This chapter is gonna be short, heh. Please remember that this is more to a romance piece than an action/adventure one. I kinda want to focus more on Kenshin and Kaoru's relationship… they're such a sweet couple, ne?
I changed the summary for the story too. I suck in writing summaries Bleh. Maybe because the old one's boring that's why no one comes in and read.:( Or maybe it's in the writing. Or the plot. Anyhow, something is lacking somewhere. Would the few reviewers I have please tell me where I can improve? Wish to develop better writing skills, so I need your help. :)
And yes, you might not see a lot of the Kenshin-gumi in here. This is 'cause I'd like to concentrate on just Kenshin and Kaoru (and baby Kenji!) at the moment. Maybe in my next story, I'll give the other characters more prominent roles, yes?
xZig-zagx: Bambi? Heh! Yeah, it's the scene where Thumper introduced Bambi to the skunk creature, right? Flower :D
Nekotsuki: I'm a hopeless romantic, so I try to keep the romance light and sweet.:) Anyway, for this I won't put in too much angst or anything, since I like thinking of Kenshin and Kaoru being sweet and happy. They deserve it, don't you think:D But that's not to say I don't like angst dramas between Battousai and Kaoru. I just came across linay's "Broken Pieces"… I think most KK/BK fanfic fans have read that already. How can they not? It's so cool:D I read it twice too. Heh.
Summary: A promise to love and care for them, a vow to protect them from harm forever. But if it involves the ultimate sacrifice, can Kenshin hold his words true, or will he break them once more? AU
Sessha Promised You, Koishii
by: sRoze
"Kenshin?"
"It's nothing, koishii. I am just thinking."
"About us?"
"About you. And Kenji. 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."
A pause, 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."
"Kenshin no baka." A light pat on the head. "It's morning now. Why are you thinking about night?"
Delicate fingers tracing a rough palm. "But you're right. You are not lost anymore. You have a family now… Us."
. : Chapter Three: A Promise Made, A Promise Fulfilled : .
They had traveled for days. They took trains to populated cities and walked through unmapped villages. With only the other for company, they finally reached their destination.
Kyoto.
Before them stood a slab of cool hard rock on a mound of sand, its edges smoothened by weather. The inscriptions on it were barely distinguishable, but Kaoru Kamiya figured how they might read:
"Here lies the grave of Yukishiro Tomoe."
Without a word, the two figures kneeled. Kenshin Himura wrapped an arm around his companion's petite waist. Contrasting emotions pounded his heart. Here he was, bringing the woman he now loved to meet the one he used to, and still do in a special way.
He was ready to take a step into the future with Kaoru. But first of all, he had to close the path from his past. The memories though would always be a part of him; no longer recalled with hurt and regret but with warm fuzziness.
He felt the need to get her blessings, but he was certain she would be happy. After all, wasn't she the one who led him to her, and the other way round too?
Tomoe.
What can sessha say? You were the one who brought me out of the sickening scenes of Kyoto, to show me what love was all about. What sadness was to others. What hatred could destroy. Sessha destroyed your happiness, by killing Kiyosato. And again I destroyed your happiness in your knowledge that the one who killed your fiancé was the one whom you were supposedly married to.
Sessha vowed to protect your happiness, and failed you. Sessha still remembers what you said to him as you lay dying, cuddled in his arms. "It's better this way, so please don't cry." Did you know that sessha was going to meet Kaoru-dono? Did you know that your life would be short? Did you know that you would sacrifice yourself to make sure that I'll be all right, even as sessha delivered the last blow?
Tomoe, sessha loved you. Sessha will always love you. You have occupied this special place in my heart. And by your grave and your memory, sessha promises that Kaoru-dono will always be cared and loved for, that she will not go through what you have gone through. And now, sessha will continue spreading the work of love you have started
Sessha will make Kaoru happy, for your sake, for mine, and for hers...
Kaoru closed her eyes. She tried to picture the woman who had sacrificed so much for Kenshin. She could not come up with a clear image, but she took comfort in knowing that Tomoe had given them their blessing. There was never a doubt in her mind that Tomoe had led them to each other. Kaoru knew that Tomoe would be watching them from wherever she may be. An angel, a guardian.
Kenshin stirred, then bowed slightly. Still holding Kaoru by the waist, he pulled them both up. She looked at him, concern evident in her blue eyes. But Kenshin looked relieved, happy even. There was a soft glow on his face, as if a heavy burden was lifted off him. Kaoru smiled as he gazed kindly at her.
"Come on. Let's go."
Tomoe-san...
I... I didn't know what to say to you then. As I knelt in front of your grave with Kenshin beside me, I couldn't help but think. How courageous you have been, how giving of you to give it up for Kenshin so he could continue on with his life. All I knew that I could say was, "Arigato"... Imagine my surprise when Kenshin told me what he said to you.
"Arigato... Sumanu de gozaru…. Sayonara..."
He wanted to let go now, and I thought you would want it to be this way. Tomoe-san, no matter what happens, I will make Kenshin happy, and will make sure that he knows he deserves to be happy, and that he makes me happy.
Arigato...for telling Kenshin that I was waiting for him. For smiling at him instead of Enishi. I know it sounds cold-hearted on the part of your brother... demo... Because of that Kenshin came looking for me… and Enishi saw that Kenshin never took advantage of you, but instead loved you and tried to protect you.
Arigato, Tomoe-san... I will make Kenshin happy. For you... for me… and for him...
The shoji leading to the kitchen slid easily. Kaoru was greeted with Kenshin's apron-clad back and a foreign whiff of something that smelled distinctly like radish soup.
Kenshin turned, a butcher knife poised in his hand. He beamed. "Ah, Kaoru-chan. Dinner is on its way."
Kaoru smiled faintly. She observed her husband silently. He was expertly cutting up the fish. The fire nearby was ready. A few strands of red hair clung wetly onto his sweat-drenched face, his ponytail loosened.
Kenshin paused to wipe the sweat away with his sleeves and continued. For a while, the sound of knife making contact with the cutting board was the only sound in the small kitchen.
Watching him, a sudden rush of emotions rose halfway up her throat. There was something she needed to tell him…
"Kenshin."
He felt her arms circled his waist. She leaned against his back gently. Perceiving a touch of urgency in her hug, he merely smiled. If there were anything Kaoru wanted to say, she would say it sooner or later.
The 'aroma' of fried garlic and fish tickled her sense of smell. There was also the faint scent reminiscent of pine trees and cool forests. She breathed in, relishing the closeness.
"I went to see Megumi-chan just now," Kaoru mumbled into his back finally, referring to their doctor-friend who lived just down the road.
"Oh? To visit her?"
"No, I was feeling unwell –"
Kenshin dropped the knife and spun around in her arms. He picked her hands carefully and pressed them close to his face. "Unwell?" He then touched her forehead. It felt hot, but not feverishly so.
Kaoru rarely gets ill. His brows creased in worry. "Why didn't you tell me you were sick? How long has this been going on? You need to rest. Come on, I will bring you to the bedroom."
Kaoru was careful not to giggle at the shower of concern. Instead, her eyes displayed nothing else but feigned pain. "No, Kenshin." She pulled away from his arms.
That subdued tone halted Kenshin dead in his tracks. "Kaoru-koishii, what is the matter?"
She shook her head slowly. "It isn't just any kind of illness."
He could only manage a pale "Nani?"
Kaoru thought she saw a flash of fear in those violet orbs. Her heart went out for him. Still, she had better continue.
"Megumi-chan told me…" Her voice trailed away, her head lowered.
"What did Megumi-chan tell you?" His heartbeat raced, contemplating what the doctor might have diagnosed her with. No, please, don't make it serious, don't make it life-threatening… don't make it anything that could take her away from me…
"Megumi-chan told me… to tell you…" She lifted her head and looked her husband fully in the eye. "That you are going to be a father soon."
Kaoru observed his husband's initial reaction, slightly bemused. He blinked, once, twice. The jaw dropped ever so slightly, and then his eyes widened in shock. "Anata, this is not a joke, is it?"
She reached for his hands, smiling sweetly. "No, dearest. I have your child," she guided those hands to her stomach, "in here," she ended softly.
At that moment, Kenshin Himura felt like he was on top of the world. He was going to be a father. Kaoru, the woman he loved, his wife, was to be the mother of his child… He searched Kaoru's eyes earnestly for hints of doubt. There were none.
She gazed back at him, smiling equally as radiant.
"Oh, Kaoru." He brushed away her hair to kiss her forehead. Light and brief as the contact was, Kaoru shivered in its lingering touch. There was a clear glow on Kenshin's face. A bright twinkle, a glowing smile. She blushed, noting how handsome her husband looked.
But then, she suddenly caught a reflection of water in his eyes. A lone drop of tear streamed down his scarred cheek. He's crying…
"Kenshin, you are not happy?" The thought of him not sharing her joy was painful, to say the least.
"No, of course I am. I am too happy that words cannot simply describe how I feel." He shook his head, and looked away. He looked sad, but there is something else too. Kaoru clutched her heart tightly, unable to discern the emotion in his eyes.
"It's just… it's just… I have a family now, yes? A true, true family," he continued quietly.
Then she knew he was thinking of his wanderer days. She could not understand the full extent of the loneliness and pain he must have felt, but thought it would be close to how she felt when Kenshin was out there, battling for his life in the war.
She wrapped her arms around Kenshin, hoping to comfort him. "You have a family now, Ken-chan. OUR family. You, me, and our baby." He pulled her closer, touched by the sincerity glowing in her blue orbs.
They stood there for a long time, quietly savoring each other's presence. Then, pulling back, Kaoru said: "Come on, you had better get dinner ready. I'm starving." Then she managed a weak smile. "I would love to help, but you know how I am with cooking."
Kenshin's arms remained encircled around Kaoru. He just gazed at her, lovely violet warming up her soul. Then, very softly, he whispered: "Arigato, koishii."
A look of bewildered surprise registered on her face. "Oh?"
Kenshin smiled at her expression. "For giving me a family. A family of our own." He leaned and hugged her firmly. "Arigato, Kaoru-chan, for giving me happiness."
Without waiting for any response, he let go and beamed like he always did. "Dinner will be ready soon!" he exclaimed loudly. He turned his back swiftly on Kaoru, and resumed his cooking with a heavier air of silence unusual of his generally cheerful character.
Kaoru stared at his back. Strong raw emotions suddenly surfaced as she recalled what he said. Biting her lips from sobbing, she let the tears roll freely. His words echoed and magnified in her mind….
"Arigato, Kaoru-chan, for giving me happiness."
Arigato, Tomoe-san… I will make Kenshin happy...
… And I did.
Holding a full basket in his left arm, Kenshin strolled leisurely down the beaten path. The dojo where they lived was just a few more steps ahead.
It was still very early in the morning. Out of habit, Kenshin woke up at the break of dawn and started with the house chores. He had just finished his grocery shopping at the nearby market. Doing the laundry would come later in the morning when the sun shone a little brighter.
Kenshin loved mornings. His mind was clear and the air was good. Also, the silence was rejuvenating. Kaoru liked to sleep in. Kenji was usually so active in the day that by bedtime he would have exhausted himself. Nature's sweet sounds accompanied him as he walked.
A soft, contented sigh left him. He had Kaoru and Kenji. He was happy. There was nothing more he could possibly wish for. A soft hum escaped his lips.
This peaceful life suited him more than the Hitokiri one. All he needed to worry about was the house chores that Kaoru had yet to fully master even if she was already in blooming motherhood. Kenshin certainly did not miss his past life, one that was built on blood and misery.
Shaking the depressing thoughts out of his head, he swung open the gate leading into the back yard.
The moment he stepped into the grounds Kenshin knew immediately something was amiss. Even though everything looked perfectly normal, his senses were going into an overdrive. His fighter instincts burned.
His heart beat so loudly it was the only thing he could hear. He forced himself to focus. Come on... come on! What is wrong?
Then Kenshin saw the puddle of dark red blood. And he noticed for the first time that the door leading into the dojo was ajar. And that the sandy grounds were disturbed by many footsteps.
He could sense it now. Negative, dark, violent ki. Faded as it was, its traces still lingered faintly in the morning air. Meaning it was present once before…
The basket fell to the ground with a resounding thump, along with its contents.
"KAORU! KENJI!"
TBC
Japanese-to-English Translations:
sessha – this one/this unworthy one. A very humble way to refer to oneself.
dono – a polite honorific
san – an honorific
arigato – thank you
sumanu de gozaru – I am sorry, that I am
sayonara – goodbye
shoji – Japanese sliding doors. Traditionally they are made out of rice paper.
chan – an honorific. More intimate compared to –san.
koishii – sweetheart, dear
nani – what
anata – you, dear
dojo – training ground
hitokiri – a term: Manslayer
ki – the closest definition I can think of is 'spirit', or 'aura'. Anyone willing to help with this?
Additional info:
Tomoe Yukishiro is, if you haven't already knew, Kenshin's first love. She died, obviously. But under what circumstances I won't tell, one because I myself don't even know, and even if I did, I'm still sticking to my don't-spoil-it-all-for-others principle. Hmph.
Akira Kiyosato is the reason why Tomoe got in touch with Kenshin. That's all I'm gonna say.
Enishi Yukishiro is Tomoe's brother.
Credits:
The italic verses in the tomb scene are the words of "A Tribute to Tomoe" from "Aishiteru - My Valentine For Always" (http:www.aishiteru.tk). I've left most of the parts untouched, only adding a few words here and there. I remember reading it and feeling a mix of emotions, and so I decided to use them in here. :)
Posted on 24/3/2005 4.00PM
