Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic
Rurouni Kenshin & Samurai X Original Japanese Version ©N.
Watsuki/Shueisha * Fuji-TV * SME Visual Works Inc. * Sony Pictures
Entertainment
All Fanfics created by Chiruken (me) were written for the sole
purpose of shared entertainment and not intended for publication or sale.
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By: Chiruken
“It
wasn’t the eel.” I jump and whirl at
the soft words uttered in a cold, flat voice.
I take a hasty step back, then another, putting some much needed
distance between myself and the apparition before me.
“Goujou
na (bullheaded; stubborn; unyielding).”
The drawled words echo around me and fade into silence.
“Precisely. You’re too stubborn, Kenshin.”
I
shake my head slowly and watch as the younger version of myself…Battousai…steps
closer. “I don’t understand, that I do
not.”
“You
think to bury me so deeply within your subconscious that I’ll never come out
again.”
“You
aren’t needed now. This is the Meiji
Era, Battousai. You aren’t necessary
any more, that you are not.”
“I
am needed.” I shake my head in
firm denial. “Yes, Kenshin. You need me.”
“I
do not!” I draw in a quick, calming
breath. “You embody all that I’ve come
to regret. I don’t need you, that I do
not.”
“You
need me…you’re just too stubborn to admit it.
You need my strength of will, my driving purpose…and I need your
quiet resolve and gentle nature.”
“Oro?” I scratch my head uncertainly. “I don’t understand, that I do not.”
“We
are two halves of the same whole. I
need you just as you need me. Separate,
we are incomplete, one short step from the precipice falling into the oblivion
of madness. Together, we are whole and
safely rooted in sanity.”
“However,
you represent the violence in my nature that I never wish to resurrect again.”
“Yes,
and you represent the kindness I knew for only a short time. I want to feel that way again, Kenshin. I need to feel tenderness again.”
“Why
now?” It’s impossible to not be moved
by the wistfulness in his voice.
“Why
not? I’ve waited for over a
decade. I can wait no longer. Embrace me as I embrace you. Give up the
life of rurouni---“
“No! That I cannot do! If what you’ve said is true, you must understand…“
“That
you fear killing again. I know this,
Kenshin, but it doesn’t have to happen.
You…no, we…have a chance at happiness, of living a
peaceful life, but as long as you continue being a rurouni it will pass us by.”
“What
are you talking about?” I frown in
bewilderment. “I am happy and I
don’t need to renounce my…“
“Vow
to never kill again?” He finishes for
me. “Of course you don’t. Do you honestly believe that’s what I want?” He shakes his head with a scowl. “Baka.”
“Then…Then
what is it that you’re saying?” I
pointedly ignore the insult.
“You
haven’t been a rurouni…not in the truest sense of the word…since you met
Kaoru. Is it really so difficult to say
you like it at the Kamiya Doujou and want to call it home? You’re happy there…you have a family,
Kenshin.”
“True…What
you say is true, but…“ I frown
thoughtfully. “What is it that you want
of me Battousai?”
“Let
me enjoy it, too.”
“No. I can’t place Kaoru-dono in danger.”
“As
if I’d do anything to cause her harm.
Think about it, Kenshin. If I am
you and you are me, the same person, do you honestly believe I could possibly
do anything to hurt Kaoru?” He looks
insulted by the idea.
“This
could be an elaborate trap, that it could.”
“It
could also be the absolute truth.” He
moves closer, amber eyes narrowing. “I
want out, Kenshin. I’m tired of being
buried in your subconscious. I want to
live again…and love again. If you
refuse to meet me half way…“ He shifts
his stance, revealing the katana at his side and resting his hand on the
hilt. “I’m not above forcing your
compliance.”
I
reach for my sakabatou and mirror his stance.
“You are welcome to try.
However, you will find that I am no weak opponent to be swept aside.”
“I don’t want
things to be this way. Don’t force me
to push the issue, Kenshin. We need
each other.” I begin to slowly draw my
sakabattou. “Whatever happens here has
repercussions in the waking world and as such any actions either of us commit
will have lasting effects on your mind.
Remember that before you draw your sakabatou and challenge me.”
“Repercussions? What kind of repercussions?” I narrow my eyes suspiciously. He could be bluffing, trying to distract me.
“Physically,
nothing will happen. But mentally…“ He shrugs eloquently. “You have seen men damaged in mind but whole
in body, have you not?”
I
shudder at the ugly reminder of what too much violence can do to a person’s
mind. “So…you are still willing to take
that chance? After all, you challenged
me, that you did.”
“Give
me a chance, Kenshin. I promise not to
do anything…violent. I just want to
live again, that’s all.” He relaxes his
stance, then to my surprise tosses his katana to the side. “See?
I’m willing to compromise.”
“And
if it doesn’t work the way you say…what then?
Will you willingly step aside and return…here?” I gesture around us at the barren grey
landscape.
He
lowers his head with a sigh. “Yes. I’ll return to the emptiness if that’s what
is best.”
I
fold my arms over my chest and narrow my eyes.
I don’t trust him. “Who decides
what is best, Battousai?”
He
meets my narrowed gaze and smiles. “We
do, of course. It must be a mutual
decision.” His smile fades. “Like it was at the end of the revolution.”
I
nod slowly. “All right. We can try.
However, one violent action and you’re gone. Agreed?”
“That,
Kenshin, is open to debate. What if
Kaoru were in danger? Like when Jinei
abducted her? Or Saito threatened her?
Or…“
I
scowl in annoyance. “I didn’t notice
you sitting idly by in either situation, that I did not. Killing is absolutely not an option no
matter what the circumstances.”
“That
wouldn’t have happened if you didn’t stick me back here, you know. But I agree with you. Kaoru would be…sad…if we killed again.”
I
nod in agreement. “How does this work?”
“When
you wake up, we’ll be one. It isn’t
complicated at all.”
“Very
well…on a trial basis I’ll agree to this, that I will.”
He
smiles brightly, a strange expression on his normally impassive face. “I look forward to it. Now…wake up. It’s morning.”
***
Owari (end)
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Author’s notes:
1.Okey Dokey…For the record, I wouldn’t have normally used so many
Japanese terms (in Part One) BUT think about how they sound. The intention was to use words that sounded
like the animals originally sound. You
know, pigs grunt, hence a word that, when spoken in Japanese, sounds similar to
that: Ugoku. I mean really, does “Move” sound grunty? THAT was why I chose Japanese terms. Sorry if I confused the issue.
2.Next: When I write, I
usually place the definitions immediately behind the word in the text…BUT, this
has met with some dissatisfaction. I’ve
been told (and I partially agree) that it interrupts the flow of the
story. Hence, the definitions at the
end of the story. Would it be better to
place them at the beginning?
3.Blah.
This didn't end the way I wanted it to.
It got too serious.
>>shrugs<< Maybe
I'll have better luck next time.
4.Icky…way too much dialogue and not
enough action. Sorry. I'll try to work on that later.