*Disclaimer: No, I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, that I do not. Why do you think my pen name is what it is!?*
Follow the Sun:
~*~
He was smiling at her, so lovingly. "All right," he said.
All right...
He said yes... He actually said yes-!
Ami crept forward to him. It was chilly, and he seemed to project warmth, the way he was smiling so kindly. She came to his side and nestled into him, safe and warm. His arms came round her shoulders and held her to him firmly, a protective embrace. Here, she knew she would always be safe.
In the trees, Hiro watched stonily.
~*~
A bird's song woke her. Though she slowly became aware of the world around her, her eyes stayed closed. She didn't want to wake up. She wanted to stay like this, feeling warm remembering Kenshin. Her heart beat quicker, and her lips spread into a smile. She shifted so that she practically faced the ground, and allowed herself to grin uncontrollably.
He said yes, he said yes, she thought, a small tremble escaping her. She supressed the strange feeling deep inside her chest, the feeling that made her feel like wanting to scream. She felt like she could explode from the feeling. She hadn't felt this animated in so long. What in the world was wrong with her? She should act gracefully. She wanted to impress him.
She heard Kenshin move. She stiffened in her position, and was aware of the dirt on her cheek. She shifted once more, still pretending to be sleeping, and carefully brushed the dirt away as unconspicuously as she could with out seeming deliberate. She couldn't scrub harder with out letting him know she was awake, so she slowly sat up and rubbed her eyes, slyly rubbing the dirt mark off as well.
Kenshin turned to her, giving her a small smile.
"Have you gotten a good sleep?"
She nodded and gave a smile back. Scanning herself self-conciously, she got up from her "bed" and took a few steps towards him.
He was sitting with his back against a tree, sack not far from him. Ami quickly wondered what was inside it, but brushed the curiosity off. He had saved her, taken cared of her, and now, accepted the responsibility of being her guardian. Prying would be selfish.
He reached over and grabbed the sack and reached inside. In his hand was a strange looking food Ami had never seen before. It looked hard.
"Rice cake," Kenshin said, and reached out, handing it to her. He smiled apologetically. "That is all I have, I'm afraid. It is traveling food."
She examined it quickly, then took a bite. It had no flavor; it's job was merely to fill your stomach, not provide enjoyable taste.
It is traveling food.
Ami chewed a bit more then swallowed. She faced him.
"It's all right. It tastes fine to me," she lied. She tried not to feel too guilty. Besides, she thought, contentment spreading through her, if it's traveling food, I better get used to it. I'm sure I will, after a while.
Kenshin stood up, brushing off the back of his hakama. She looked up at him.
"You do not want any?" she asked, and confusedly held out her piece to him. He laughed a little and held up a hand. "No, thank you." he said. "I will save the provisions. Finish up, and we'll decide what to do."
What to do? Ami wondered briefly before it struck her. Where they would go. She smiled briefly to herself. It didn't matter where they went. Wherever Kenshin decided to go, she would follow.
Go.
Her eyes widened slightly. Leave this place completely. She had been so caught up at the idea of being near him, she had not payed too much attention to that little fact. She thought of her little home in the woods. All of her things...
Her things...
"I...."
He turned back to her.
"If you want to leave as soon as possible, I won't go," she said hesitantly.
What? he thought, eyes widening. What-
"But I still have things...at the forest. My things...I mean, the things I had finished making. I thought maybe I'd get them and distribute all of my projects to the villagers before we leave, but if you want to leave soon, I won't go get them."
Oh. He felt strangely relieved.
"I see. We may get them, if you wish. I'm in no hurry."
She stared at him for a while longer, wondering if he truly did not mind. Then, seeing he expressed no annoyance, smiled at him, and turned her gaze to the road and where it led. She stiffened at the exact moment Kenshin wondered if she didn't care about going past the drunk's house. Seeing the movement, evidently he was mistaken.
"I shall come with you. No harm will befall you." he said, coming towards her, sack over his shoulder, umbrella tied to it. He smiled grimly to himself. Already he was making promises.
Promises are meant to be broken....
The small saying appeared in his mind. He shook it off and followed her as Ami quietly strode in the direction to the village.
* * * * * * * * * *
I don't know why. I shouldn't be afraid. That man...but you see, Kenshin, Kenshin is here to protect me. I feel a little guilty, as we go through the forest. I wonder if I should make my way to the road. Does Kenshin prefer a clear path? He isn't complaining. I wish he'd give me an opinion.
I feel guilty because I feel I am depending on him too much. That thought I had just a second ago. Kenshin is here to protect me, so I don't have to be afraid. That means, he is given more burdens-! I glanced up at him, staring at his eyes. He could tell I was staring, I knew, but he kept his gaze to the road. I looked back forward. I was a little surprised, but not very. I could see the same spark in Kenshin's eyes, like Hiro's.
Cold, calculating, and clever. But Kenshin was not cold at all. Just serious. And he was very calculating and clever, I knew. Yes, he knows. He knows that if he gives his word to me that he'll protect me, then eventually my mind will relax and learn to rely on him, making me not worried and content, but at the same time, I know, it will be another burden. Another responsibility. And I don't want to be a responsibility to him.
What do you want to be to him?
......
Someone dear.
But I suppose...no matter what I do, I'll always be a responsibility to him. If he helps people...he takes on more responsibilities. Can't a man break from so much? A new thought.
I didn't understand. Was I making a big thing out of nothing?
I clenched my fists. Why were all these thoughts troubling me?
* * * * * * * * *
They were nearing the drunk's house. Kenshin glanced at Ami. Her fists were clenched and she was sweating slightly, the beads of moisture collecting on her forehead. They walked together, side by side, and as each step brought them closer to the house, each step brought him closer to Ami. He laid a hand on her shoulder briefly, then began a faster pace, hurrying them through, a few steps before her to locate any danger.
She saw his intent and kept her usual pace, letting him go ahead. Her heart pounded. Then, suddenly, she took a deep breath and matched her pace to his, catching up so that they walked side by side once more.
Kenshin stared down at her, a little surprised. Didn't she know he was trying to protect her? But as he saw the strange look on her face, a mixture of pain, nervousness, and hesistant determination, he saw what she was voicing to him in her own way.
By coming up to him and walking side by side with him, she was showing him that she would not sit around and let herself be protected. She would back off when it was evident she was of no use, but for now, they would walk side by side together, not letting him take the full blows.
* * * * * *
Kenshin's eyes flickered over towards the direction of the road, where the drunk's house lay not far from. He could see it, now. Ami peered around him and her insides squirmed. Her body stiffened, and both she and Kenshin quickened their paces. They walked; Ami with her held-in breath, Kenshin with his narrowed eyes, and they walked further, until the house was long past and Ami let out her breath and smiled at Kenshin, who smiled in return.
First obstacle, Ami thought. First obstacle together. Some obstacle, the shrewder side of her snorted, and she couldn't help but smile. She felt so relieved.
She faced him and smiled at him again, feeling almost giddy. Kenshin saw and he let out a small laugh. Then they walked on in silence, Kenshin musing, Ami smiling in contentment at being with him.
After a while, they came to the forest. Kenshin looked around, more aware of the surroundings. He wondered what was in this forest, if it had been a good home to her. Ami let out her breath as she saw the familiar territory and raced up the slope, beckoning to him joyfully. As she came to the small hut, she was struck by a thought.
Messy messy messy!
Oh, she thought inwardly, racing around, grabbing the strange assortment of objects and tossing them aside to make room. She picked up the sandals and was about to toss them away, when she heard Kenshin come through the narrow, roughly put together doorway.
"So this is where you live?" he asked, curiosity in his voice and eyes. She watched him nervously as he looked around at the cluttered hut. He turned, and she saw only his back. She didn't see him smile to himself as he saw the cluster of items.
A small craftsgirl, that she is...
He spotted a few more hand made umbrellas. As he went around, Ami was about to throw the sandals, but stopped abruptly as Kenshin's face turned towards her. She flushed. His eyes flickered to the sandals in her hand.
"You made them?" he asked. She nodded, embaressed.
"Hai."
Kenshin's eyes beckoned to her, and she gingerly handed the sandals over to him. Oh, damn.
* * * * * * * * * *
Kenshin had watched her expression. She was too tense. Was it time for some comical relief?
She had handed the sandals to him with a sort of guilty expression. Like she suspected something bad would happen. Which would. But not really. It never really hurt too much, after all.
Kenshin slipped out of his own sandals and began to slide into Ami's hand made ones. She watched him with a frozen expression, like a deer caught in headlights.
"Ergh. Eh, um-" she struggled. She rose a hand and took a tentative step towards him.
Too late! Kenshin thought, feeling strangely gleefull.
The sandals completely on, he stood up and tried to take a step forward. He found he didn't need to try and trip on purpose; She definately needs to practice making this thing, he thought as he fell forward.
"ORO!"
"Ah-" Ami choked, eyes wide, hand still traveling outwards.
"Oro........." he said, eyes swirling.
He lay there for a while, on his back, putting on a fake moan of fake pain. Ami stared. Kenshin sweatdropped at the back of his head. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea?
Just then, her lips slowly spread into a smile. She put a hand to her mouth, trying to cover it. A giggle escaped her. Then, she began to laugh out loud, shoulders shaking from mirth.
Kenshin smiled as he saw her and heard her laughter ring out. Children like her should laugh like that more often, he thought. Though, really, he wasn't exactly sure why him getting "hurt" made children laugh. But it worked, that was for sure. He lay back and listened to her peals of laughter. It sounded quite pretty.
Her laughter subsided, and after the last giggles escaped her, she came forward and stooped down over him, smiling widely. Her eyes were sparkling, and her cheeks were a healthy pink.
"Are you all right?" she asked, still smiling. He smiled innocently back.
"Ah," he said, using his arms to lift himself up. He brushed himself off, and Ami brought him his original sandals. After putting them on, she smiled again, this time, a little more abashedly.
"Gomen. I should've warned you about the sandals." she said, the talked about objects dangling off her finger by the strap.
"It's all right," Kenshin said airily. He looked around. "Shall we get going?"
Ami, still pink, nodded. She walked quickly around the small hut, picking up the best well working objects into her arms.
"Here," Kenshin said, untying his sack and spreading it open. Ami nodded her thanks and put all the objects inside.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Hey! Hey, look over here!"
"Lookit, kaa-san, see what I got?"
"Arigatou!"
The children and a few of their parents gathered round. Kenshin watched, smiling, as Ami passed out the objects.
"Nazen! What did you get?" A young woman carrying a baby waved to a small boy in the middle of the bustle. The boy, Nazen, held up his slingshot in reply and was about to make his way back to her when Ami stopped him.
"Nazen? Nazen!" she called. He looked back to her confused. Ami quickly passed out more slingshots and tossed windmills to random hands, then picked up a rattle. The little boy made his way back to her, confused.
"Nazen," she said warmly, letting the eager hands grab the products, "Nazen, is that your little brother over there?" She nodded her head over to where the young woman stood with the baby boy. Nazen nodded dumbly.
"Do you want to give a present to him? Do you think he'd like a rattle?" she asked.
The boy slowly digested the question, then nodded profusely, and broke into a shy smile as Ami dropped the rattle into his dirty hands.
The young woman peered at them confusedly, but then broke into a smile as Nazen pushed his way out of the crowd and waved the rattle and slingshot in the air happily.
Arigatou, the woman mouthed to Ami before ushering Nazen away. Ami's eyes shone. Kenshin watched her.
* * * * * * * * * * *
They walked down the road together. Ami resisted the urge to glance at Kenshin. She wondered if he thought she was just a foolish little girl.
"Where do you want to go?"
She smiled hesitantly at him. "I'm not sure...anywhere, I suppose. Were you planning to go to a certain place?"
"No."
"I see...then let's...follow the sun," she said softly.
He looked at her, surprised. She was, too. She looked at him, wondering why she had said such a thing out loud. But then he broke into a warm smile.
"It would be difficult to follow the sun," he said clearly. "It changes place every hour."
He was humoring her. She blushed slightly, then turned her gaze toward the horizon, where the sun was slowly making it's way out of sight.
"Then let's just follow the sunset...?"
She looked down, but could feel Kenshin's eyes on her. And then he moved forward, casting a shadow onto the ground.
And that was that. She followed him, a few steps back, watching the sun's last rays light his hair. Everything was enreathed in orange glow. She shook her thoughts away from Kenshin, instead thinking of today's success. She remembered the children, and Nazen, crowding around her and showing their gifts off to their-
......."Kenshin?"
"Hm?" he looked back at her over his shoulder and stopped. Ami wished that he kept going.
"Do you think...that lady with Nazen...do you think she was his mother, or his sister?"
"Why do you want to know?" he asked softly, regarding her carefully.
She blushed a little. When will I be able to stop doing that? she thought dimly before answering.
"I just...was wondering."
Kenshin looked to the sky.
"She was young enough to be his sister-"
Ami's eyes looked dull.
"And old enough to be his mother."
She glanced away.
"Souka...." she said softly. "I feel...bad for them...they don't have much, do they?"
Kenshin stared at her, eyes flickering. He laid a hand on her shoulder.
"They have each other. It will be enough for them, at least."
He turned away and began to walk again. Ami felt a bit of the weight in her chest leave her, and she followed faithfully behind.
~Owari~
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Author's Notes:
Ah. I loved writing this chapter. Oh, and if you don't get why Ami was wondering about whether the lady was Nazen's sister/mother...I'm not too sure either. I guess cuz it's usually bad for young mothers. So you feel sorry for them...I dunno. It just melted in as I wrote. And that "Follow the Sun" thing melted in as well. What the heck, everything melted in. The only objective of this chapter was to get them going! @_@ And...goodness, Ami swore. Was that too OOC? (I think that is Out of Character). Its just that when I was writing that part, I swore in my head too, and I consider Ami and myself to be psychically linked (as she is a product of my brain, we share a special bond, haha) so I just put that in. I hope it wasn't a bad decision.
Also, I put down the metaphor/simile/whatever "deer in headlights". I perfectly know that there were no "headlights" back then, but I just wanted you to get the mental image.
REPLIES: (my favorite part! ^^ That's why they're so long, gomen.)
AnimeAmba: *does a dance along with you* Yup! Now their journey can finally get started! It was a little obvious I suppose that he would say yes. After all, if he said no, how would the story go on? Ami cries, goes back to the woods, maybe gets caught by Gakuma again, or maybe not, feels depressed, kills herself in misery???! X_X' Exactly! So that will not, cannot happen! X_X' Synonyms?? I don't even know what that is! 0_o' Similes, Metaphors, and Synonyms. Heard of all of them in English class, but forgot what they all were. -_-' Are they synonyms things that have the same meaning? Aren't you able to use a thesaurus for those kind of things? There are such things online...
Haruko: Yeah, I'm hoping the action will pick up. 0_o' Like I said up there in the Author's Notes, suggestions for events would be nice! Events, as in things for them to encounter. 0_0 I have such low imagination. All I can imagine now for their travelings is nice peaceful events, "life" events, er...no action! X_X' Robbers, drunk guys....that's all I can think of. How sad. I'll have to hurt my brain for this one. And yeah, Kenshin is such a sweet guy. That's why I just love 'im! ^_^
EEevee: Stubborn lil bugger? You mean Ami-chan? 0_0' Heh. That's the problem with chatting online. Sometimes you can't tell if they're sarcastic, or talking about a completely different thing?? X_X' Sorry. Yeah, I'd expect Kenshin to look at it more than one side. I look at things, about...2 sides. I'm mostly one sided on how THE WORLD IS DESTROYING NATURE! EVIL! *is crazy, ignore me*
X_X' Anywayz...next chappy....may take a while. A long while. Oh dear. Especially since I've come up with a bunch of other fic ideas. Heh. Its messed up. See ya!
PS, Oh yeah, in case anyone didn't know, Souka means "I see." At least, I'm pretty sure it does. ^_^