005 5.00PM
