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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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A Love Story
“Most of all, there is caustic shame for my own stupidity.”
--Scott Turow
Himura Kenshin, violet
eyes narrowed to a cold, flat blue, sat in the darkened room appointed to him
by Okina at the Aoiya, secret headquarters of the Oniwabanshu, an elite group
of ninja from Kyoto formerly led by Shinomori Aoshi, now under the command of
Makimachi Misao, lips pressed tightly together and tilted into a downward frown
of disapproval, one leg folded under his body, the other bent, knee tucked up
to his chest, one arm wrapped around it hugging it close, his sakabatou leaning
against his shoulder and his free hand gripping the saya tight enough his knuckles
turned white. He didn’t like being lied
to not did he take kindly to being played for a fool. He grimaced at the thought and then sighed. “I do a fairly good imitation of one without
any help…”
“What are you muttering
about, Himura?” Misao slid the shouji
open and stepped into the dim room with a concerned frown when she didn’t
receive a reply. “Are you all right?”
“Never better.” He snapped irritably in a most
un-rurouni-ish way and then winced when he caught sight of her startled
expression. He sighed and offered her
an apologetic smile, aiming for his habitual cheerfulness and falling well
short of his goal. “I’m sorry, Misao-dono,
that I am.”
Misao studied his tight
features and rather wan smile with a frown.
She had a feeling she knew what had upset him. She shook her head slightly and offered him a soft, understanding
smile. She knew what it was like to
suffer silently and alone from a broken heart.
She leaned close and placed her hand lightly on his shoulder, wincing at
how rigidly he held himself, muscles hard and tense. “I’m a pretty good listener if you need to talk, Himura.”
Kenshin looked up
slowly and met Misao’s understanding green gaze. He smiled a little more naturally, not quite reaching his usual
level of rurouni cheer, but not falling flat either. Studying her pretty features he sighed inwardly and reached up to
cover her hand with one of his own, squeezing gently. “Aoshi is a damned fool.”
Startled, Misao could
only stare in wide-eyed surprise at her friend, his softly spoken words echoing
in her mind. Dimly she was aware that
he was serious, his normally soft violet eyes darkened to an almost grayish
blue, as he continued to regard her solemnly.
She cleared her throat nervously and licked suddenly dry lips before
attempting to speak. “Himura?” His name emerged on a barely audible whisper
as she found herself leaning closer, drawn by the intensity of his gaze.
He blinked, quickly
averting his gaze, and the moment passed.
What are you doing?! He
asked himself harshly. Misao only
was offering comfort as one understanding friend to another, nothing more. He glanced at her from the corner of his
eye, seeing her blush and confused expression.
He silently cursed himself and his thoughtlessness. She didn’t need added complications in her
life at this point, not with the wounds caused by Aoshi’s rejection and
subsequent betrayal so freshly inflicted upon her young heart. He frowned slightly as another thought
occurred to him: Did she even know
about Aoshi and Megumi? Kenshin
studied Misao, noting each subtle nuance in her expression, body language and
ki, seeing the hurt bewilderment and anger as well as confusion and
anxiety. Despite seeing all of this, he
was no closer to answering his question.
“Misao-dono…” He began, only to be interrupted.
“Yes, Himura, I
know.” She bowed her dark head, long
braid slipping over her shoulder as she slowly lowered herself to the
floor. “I heard Megumi and Sanosuke in
the garden.” She whispered in response
to his unspoken question. “I heard them
talking about…things.” She lifter her
gaze back to his and smiled, a slight upward curve of her lips. “When did you find out?”
Knowing that she wasn’t
referring to Shinomori Aoshi and Takani Megumi’s affair, he smiled sheepishly,
raising his hand to the back of his head in a gesture of embarrassment. “Tonight.”
He admitted softly, his smile widening into a grin as he shook his head
at the irony of the situation. “Thought
now that I think on it, I should’ve seen it sooner.” He shrugged carelessly and blinked in surprise when Misao threw
her arms around him, hugging him tightly.
“Oro?”
“Oh Himura! You don’t have to pretend…not with me!” Misao tightened her hold, ignoring his
stuttered exclamations of surprise and protest. “Just let it all out…I’m here for you.”
“Ororororo…” Was all
Kenshin could think to say.
**To Be Continued…**
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