Endymion

By dee1600

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its characters. This story was inspired by Hyde's song Shallow Sleep from his Roentgen album.

Chapter 3: Monologue

I cannot really say she is my travelling companion, but ever since I rescued her from Shishio, the Lord of the Dead, she has not left my side. She had some difficulty using her legs then --- Shishio must have cast a binding spell on her to make her escape difficult. No matter, she has much improved and is now able to walk beside me as we go on our way.

Until now, I cannot explain the reasons why I saved her. I was supposed to come searching for my silver-haired maiden only to have caught sight of that spectacle. Something inside me snapped somehow --- anger, pity and rage --- and before I knew it, I had intervened.

I am still not used to having someone with me as I have travelled alone for 300 years years. She would curl up beside me when I sleep and I find myself entangled in her when I awaken. My paws are on her small breasts and I blush at the dirty thoughts that run through my head. When did this sudden attack of libido come from? Was it because I had been alone for so long that I want to make this child my mate? Attacked with a sense of guilt, I would run ahead and cool off in a lake before she becomes aware of my basic desires.

In a shallow sleep I dreamt I was seeing you

Just how I remembered
Brimming with tenderness
And somewhere in the calm
A feeling that nothing had ever changed
Your presence close beside me till I wake

The dreams with my beloved are getting fainter and fainter everyday. Sometimes, the loss is just too much to bear that I have to hide somewhere to cry and howl. Once, that child caught me hiding behind the bushes with tears in my eyes.

"Aoshi, are you alright?"

"I am fine, little one. Go back to sleep."

That child then enveloped me with her arms and I let her hold me as she comforted me with soft whispers and tender pats on my back. She is a keen and sensitive child and knows what I feel even if I hide my pain from her. When she looks at me, she seems to see through my soul and understand what I am looking for. Is that why Shishio was so possessive of her? Was this her gift? Her power?