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 3
Kokuhaku
Walking
beside the younger man slowly, Kenshin sighed and tried not to show his
weariness as he tried to think of a way to avoid this visit to
Genzai-sensei. He didn’t want the aging
doctor to examine him for some reason.
He didn’t know why, exactly, but the thought made him uneasy. Glancing up at the pale blue sky dotted by
soft white wisps of clouds, he sighed again.
There were many things that had changed over the past few years, his
declining health being the least of his worries.
“Kenshin…”
The sound of Yahiko’s hesitant voice broke though the former hitokiri’s
disturbing thoughts and he turned to the young man with a smile, expression
expectant. “Do you want to see a
different doctor? Is that why you’ve
been so quiet?”
“No,
no, Yahiko. That isn’t it. I’m sorry for being so preoccupied, that I
am. It’s just that I’m worried about
sending Kenji-chan to school so soon, that I am.” Kenshin noted with a wry smile that he didn’t look convinced by
the explanation of what could be considered odd behaviour.
“It
was easier when Sanosuke was still here, huh?”
Yahiko hunched his shoulders and kicked at a stone on the road. “I’m not a kid, Kenshin. I can listen just as good as Sano could, you
know? If you need someone to talk to…”
He stopped and looked up when Kenshin placed a hand on his shoulder.
“I
thank you, Yahiko, that I do. You’ve
grown into a fine young man, that you have.
Sometimes, it’s difficult to remember that you aren’t the same boy Kaoru
used to chase around the doujou. I’m
sorry, that I am. Will you forgive me
for underestimating you again?”
For
a moment Yahiko was speechless as he stared into his mentor’s earnest violet
eyes and serious expression. With an
embarrassed laugh he recovered and placed his hand behind his head with a grin. “Ahh…don’t worry about it. You always worry too much, Kenshin.” When the older man didn’t laugh in return,
Yahiko sobered. “Hey, it’s all right,
Kenshin.”
“Thank
you, Yahiko. Perhaps I would like to
see a different doctor, just this once.”
With a weary sigh Kenshin leaned against a tree and slowly slid down to
sit leaning against the rough bark of the sturdy trunk. “But after a little rest, all right?”
Yahiko
couldn’t hide his surprise.
“Uh…sure.” He sat beside his
friend and father figure and reached down to pluck at blades of green grass
growing beneath the large tree shading them from the mid-day sun. “Does Kaoru know?” He finally asked softly.
“I
don’t think so.” Kenshin didn’t bother
pretending that he didn’t understand.
“I’ve tried to shield her from it, that I have.”
“You
shouldn’t, you know. She’s your wife,
Kenshin. She should know.” He glanced sideways at the man once known as
Hitokiri Battousai. “Maybe she could
help?” He offered hopefully.
With
another weary sigh Kenshin leaned his head back against the tree and close his
eyes, face tilted up to the sunlight flickering through the dense foliage
growing high above their heads. “I
don’t think anyone can help, Yahiko, that I do not.” With a gentle, but sad smile, Kenshin slowly turned to look at
the young man sitting in stunned silence beside him. “Do you remember the night when Kenji was born, Yahiko?”
The
younger man frowned uncertainly, but answered all the same. “Yeah, sure I do.” Suddenly he grinned. “How
could I forget when that little terror was born?” When Kenshin didn’t smile in return, he sobered. “Yeah, Kenshin…I remember. Why?”
Kenshin
closed his eyes again as if in pain, hands clenching into white-knuckled
fists. “Kaoru died that night.” He whispered softly.
“Eh? Come again?” Yahiko shook his head sharply, expression revealing his concern
for the older man and confusion at what he considered a very odd
statement. “Kaoru’s just fine,
Kenshin. We just left her at the
doujou, remember?”
Kenshin
nodded. “This is true. But it doesn’t change the fact that she died
giving birth to Kenji, that it does not.”
The
young man scratched his head with a scowl.
“You’re not making any sense, Kenshin.
How could Kaoru have died but still be alive? It just can’t happen…right?”
“It
did.” Sitting straighter, Kenshin turned
to face Yahiko directly. “This, Yahiko,
goes no further than between the two of us.
I don’t want Kaoru to hear what I’m about to tell you, that I do not.” His lips curved upwards into a slight
smile. “I don’t want her to worry, that
I do not.” He waited until Yahiko
nodded his assent, even if it was reluctantly.
“That night, five years ago, Megumi-dono came out of Kaoru’s room to the
engawa carrying a small bundle wrapped in a white blanket with tears on her
face and sorrow in her eyes. She told
me that there was nothing more she could do for Kaoru. I went to our room, but it was too
late. No breath remained and her body
was cool.” He paused, covering his eyes
at the remembered grief he’d felt…and the overwhelming sense of guilt. “A voice spoke to me, telling me things…”
“A…voice?” Yahiko repeated slowly, eyes riveted on
Kenshin’s sad expression.
“Yes…a
voice. I struck a deal with it…that in
exchange for Kaoru’s life…I would willingly accept the debt.” Bowing his head he allowed the memory of
that night to wash over him.
His
reverie was cut short when Yahiko cleared his throat. “Um…Kenshin…just what exactly was the debt?”
Looking
up quickly, eyes wide with surprise, Kenshin opened his mouth to answer and
paused, a frown puckering his brows.
“Ano…I’m not exactly sure, Yahiko, that I am not.”
***
Definitions:
Mamorigami: Guardian (Deity)
Kokuhaku: 1. confession (revelation of one’s secret)