Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin, and most of the
characters related to and featuring in the following fictional
stories are property of creator and master manga artist Watsuki
Nobuhiro, and no copyright infringement was intended in any way
in the creation of these projects. Used without permission.
~*~
The Light of the Snow-Red Village
Vignette Four - The Fires of Pride
Akai Kitsune
~*~
He was so arrogant, the first time I saw him. I wasn't sure what to think of that.
But it wasn't just arrogance. I learned that pretty soon. He was proud, and strong-willed. He spoke his mind without doubt or fear.
I suppose that, with the life he led, it was the only thing he really had left to take pride in.
A Tokyo samurai. That surprised me, a little. Tousan said there are so few real samurai now; most have retired as merchants and businessmen, or taken places in the army. Some even became bandits, hurting and killing people just so they could survive without giving up their swords.
Just trying to make a living... isn't that what he was doing, in the only way he could?
A child with no parents... what would I have done?
I sometimes wonder and - when tousan isn't paying attention - cry over not having a mother. A girl needs a mother, doesn't she? To guide her, to teach her and tell her how to act like a real lady. I missed so many things in my life, things I should have known. Sao-san taught me what she could, whenever tousan and I visited the temple, but it was never enough.
I was so selfish, wasn't I? Never thinking... how much worse off I could be.
Yahiko-kun... doesn't have anyone like that at all.
Tousan didn't tell me anything, but... I could tell that he had no one. To be forced down to the level of pickpocketing, when he had so much pride in who he was, who his parents must have been...
Descendant of Tokyo samurai...
Is that why he's so full of fury?
I'm afraid to ask him. He's always so angry... doesn't he ever get tired of it?
So defensive...
He can do so well, if he tries. I know he can; I've seen the potential that tousan first spoke of. But he gives Kaoru-san such a hard time...
He wants to learn from my father so badly...
What did tousan do?
I wish...
I wish I could have seen...
... I'm always there when he fights.
It's so rare for him to have a place to leave me behind, when he goes to fight. I've seen him in so many battles already... so maybe it really is selfish of me to want...
... why should it matter, really? Tousan would never teach Yahiko-kun... not unless he agreed to teach me first. He would never do that. Not to me.
But...
Yahiko-kun is a boy. A swordsman... would want his successor to be a boy, wouldn't he.
Iya! I can't think like that. I trust my father, and I've given up on Hiten Mitsurugi. I want to rely on my own strength, my own schools. I want to see what I can learn with his approval, not his instruction.
He's a wonderful teacher...
... but what he has to teach to me is not his sword style.
I hope that someday he'll know that. And...
... I hope that Yahiko-kun understands that, as well.
He has so much more... so much more to give...
And I hope that he'll never stop giving; not to me, not to anyone.
... No matter what...
~*~
Notes: Yes, yes, I know it's not Monday, ^_^;; Since my writing speed is decreasing somewhat, I decided to post this early. It's too short to just give this on Monday... my update days will probably be changing, but hopefully I'll have a full chapter waiting for you on Monday. For now, don't stone me for being a bit slower than usual...
This was just a little vignette from Hikari's POV, mostly about her opinions on Yahiko... not that you couldn't tell, ^_^;; I don't really like the title, but it was the best choice at the time, and due to time constraints, there's not much I can do about it... oh well.
Reviewer Responses:
kumo: Hm, maybe I ought to tone it down a bit, :P (kidding, kidding!) Yeah, I got a bit sick of Kenshin always saying the same things to everyone... so I decided to shift his character just a little bit to suit my writing more. I apologize to anyone who doesn't like the change... but I've heard no complaints yet! ^_^
Calger459: I'm so glad you agree, ^_^ I have to deal with a beta-reader who doesn't like Kaoru very much, so I've been very careful to make her character either likeable, or told off by the others if she steps beyond the boundaries. Let's see, did Kenshin send Gasuke through the ceiling? I'd have to assume so, ^_^ But I'll leave it to your imagination.
Oryo: Hm, Hikari getting in the way of Tsubame and Yahiko... as a joke, I think I suggested that to my beta-reader, and he threatened me with a whip and a pointed stick, ^_^;; I really like Yahiko and Tsubame's relationship too much to have Hikari invade it in that way, but she will have an effect on it, certainly. I've been trying to figure out ways to make the occurrences of the story a little bit different, so they're not repetitive. Big changes will occur in the distant future, but the current events are very difficult to rewrite, because I have no real inspiration to do so, -_- It's sad, but true... hopefully my muse will get some inspirational bursts soon.
chelle815: Well, as I've mentioned before, I'm following the manga for most of my storyline. In the manga, Kaoru did not go to help Yahiko; it was only Kenshin. I thought tha was more appropriate... because if Kaoru went, then Hikari would have to go... then I would have to write those scenes... blah blah... anyway, you know, ^_~ Glare?! *is shocked* Kenshin did not glare at Kaoru! It was just a bit of a narrowed look of disapproval. There's a difference. ^_^ BTW, thank you for beta-reading this for me, ^_^ The additional help was very much appreciated.
Crystal: *high fives back* You too?! No way! What are the odds... so it's great, EH? *grin* j/k... that omake was inspired by my beta-reader, but now he's denying it! How silly...
J. Liha: Many thanks for the enthusiastic review, ^_^ I'll try to update as quickly as I can, but lately the muse has been very finicky and uncooperative... plus I've been a bit distracted, ^_^;; But hopefully the quality won't decrease...
Jedi Brother Horace: I like your nick, ^_^ Heh, you don't like Kenji much, eh? Well, I didn't before, but since I'm writing him a bit differently in my other major fic, he's sort of growing on me... as for how far I'm going, it depends on the muse, as well as what people want. I do have plans for Jinchuu, but it's proving to be rather difficult just *getting* there, so I'm afraid that from now until then might suck (due to my strange blending of what's already written... I'm not really sure!). But I think my beta-reader will kill me if I cut it off too soon, ^_^;; so it will continue for quite a while. "Lone Dragon and Gecko", hm? *grin* Actually, I started reading "Lone Wolf and Cub" a little while after I finished Part I, and I haven't seen much, but it's a rather nice series. I was thinking of quoting parts of it, but I never got around to it... but your suggestion might make an interesting omake, ^_~
Chibi Summoner Diamond Weapon: Thank you, ^_^ I'll try to make sure that the ending does NOT come soon at all... I have big plans for the future; it's all a matter of getting there... but so much support is great help!
dan: I will indeed, ^_^
Thanks for reading... the rest
of the Tokyo Saga is coming soon, I promise!
~ AK
