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
Chapter 16
Kaiketsuhou
Kenshin’s eyes opened slowly. He blinked against the glare of the sun,
raising his hands to shield his sensitive eyes from the blaring light stabbing
through his head. With a soft groan he
turned his head in an attempt to block the sun’s over-bright rays, covering his
eyes with one hand while running his fingers through the wild tangle of his
hair, wincing when they caught on a few snarls and tugged against his sensitive
scalp. A scent wafted past his nose and
he sniffed, attempting to identify the familiar odor. Slowly, he became aware of sound…the sounds of water. Brow crinkling into a puzzled frown, Kenshin
tried again to lower his hand and peer around himself, but again, the stabbing
light hindered his attempt. Simply put,
it hurt too much. So, he laid with his
hand covering his eyes, trying to discern where he could possibly be by using
his other senses.
Suddenly he sat upright, a startled cry
emerging from his throat as one very important piece of information penetrated
his groggy mind. He didn’t hurt
anymore. The constant pain in his chest
was gone. Almost desperately he pushed
back the sleeves of his dark gi and stared in disbelief at the unmarked flesh
of his arms. “How…how can this
be?” He whispered hoarsely, unable to
grasp what appeared to be a miracle.
Swallowing with some difficulty, he turned his wide eyes to his right,
where he could hear the steady shushing of waves against sand. He winced at the brilliant glare of the
bright sun glinting off the water, but didn’t look away. He was on a beach. But…where?
Biting his lip in growing anxiety,
Kenshin slowly stood, and froze halfway to his feet. Slowly straightening, he marveled at the absence of pain in his
body. For so many years…nearly
fifteen…pain had been his constant companion.
And now…it was gone. It was one
of the most amazing moments in his life.
He barely resisted the urge to run and jump and race against the wind up
and down the beach. He hadn’t felt this
good in so long…
Drawing in a sharp breath, Kenshin
turned and stared towards the tall trees growing along the edge of the beach,
standing rigid guard over the white sands.
“Shinigami…” He whispered softly.
It had been Shinigami, he was certain of it. The demon was responsible for this sudden change in his
health. He frowned, a memory tickling
the back of his mind, one he knew instinctively was very important…essential,
in fact, to explaining the sudden alteration in the state of his health. Turning fully away from the crashing waves,
he detected movement amongst the shadows beneath the tall trees lining the far
side of the beach. Slowly he advanced
towards it, expression grim and set with determination. “Shinigami…” He called, silently
congratulating himself for keeping his voice steady despite his thundering
pulse. “Shinigami, I know you’re
there.” The distance slowly disappeared
as he made his way across the white sands of the beach, the darker shadow
beneath the trees holding very still as he approached. Finally Kenshin could make out the amber
eyes staring at him warily and he halted a short distance from the being hiding
amongst the overgrown brush. “What have
you done this time, Shinigami?” The
words emerged sounding much braver than he actually felt and for that he was
thankful. In truth, he was terrified of
the demon Shinigami and the tremendous power at its disposal.
Done? Whatever could you mean by that… Kenshin’s eyes narrowed when
the amber gaze slid away from his own, the tone of the voice sounding
suspiciously like that of a guilty child attempting to hide their misdeed.
“You know full well what I’m referring to,
that you do.” He crossed his arms over
his chest and waited patiently for an explanation.
I merely altered our
agreement…somewhat.
“You did…what?!” His voice rose as he visibly paled, images
of his beloved Kaoru suddenly toppling over dead back in Tokyo filling his
mind’s eye and for a moment he panicked, his breath catching in his throat as
his stomach heaved, his heart stuttering with his growing terror. He took a shaky step back and stumbled,
falling hard to the white sand of the beach.
Calm…calm, itoshigo…your mortal wife
still lives… Shinigami regarded the man coolly for a moment. I have not reneged on our deal,
Battousai. However, I may have a
solution to our dilemma.
“Dilemma?” Kenshin repeated hoarsely, still caught by
the fear that somehow he’d failed and that Kaoru had been taken from him, this
time permanently. Slowly he stood
again, ignoring the trembling of his limbs.
Yes…you wish to atone for the sins
you committed as Hitokiri Battousai as well as protect your mortal wife from
the inevitable. You cannot stop Kisei
from claiming her forever…Death will find her, Kenshin, whether you make deals
with demons or not. However, you were
able to postpone the inevitable and had many years with her as a result of your
selfless act.
“What are
you saying?” It emerged on a whisper, a
sinking feeling settling in his heart.
She also committed a selfless act of
love…before you departed…you do remember your last night with your beloved
mortal wife…don’t you?
Kenshin
swallowed with difficulty and felt a flush creep up into his face. “Ano…” Shaking his head sharply, he scowled
towards the last place he’d seen Shinigami’s glowing eyes. “That has nothing to do with this, that it
does not.”
Ah…but it has EVERYTHING to do with
our pact…her actions have changed everything, Himura Battousai…
Kenshin
shook his head again, more forcefully this time. “No…” He whispered softly.
“Please…don’t…”
Itoshigo… The voice gentled,
became a tender caress. I wouldn’t
cause you unnecessary pain…our pact is binding…however…
“What?” He was almost afraid to hear the being’s
answer.
I don’t… Shinigami paused, amber
eyes swiveling back to the wanderer. I
don’t want to give you up again…not this time… The eyes narrowed, became a
burning gaze of terrifying intensity. You
are MINE!
Kenshin
recoiled at the possessiveness in the controlled shout echoing through the
unknown forest lining the beach of white sand, drowning out the crash of waves
rolling up out of the blue-green expanse stretching out to the horizon. Violet eyes wide with horror he began to
slowly back away, tripping on the tangled underbrush reaching out to wrap
tendrils of green vines around his ankles, he fell landing hard enough to knock
the breath out of his body. He shook
his head in denial. “No…” He swallowed
and shook his more emphatically.
“No…you can’t do this…I belong to no one!”
It’s already done, Himura
Battousai. I have already sent the
nijuushin in your stead…the doppelganger has already taken your place. You are mine… The final word echoed
eerily through Kenshin’s mind as he slowly sank back, lying sprawled, arms and
legs outstretched, in the warm white sand staring up at the cloudless sky,
marveling distractedly at how blue it was.
And in accordance with our pact…I claim the debt you owe me.
Numbly Kenshin shook his head, feeling
the grit of the sand beneath his hands as he slowly clenched them into
fists. “Three years…there are still
three years…” He whispered as his eyes slid shut, a shudder passing through his
slender form as he felt a soft breeze flutter near his face. “Three years…” The words emerged on a soft
exhale of breath.
Three years…yes…three years but you
must live, Kenshin…I will not let you die…and that is why I have done this…it
is done, itoshigo…I will not lose you again, not after so long in searching for
you…
“No right…”
He whispered, eyes still closed. “You
had no right to alter our agreement without my consent, that you did not.”
I had every right! I sent the nijuushin in your stead and I will
not alter that fact. The nijuushin will
take your place and will satisfy Kisei’s thirst for a death. You will be safe with me…always…I cannot
lose you again!
Kenshin
flinched at the desperation tingeing Shinigami’s disembodied voice. “Who are you?” He asked softly, eyes slowly opening to stare up at the bright
green leaves rustling in the wind against the contrasting blue of the sky.
Shinigami sighed softly and brushed its
fingers against Kenshin’s scarred cheek in a gesture of tenderness. I am Shinigami…and…your… The voice
paused, the last syllables drifting away to meld with swishing waves and
whispering leaves.
Suddenly memory from the storm, from
when he’d felt himself floating in an icy world of pain, flooded into his
awareness. Eyes widening in shock at
his newfound knowledge, Kenshin trembled and licked suddenly dry lips. “Hahaue…” He whispered just before he lost
consciousness again.
***
Definitions:
Mamorigami: Guardian (Deity)
Kaiketsuhou: solution; way out