Takes Place after Edo Blossom.
Prologue ~ Hope?~
His eyes fluttered against the pale light of the sky, and the man's consciousness steadily rose through the layers of his mind. Dazed as he was, the man was still able to build a picture of his situation. He was lying flat on his back and covered in his long coat and furs, but he wasn't on the ground. This particular revelation sent a jolt of alarm through him.
He hadn't intended to groan as he sat up but that's exactly what sound escaped his lips. He was in a topless wagon, exposed to the air and light rain, where he could see everything around him, including the large man guiding the horse.
"Still with us then, little man," he remarked. His voice had a rich timbre that spoke of experience and age. "I was beginning to wonder," he continued. "That was quite the injury after all."
The man worked furiously to recall recent events, his hand reaching up to investigate his head. His brown hair was messy and felt like something was stuck within it. His hand drifted down to his abdomen and...
Chizuru's widened eyes, he could recall. Shaking, he could see the sword buried deep in his abdomen, blood sprayed out and it created a pool under her in mere seconds.
"Chizuru," he murmured.
A tear slid down the man's cheek as he focused back on his current situation.
"Where are my things?" he demanded, his focus shifting between their environment and the contents of the wagon, most of which were concealed under a tarp. "Back there with you," the stranger reassured. The brunette man lifted the tarp and saw the old clothes he carried with him for the trip. However...!
"Where is my sword?" He asked.
"I'd forget about it if I were you - it's lost."
The brunette man frowned as he could remember exactly where he had left it. "Lost?" he echoed. Something changed in the big man's expression, he could clearly see it. There was silence for a couple of seconds.
"Where are we?" The brunette questioned, his irritation mounting under the piling disorientation. "And who are you?"
"You've got quite the wicked tone for someone who was saved from being left for dead. We are on the road to the sea."
"I would have been fine," The brunette man said."Where were you taking me?"
The man licked his lips as a smile cut through his beard. "You've got some trust issues, young fella."
The brunette pulled himself off the wagon and started to walk, despite the pain he felt in his body.
"Come now," The big man suggested. "It's another day on the road and the weather is about to turn. You can camp with me. I've got enough food for us both." Unaccustomed to the generosity, the brunette man had no ready reply. "I'll walk," he said with a shake of the head.
Nightfall came in and his savior made a fire under the shade. The light rain has turned into a heavy storm that they cannot travel through anymore.
Without really considering it, the brunette man found himself approaching the camp.
It was an immediate relief to step under the rocky canopy and be free of the relentless rain. Then there was the warmth coming off the fire, the flames slowly cooking a joint of ham.
He didn't know what to say.
"My name is Kenshin. There's plenty of room," Kenshin pointed out, gesturing to a spot beside the fire.
He simply nodded and took the offered space.
"Can I ask your name?" Kenshin spoke."What happened to you?"
"I was going to kill myself." The brunette man said.
Kenshin cupped his thick beard. "Why would you want to kill yourself?" The brunette was already shaking his head, regretting his lapse in secrecy.
"It's a long story."
Kenshin held out a hand to the rain beyond their shelter. "This storm isn't going anywhere."
He remained perfectly still, his lips sealed.
Kenshin eyed him across the flames. "You don't look like a man who's lost something. You look like a man who's done something and paid for it dearly."
The brunette man met Kenshin's scrutinizing gaze. He had nothing to lose anymore. He even failed to follow her in death.
" My name is Souji Okita." He said at last." I lost my soulmate, by my own hands."
The man crossed his arms and smiled." Well Master Okita you are in luck."
Weirded out Souji glared at him. Was this man mocking him or something? Kenshin leaned in to whisper in his ear." I know who you are, I have been watching you. I know the woman you lost, and there is a way to bring her back."
Anger bubbled within Souji; he grabbed the man by his throat immediately." Don't you ever dare mock me. Another word and you would be burned alive before you even know it."
Kenshin's smile grew even more, amused by his volatile reaction. "Easy boy and listen to what I have to say."
Too drained to argue, Souji let go of the man and his eyes drifted back to the crackling fire before him.
"I'm a demon too." Kenshin explained." The woman you lost is of the Yukimura royal bloodline. I have seen your future."
That word hit a nerve and he leaned over the man again." What in the world is…" He screamed, but he was cut off by Kenshin placing his hand over his forehead.
For a moment Souji could see nothing but a great bright light, and within seconds he found himself alone near a thundering waterfall and a small house he does not recognize.
Confused he thought" what is this?"
"Papa." He was made aware of a little girl standing a few feet from him. A brunette girl with pale skin looked at him with her green eyes.
"Come on, mama is waiting for you." she gestured toward the house. There stood Chizuru with her dark hair loose on her back, wearing an orange outfit that made her look even more beautiful.
Words cannot describe what he felt at this moment. This was a dream that cannot be. A life that would never be his.
His vision blurred and his head lowered as tears gathered within his eyes."This is nothing but a lie. I don't need to see this." Once he looked up again, Kenshin was in front of him. His expression was saddened. "That's not a lie. You could have this life, but it won't be an easy task."
"What are you talking about?" Souji yelled again. Thunder echoed in the distance.
"Certain demon folks can have a blessing that would bring them back for a second chance, but only if there is someone willing to do it."
Souji let his words sink in for a moment, there is a chance to save Chizuru from what he has done? Can this really be true? Or was this man mocking his grief?
A wide grin broke across Souji's face. It was his twisted mark. " If this is a lie, no one can save you from me." He threatened with his usual terrifying friendly tone.
Kenshin nodded, understanding why he was in disbelief." Listen to me carefully. There is a sacred mountain that has been passed down to legends over the years. Mount Hikami, no demon would ever know about it if you asked them.
The story goes is the spirits of demons reside there for a certain amount of time and then pass over to the other side.
You could say it's a limited purgatory, especially if they died in unusual circumstances." He paused for a moment taking his breath." Chizuru is there now, you can bring her back before she is gone forever. You can have the life you want."
Souji ran his fingers through his hair, he desperately want to believe he can have a good life. But it just cannot be. He was cursed. Tuberculosis would kill him. He could save Chizuru from what he has done, but then she would have to deal with the pain of grief, alone.
This was too much. There is no good answer to this.
"I'm afraid you are mistaken. Someone like me would never have a good life." He replied. " I want to die, and be at peace with her by my side."
"That's not true." Kenshin said with a smile." You don't know who I'm, since people assumed I died hundreds of years ago. My legacy is in the village of Yase."
Kenshin grabbed Souji's shoulders and gently made the grief-stricken man face him.
"I know you are sick, that's what's troubling you." He continued."You can find your cure within Mount Hikami. A blessing I bestowed upon you."
Souji's eyes widened in complete disbelief. Words were lost. " Why are you doing this to me?" He asked.
A melancholic smile graced Kenshin's face." Because You and Chizuru are a mirror of me and my beloved that I lost. I didn't get my happy end. That's why it's my desire to help you have a better end."
The rain started to fall even heavier as if the sky was grieving with him.
" Master Okita, your daughter is going to be healthy, a half-demon that would inherit some of my abilities. The princess of the Yase village would reunite all the demon clans and your kid is what would start it all. Within Mount Hikami there is a waterfall blessed with the power of the gods. All you have to do is drink, bathe in it, and spend four days there. You will sense your body healing ever so slowly. Then you must traverse the mountain's treacherous paths until you reach the shrine of the departed…there you would find Chizuru."