(A/N: Hey everyone. Stormy weather here at home. Yeah, it's been months since I last updated and I'm truly sorry about that. Consider this a late Christmas present. I was debating with myself about whether or not I should stop this story. Because…frankly, I'm starting to get tired of it. But I've decided to plow on through. It is after all, my very first RK fanfic and I'd hate to let it just rot here unfinished.
Lately, I've been doing too much thinking…too much work got in the way as well. Typical college kid with a load of classes. Anyway, hopefully this story will come to an end. Hope you all enjoy it and thanks to all those who read this fanfic.
Yes, this is chapter 7, numbered the last chapter wrong. I'll fix it later.)
Disclaimer: I don't own any portion of RK. The original cast in here, however, does belong to me.
A Reason to Live
Chapter 7: Reflections on a River of Blood Part II
Previously…
Jin closed his eyes as took his time to stop. Those memories brought him back pain beyond imagination. His childhood was tainted and full of misery, and those years of bloodshed made him want to throw up just thinking about it.
The Kenshin-gumi remained silent until Kaoru spoke up, "It must have been hard for you.....but how or what made you stop killing?"
The group looked at Jin earnestly waiting for an answer about his salvation so to speak. Jin tentatively opened his eyes and his face was furrowed into a frown.
"I remember that night clearly.....as if it had occurred just yesterday....." Jin spoke softly as his eyes wandered to rest on his katana resting innocently against the wall.
"I was perhaps only 11 or 12 at the time…" Jin said vaguely looking through the group as he relapsed into the shadows of a past far away.
(Jin's Flashback/Jin's POV)
The night the dark and bitterly cold as the ominous black thunder clouds filled the sky uttering loud rumbles that seemed to echo through the nearly barren city streets. The wind blew cold gusts of air through the narrow alleyways picking up random leaves and debris.
I shivered in the shadows of the alleyways that I now called home. My teeth chattered uncontrollably as I rubbed my callused hands against the grimy skin on my thin arms trying to stimulate some degree of warmth. I only had the torn and soiled clothes I wore along with the katana that I clutched protectively against my chest. My stomach ached and angrily protested in hunger with a low growl that shook my small frame.
Getting up, I went to the dumpster in the deeper part of the alley and began to forage through it in search for anything that would satisfy my hunger. The sky thundered loudly as I pulled a moldy piece of cheese and a half eaten sandwich.
"There's not much tonight, I'll just have to make do with this. I don't have enough money to buy anything from the baker." I said to myself out loud as I sat down, hiding behind the side of the dumpster that faced away from the open street.
Silently, I hungrily ate my "dinner" and forced myself not to cry as I felt the disgusting taste linger in my mouth before my saliva washed it away to a bearable taste. I reached into my gi to count what little money I had managed to take from my victims. I was fortunate to run into a few people from Japan and managed to obtain a few yen, not that it would do any good in America. Looking at the American currency I had left there wasn't even enough for half a loaf of bread and I knew I would have to replenish my funds soon.
As soon as I had ended my thoughts of my money problems, I heard the raucous laughter of intruders walking into my territory. I quickly stuffed my sack of coins back into my tattered gi and brandished my katana.
It started to rain softly and the sound of raindrops striking concrete filled my ears as I tried to concentrate my tired body on the uneven footsteps of my soon-to-be latest victims. I had never been caught because who would really care about some nobodies who just happened to have an accident in an alleyway. It was well known that there were various thugs that prowled around in the darkest crevasses of the small city, but none would hold a small malnourished orphan suspect of cold-blooded murder.
I peered from around the corner of the metal bin and in the darkness; I could determine two shadowy figures approaching. I smirked knowing that after this kill I wouldn't have to worry about decent food for a few days. Crouching in the shadows, I turned away listening to rain and footsteps, waiting for an opportune moment to pounce.
Bright white flashes of lightning flashed once illuminating my body, my heart thudded against my chest.
Again, a second flash caused a wicked gleam on the bloodstained blade…my heart speeds faster.
A third flash marks the signal to strike, my eyes burning a cold blue…my heart at it's climax.
As soon as darkness enveloped the alleyway, I unleashed three deadly blows upon the unwary couple and in a matter of minutes the only life that remained was my own and I sheathed the blade after the rain had cleansed the thick crimson liquid off. The once softly pattering rain transformed into a downpour and lightning illuminated the alley to reveal the horror I had reaped.
The thick blood was everywhere and I was coated heavily with it. With the sudden burst of light, I saw the faces of my most recent victims. They were like the others I'd slain, but their faces were unforgettable.
For once in three years, I had felt fear. The faces of my victims looked so similar to the faces of my dead parents. The faces of all the dead flashed in my face and suddenly remembering the memory of my parents and the horrible deeds I had sown, I looked down at hands, still heavy from the recent bloodshed despite the pouring rain. I felt disgust and an uncontrollable fear.
I ran.
Screaming at myself internally, I fled from the crime scene without a care to where my legs would take me. Salty tears mixed with the rain as I blindly ran through the empty streets into open forest. It had seemed like I had been running away for hours since the rain had stopped long ago until I tripped and took a tumble down a rough hillside and plunged into the river below.
I rose out of the cold waters gasping shakily for air. The sky had cleared allowing the full moon come into full view. I shivered as I looked down at myself to find that the rain had washed away the residue of blood. I gasped in fear as I looked at the river and found it stained with blood coloring the moon's reflection an angry red hue.
In fear, I struggled to get out of the water and scrambled onto the grassy earth shivering in the night air. Looking cautiously back at the water, I was relieved to see that the water was a crystal blue color instead of crimson.
Never had the weight of the dead and blood affected me so much. I was scared and lost as to what I should do from now on.
"Nee-san, I wish you where hear." I thought absently.
The thought of my sister brought back my memories of the rest of my family and of the promise I had made to Rei-nee. It was then that I made my decision to stop killing and return home.
(End Flashback)
"And since then, I've kept this katana to protect me until I reached my final destination…the Kamiya Dojo in Tokyo." Jin finished with a grim smile.
The Kenshin-gumi all released the breaths that they had been holding for the entire story. They were all amazed with what Jin had to go through. But it had raised a question in everyone's mind.
"Jin-san, what is your purpose for you to make the Kamiya Dojo your final destination? What do you intend to do here?" Megumi asked tentatively voicing what everyone had been thinking about.
"Ah, gomen…but I would like to keep that a secret for a while longer. Because the truth is…I'm not entirely sure yet myself. But know this…my intentions are in no way malicious." Jin smiled sheepishly.
"Your story explains a lot, de gozaru yo. I sympathize with what you experienced." Kenshin said slightly disappointed with Jin's poor excuse.
"Though I couldn't have slaughtered more than 20 people, the weight of guilt was tremendous. I can't imagine how much you suffered through the Bakumatsu and I admire your resolve to atone for your sins." Jin said as he smiled lightly at Kenshin and sighed wondering if he could atone in some way like Kenshin had for ten years.
Jin felt ashamed that even after his vow to stop killing, he had done nothing to pay back for the lives he had stolen. Kenshin had started atoning after leaving the war by helping people with his sakabatou. Jin, at this point, had no intentions of using a sword for fear that the nightmare would return…perhaps he could find another way. He watched as everyone relaxed and began talking animatedly to each other. Every once in a while he could feel their concerned stares, but he brushed them off with a smile and reassuring words that he was fine.
Later that night…
Jin walked out and sat on the porch of the Kamiya residence and leaned against a support beam, looking at the star-studded sky. He briefly looked back at the katana resting near his futon and sighed before returning his gaze to the heavens.
'I'll take care of that little matter tomorrow…' Jin thought to himself absently fingering the wooden floor.
'So many memories of the past…coming here seems to have ripped open the door to the darkest secrets of my heart.' Jin put his right hand on his chest feeling the steady beating of his heart.
His right hand then went up to reach for a star in the sky and closed his hand into a light fist as if trying to grasp a hold of the little light.
'So close…and yet…so far away. What happens now? Will we ever meet again?' Jin stared blankly at the sky once more before retiring to his room.
Reviewer Responses:
LadyKnight30: Hai, he did wait for the right moment. You've always been a pirates fan; I know you're looking forward to the Phantom of the Opera movie. Perhaps we should go together some time when it's released? Well, hopefully you enjoyed this little bit. Yes, it took forever, but it's here!
Altia: Yeah, the last chapter had a very dark atmosphere to it; it carried into this chapter too. I highly doubt there will be much angst in the next chapter though. I'm going to try to stuff more humor into this thing. It sounds so morbid now.
Prince Aoshi: Well, you're a new face. Thanks for reading my story, though I'm quite surprised that you found it and read it. My story won't be as great as Linay's or Chiki's, but I'll strive to get better in my own style though. I'd like to know how you came across my story, you'd tell me. I thought this was buried among the piles of other fanfics. Please continue to read and review my story. And actually your review reminded to get back to writing this fanfic, so I deeply thank you for that from the bottom of my heart.
(A/N:No Japanese dictionary this time. Most of these terms have probably been used in the last chapters already. After re-reading my past chapters I noticed lots of errors, so I decided that I will revise them after I complete the story.
Nothing really exciting to this chapter, but Jin's purpose is slowly being unraveled. I for one, think that I'm being too obvious as to why Jin is at the dojo. Anyone else agree? Anyone want to guess why he's there or what he'll do with the katana?
Misao and Aoshi might make their appearance soon, next chapter maybe?
Anyway, thanks again to all my loyal readers. I appreciate reading your reviews so please leave more, they make sessha happy.)
