A/N: Sorry it took me so loooooong,….and arigato gozaimasu to those who sent me their reviews! I woke up the next morning finding 5 reviews on the first installment of this story…..^_^ Thanks a lot my dearest readers! YOU gave me enough reason to continue this story.
There might be slight OOC's here ….. this one tried to be consistent with the canon but guess I can't do it,…gomen.
Anyways, I just finished the RK fanfic painting I dedicated to Kanzen….for her story "The Red Death".. Follow my deviant art account link on my profile to view it. That's all I can do to honor the lady now T_T…. I encourage all KnT fans to check it out,…
….,Here's chapter 1! Pease read and review.
DISCLAIMER: I think I'll be saying this for the rest of my life. I DO NOT OWN KENSHIN, ITS KENSHIN WHO OWNS ME,….
For those who are confused, After his first love's death, Kenshin tried not to kill again once the revolution is over. He had fought as a guerilla swordsman to protect the imperialists at the last war he participated in. But even after that, some circumstances do not allow this new vow because some are sill after the hitokiri's life. (actually the timeline is during the denouement of the bakumatsu). He wanders though, but not as the Rurouni we knew. The sakabatou hasn't been released yet. This is truly the Battousai, not the Kenshin with the "sessha" and "de gozaru". Kaoru is a 17 years old kendo instructor. She is living alone since her father died half a year ago.
The Freezing Fire and the Warm Ice
~Tiger-Lily~
CHAPTER 1 – Spinning the Roulette of Fate
Twenty feet away. Fifteen.
Ten.
His jaw clenched.
Five.
NOW!
Jumping off the ground like a phantom, he drew his sword from its sheath in a swift motion to charge towards his opponent. With a fling of his blade he already took down three opponents at once. He heard another hurtle of footsteps as he landed on a crouch.
" OooooohhHH!"
Kenshin let out a battle cry as he surged at the attacker. The blade cut through his opponent's guts easily. He stooped, letting the body lunge down in anguish. This was the last spy he had to deal with this night.
Even in the current denouement of the revolution, enemies still come to chase after him; wanting to have the infamous Battousai's end. Nobody has succeeded in doing so, though. With his striking God's speed, nobody could even stand against his Hiten-Mitsurugi Ryuu; count the spies he just ran into.
"Fools,.." he hissed through his teeth.
Flicking through his blade, he could make out the perfect reflection of the bloody image of the moon. It's not like this is the first time he had seen this. After seconds of letting the blood slide down the point of his sword, he settled to wipe it with a cloth when he felt another presence.
" Hassles, Himura-san?" a voice spoke in the dark. He turned back to deal with the familiar voice.
He didn't answer, the man broke the silence for him "..you cannot avoid them by merely travelling on foot.."
He suddenly felt the urge of answering back. "They're as usual, charging carelessly like the ones before.." he said, sheathing his sword in place.
"they wouldn't allow you, would they?..." he questioned, knowing he'll get his point. The young man kept silent
" ..where will you go now? …any plans about settling somewhere?.." he seemed not moved by the young man's restrained actions. He was used to these reactions because the assassin used to be under his command.
" ..,haven't even thought of it Katsura-san".. 'I don't even think that I'll even be able to stop myself from taking lives'... "I'm trying to stay out of trouble for the meantime…. " he answered instead as he walked past him, giving him a hint of discomfort at such a vague conversation. He formally bid his leave and departed.
'your life had taken enough bloodshed Himura-san..' Katsura thought dolefully.
He continued his uncertain journey, travelling farther from human sentient. He remembered expressing his gratitude to the landlady of the last inn he stayed for the past few days and left, not having any plans about his next destination at all. He didn't want enemies chasing after him especially now that he tried to carry on his resolve. But these last few nights he still had his fair share of tearing ribs and guts apart, seemingly unable to put his vow into action. Kenshin just stopped his trek when he came upon a quiet forest.
'It would seem that I would just have to camp for the night'.
He did not care to even bother about dinner and sat against a stump for a nap reducing the fire to embers. At least tomorrow he will have more time to think.
OoOoO
Before dawn, Kenshin had already left the place he slept last night. Clearing any sign of him dwelling there, he made sure no one would follow his trail this time. His journey went on, stopping only for a short meal and taking hydration for his body. The path seemed to stretch endlessly. The forests on either side never seemed to vary and ahead there was only a new bend in the road to tease him.
This morning when he passed a group of travelers, he had overheard them talking about trading ships bound to Tokyo; that trips would cease by this week because of the upcoming season and that the last passenger ship had just sailed last night bursting with travelers. Suddenly, his mind itched about Tokyo. Maybe he'll be able to formulate better plans there. And at the same time, he would also get a chance to stay away from his enemies and fulfill his vow.
But there would be no passenger ships now. Well, he didn't mind because he wouldn't have chosen it in the first place. 'The Battousai's smarter than that'. He wanted to be hidden from public eye as much as possible and he won't count on a passenger ship. But perhaps, a trading ship would. He knew private trading ships sail a week more than the passenger ships. He'd talk a deal to a merchant and he'll be able to sail his way to Tokyo without further hassles. Consistent with the thought, he found himself inquiring for private trading ships to Tokyo. 'Not a bad idea after all', he thought.
OoOoO
Kaoru had just finished scrubbing the dojo by herself. She is expecting Dr. Genzai so she decided not to give lessons today. She smiled, contented at the accomplished chores as she wiped off the sweat on her brow.
"I wonder how much they have grown up now", she thought as she pictured bubbly little girls in her mind.
She giggled at the memory of the old doctor's granddaughters. Last year, they spent winter with her at the Kamiya dojo and she felt overwhelmed to have them accompany her every now and then.
Dr. Genzai had helped so much especially since her father died. He had been their family doctor as far as she can remember, and they had been like a family to Kaoru.
"I'm sure they'll be hungry after their long trip, I must prepare a big lunch for them right away" she began trailing back inside the dojo when she was interrupted by a knock on the gate.
Surprised that her guests had arrived early, she squealed with delight.
"Cooomiiiiing!" Her happiness was reflected by the matching bounce of her step as she hollered blithely through the dojo as and came to meet her expected visitors.
It was the mailman.
"Good day, I see this is the Kamiya dojo. Is there a Kamiya Kaoru here?" he asked courteously.
"This is her" she answered timidly, slightly embarrassed. How many times would she ever remind herself to think before she flew off the handle?
"I've got a letter for you from a Kakuni Genzai" he continued as he handed her the letter.
"…a-arigato.."
Kaoru exchanged polite little bows to the man before he took his leave.
She closed the gate and half-heartedly opened the piece of paper. The crispness of the neatly folded paper told her of what was to come.
Kaoru-san,
I'm sorry but our visit there had to be cancelled because I went to help assist those who are affected by the war's denouement in Kyoto. I shall be staying until the end of the month. We won't be able to catch the last ship to Tokyo since I heard that the last ship will sail only for this week because of the gale of early winter. So we won't be able to make it even after this month. I'm sorry for the trouble.
I believe you needed tea and some medicine for this coming winter so I sent you a package I also included some of the medicine's recipes if ever you needed it. It should be there by tomorrow morning or the next day. Good thing I managed to catch the last public trading ship yesterday. Be sure to pick it up. Ayame and Suzume sends their greetings to you. Take good care of yourself Kaoru. We'll visit you by summer.
Dr. Genzai
Kaoru almost let out a whimper when she folded back the letter. Now all her efforts had gone to waste, especially the lessons she had missed for the day. And to think that she's going to prepare an all-out lunch when she's just eating by herself as usual! "Mou! –" she thought "they are more important than the lessons, baka!" she slapped herself at such a selfish thought.
Her plans settled for the next days. She would have to go to the dock to check on the trading ships. The old doctor had been kind enough to send her a package in place of their absence. He had mentioned tea and some medicines. Necessities for winter, of course. At least it would be enough to supply her for the whole season. Medicines tend to be expensive on that time of the year.
But she would be much more grateful for their presence than anything.
OoOoO
He gazed dreamily at the strip of water caressing the hull of the ship. They had left the shoreline of Tokyo an hour ago by sunset. He stood at the deck of the silk trading ship since dusk, watching the sight of water on the horizons. It plagued him; leaving the place he spent most of his lifetime and had most of his saddest memories.
A small ache lingered on his heart. It's not as if he's escaping, because he knew even escape won't erase the truth of his life. He believed with all his heart that he won't be able to escape the past. He stayed there for hours, watching the waters until evening.
He slid his hands vigilantly on the hilt of his sword when he heard approaching footsteps.
"we've made a fair trade this season,.." turning to meet his presence, the merchant beamed. "It's been a fair passage hasn't it?"
"hai, .." Kenshin gave him a curt nod. He wasn't used to strangers speaking to him in such a manner. At least he could put on all the formalities in his manner for the kind merchant. The man had granted him free voyage in exchange for his services as a lookout for the ship until it reaches Kyoto.
The night sky rumbled, from a distance, he could sense a storm brewing up.
"You haven't stayed in your cabin since we took off...does the ships facilities make you uncomfortable sir?" the man continued.
"Not if I could help it" his voice was flat. The cabin's comfortable enough, but being the assassin he was, he preferred to stay outside, keeping his senses open for everything. As the sky resounded again, the merchant awkwardly turned and went back inside.
Minutes passed, rain started to pour on the deck of the ship. He raised his sleeve over his eyes to prevent droplets from obscuring his vision.
Heavier beads pounded the deck, and as he was just about to go back to his cabin, he caught something approaching from afar. It looked like a ship, only smaller than theirs.
He can hear faint noises. As the ship got closer, shouting of men roared in his ears. Just when he found out what he thought it is, pirates began its assault to invade the ship. He drew his sword and stood in a fighting stance. Good thing he was trained to fight on board so he was able to maintain his balance.
The storm grew worse as the situation, when some of the thugs reached the deck they began attacking him. Some managed to get inside and as he fought with couple of men, he saw the helpless merchant being dragged outside by two masculine pirates, somewhat twice bigger than his own petite size. He was too occupied on his own. The water throbbed against his head as he fought the pirates. Leaping, he raised his sword over his head
"Ryu tsui sen!"
He used the free-fall of the sword to slash his opponents in half over their shoulders. Some came charging towards him again and he slew them in a single blow. Blood misted with rain. He was failing his vow again.
Two pirates came out of the cabins dragging out boxes. It doesn't look like it was one of the rare cloths he presumed the ship was holding.
'..what are those things? I thought this ship only held silk?' Kenshin was confused himself.
"we had taken down all the men down the cabin!" he heard one of the men shouting
"..where is it stored?" the bigger man asked.
"..down at the last door boss!"
The big man smirked ferally "..Take those drugs out and make it fast!"
His eyes widened. 'So that's what it is!' He didn't know he had just aboard a ship trading drugs! That's the reason the why the merchant asked me to be his lookout!
The 'boss' caught his gaze and stared back at him. "So you're a tough one, eh?" he remarked, looking around at the mutilated bodies of his defeated men.
"leave them to us boss!,.." one of his cocky men insisted.
"no!,… this man is MINE.. get to your own fucking business and prepare so we could blow this shit off right away! I'm going to blow this ship off with his dead body!" he smirked.
His ki raged. This arrogant man doesn't even have the slightest idea of who he's dealing with.
He unsheathed an oversized katana behind his back and rushed toward him. He couldn't tell if the man was just a match or he was just lucky to be able to avoid some of Kenshin's thrusts. Must've been the latter.
"Ryu shou sen!" Kenshin advanced toward the man when he heard an explosion. The next thing he realized was that his force was deterred in mid-air because of the impact. Bracing his body, he landed on a crouch.
"abandon the ship!" he had heard some of them yelling.
The storm raged to its fury. The pirates came scurrying back to their small ship in an unpremeditated rush.
"…there's a fire down the cabin! We have to leave this ship immediately or we'll be all dead!" one of the men bellowed to their boss. Taking advantage of the disturbance the coward followed his crew to the side of the ship leaving the assassin he knew would have torn his body to pieces seconds ago.
His fury reached dangerous limits when he saw them retreating. 'Oh,no you're not going anywhere!' His eyes glowed like sun in the darkness. He re-sheathed his sword and followed them to their direction while flames spread rapidly around the ship like miasma.
By the time he had nearly reached their spot, he heard another explosion.
A blinding light flashed. The next seconds went still.
The last explosion detonated the whole ship and sent the mutilated bodies of the pirates' flying through the air. Fortunately, he wasn't close enough to the explosion, because if it were not so, he could've ended like them. But, his body felt limp.
He heard a splash. He knew he was on the waters, thrashing violently to search for something to cling onto. Of course he knew how to swim but he doesn't have enough energy to plunge any longer. The water was shockingly and unexpectedly cold, which almost knock him senseless. When his head reached the surface, he couldn't catch his breath at all. His arms hit something hard. Miraculously, he caught a floating piece of wood. After a dazed second, he managed to lean on it and he felt his blood moving again.
He slowly drifted away from the carcass of the annihilated ship, allowing the steady waves to carry his body. He lost track of time as the storm ceased. He knew he'd freeze to death and would soon depart this world to his freezing hell.
His mind was clouded; he could call to only one,
"To-mo-e…"
OoOoo
It was cold
He couldn't see anything but darkness.
"is…this…hell?.." he asked himself
He looked for anyone, he looked for comfort. He found none.
"Shinta.."
A voice called to him. It was unfamiliar. It was different. It was,….comforting.
He searched where the voice came from
"Where are you?" he pleaded.
"…You're safe now.."
"Is that you Tomoe?" he cried out. Though he didn't remember mentioning his real name to her even once.
Turning around, he saw a woman behind him. Indeed, she isn't Tomoe. But he could not even see her features clearly, except for one thing he reminded himself …
She has the most magnificent blue eyes he had ever seen!
"..come to me Shinta…." The woman lured him to her. He felt her connection to him. The voice was almost music to his ears.
'… so reassuring'
He could feel her. He felt himself going to her direction. She was his peace. She was his comfort.
He fell into her arms, quenching the freezing sensation consuming his body as he clutched his body to her.
'She feels so warm,…..'
He snuggled himself against her neck. Drinking in her scent, he drew in something different than that of the scent of white plums which haunted his dreams.
'….She smelled of,…Jasmine'
Never in his life did he felt this kind of comfort. She was heaven itself.
"I'll always be by your side,.." she cooed to him like a child
"Please, hold me…" he pleaded "..stay with me, forever –
OoOoO
She woke up early the following mornings to wait for trading ships at the pier. By the third day she rose up and grabbed her haori anticipating that the ship she's waiting for would come today. She did not bother to change into a kimono since her haori was thick enough to cover the inappropriate.
Supple winds of daybreak greeted her as she took in breaths of salt-tainted air. Arctic gusts seemed to be blowing frequently, ushering the impending winter.
She glanced ruefully about the idle wharf…What if it wouldn't come today?..
For the next minutes she had been anxious, pacing her way up and down the pier and stopped near the planking when she caught a slump of an unknown mass moving under the foundation of the platform. Eyeing the moving bulk, she almost yelped in shock when she recognized what it was.
'Kami-sama! It's a man!' She gasped as she selflessly hurried off the edge of the planking. 'Hold on there!'
OoOoO
"..forever –
The last word he uttered sent him back to reality. It was almost daybreak. Surprised that he was still alive, he found himself desperately clinging onto a wooden foundation. He felt too weak to move. He has to stay in this state a bit longer. His heart prayed for redemption, until he heard a splash.
OoOoo
Removing her haori and her sandals, she paddled her way to the platform and yanked off the man at the underpinning. She ignored the weight of the man and thrashed their way to back the riverbank.
"Mister,…" she shook his shoulders, wanting to get any sign of verve from the man. He is wearing a dark blue gi and a light-colored hakama by which she can't identify the color because of its drenched form. Hanging laxly on his left was a katana. He must be a samurai, and from the look of things, he must have drowned, 'but for how long? '
He shivered from the freezing cold as a result of being in the water since midnight. He could hardly even move a muscle for he drained all of his strength clinging on the only foundation his body found.
She couldn't let him stay this way for long!
When they reached the edge of land, Kaoru shifted the weight of the man on hers, grabbed the haori she dropped earlier and flung it over the man's shoulders to keep him from shivering. It would be inappropriate enough without her haori, but with her yukata drenched – she didn't know she could feel any worse.
She remembered Dr. Genzai's package but she shoved it away from her mind. The package could wait. She only had plans on saving this one's life first although she didn't even know him. She turned her head nervously to see if anybody had noticed the disturbance. Her eyes searched for perplexed eyes... but she found none. Whew! No one saw! She was thankful she went earlier today before many people gathered at the dock.
Her slender yet strong arms supported his limp weight. She looked at the motionless body against her. An X-shaped scar carved his cheek. His face looked pale from exhaustion, wet hair burned red like blood tied on a now-unruly ponytail. He blinked his eyes once in a while with every bit of consciousness he had, trying to adjust to the light. She saw pale purple orbs. Dull…almost lifeless.
Drowsily, he opened heavy eyelids to peek at the rescuer, astonished to see a pair of blue eyes staring at him. It was full of concern. Then he suddenly felt that familiar wave of warmth again, bridging through their fastened bodies.
'Aoi… 'He thought. 'I never thought such color could be so warm' aware of the presence of the savior, he drifted off to unconsciousness.
TBC
Well,… how is it? Well I just came came over this chap again and I almost ripped my head off when I noticed A LOT of my mistakes… Gomen to those who are confused with wrong grammar and I bet it's a bit of a cliffie for you guys.. Hai hai. I know, Kenshin's a bit humdrum… But don't worry; more Battousai and Kaoru dialogue/actions awaits the next chapters. So hold on for a while.
I NEED extremely; juicy reviews most of all in this one! cuz It would really help me a lot if you do. Give me at least 12 reviews and I'll be sure to update soon.. I already have Chapter 3 moving so if you want it sooner, please send me your reviews…X3
J Luc Pitard: Actually, I'd rather to stick more to the canon but I realized that many of this story's elements would fall to pieces so I think I'd consider this semi-canon O_o…..XOXO ARIGATO FOR YOUR REVIEWWWW it made me focus more to the story's intricate details. More hugs
JMai: thanks for informing me….really I didn't know. But when I found out I felt so sorry for myself for not being able to meet her T_T yes she is indeed a wonderful person. I hoped she still lived to see what I drew for her stories. Now I'm thinking about dedicating a one-shot RK songfic for her. Thanks a lot.
Sumiregusa: Battousai is behind me while I was typing this chapter. He threatened me so I had to update whether I liked it or not. He's so bent on the readers without even thinking about my well being..*sobs like a child..
Hotaru Himura: don't worry, SHE won't interfere haha.
Reignashii: Thanks, ^_^… but I think the pirate scene is lame…. I just thought about the SHURA episode. I really have to do this anyway so we could move forward.
donhisiewen: well, here it is! Thanks bunches for the review…
MoonlightWriter101: I'm very, very sorry for taking so long! I really have to concentrate! Please forgive me dear… anyways, how did this chapter went for you?
Please,Please, PLEASE review! Love lots! T-L